Computer Basics

App / Application

A program that performs a specific task on a computer

Arrow pointer

Tells you the location of the mouse

Bookmark

A saved link to a website

Click

Pressing the left mouse button

Close

Shut, exit out

Command

Instruction that tells the computer what to do

Create

To make something new

Cursor

A blinking line on the screen that shows where you are typing

Desktop

Main screen of the computer

Double click

Pressing the left mouse button twice quickly

Drag

Move something by holding down the mouse button and moving it

Drop

Release the mouse button to leave something in a new location

Enter key

Key to press to go to a new line of text or to start a process

File

Unit of information stored on the computer, like a document, video, or song

Folder

An area for storing files to keep them organized

Go back

Return to the previous page

Hand pointer

Use to open a link

Headphones

Audio output device worn on the head

Icon

Picture that represents a file or program

Keyboard

A computer input device that uses a set of keys to put data into the computer

Keys

Individual buttons on a keyboard

Menu

List of options you can choose from

Microphone

Audio input device that captures sound

Mouse

Device that controls the coordinates of a cursor or pointer on your computer screen as you move it around

Open (a folder / a file)

Start a program or file, get into a folder

Operating system (OS)

Software that manages the computer hardware and allows you to run other programs (e.g., Chrome, Windows, macOS)

Power button

Turns the computer on and off

Refresh

Reload the page

Right click

Pressing and releasing the right mouse button quickly

Screen, monitor

Displays items to a user

Screen, monitor

Displays items to a user

Scroll up/down

To move your view on a computer up or down

Tab

A section within a window or web browser that allows you to have multiple pages or documents open at the same time

Toolbar

A set of buttons for common commands, usually located at the top or bottom of a window

URL

Uniform Resource Locator; the address of a website or web page

Volume

The loudness of sound

Window

The area of the screen where an open program or document is displayed