Desktop and Desktop Icons

Icons and shortcuts to users documents and programs and the recycle bin - you can also create your own shortcuts to regularly used programs or documents

Start Menu

Shows Programs, Settings and Folders for the current user

Pinned Programs

Known as the Quick Launch Toolbar in Windows XP and Vista, you can pin shortcuts to your favorite programs here so you can launch them quickly

Taskbar

Shows running applications and allows you to switch between them by clicking on the relevant icon

Notification Area

Shows system icons for network connections, power, audio volume etc as well as notifications for background applications such as your virus/firewall software

Gadgets

Allow you to put information and fun items on your desktop, some are purely for entertainment, others more useful, like calendar, weather, news feeds etc