This first set of tips for Windows 98 will help you make the most of new features for the desktop, taskbar, and Start button.

Tip: Give your clicking finger a rest, using single-click desktop icons.

In Windows 98, you can change your desktop to operate in single-click mode, which allows you to open applications, windows, and folders the same way you do in your Web browser. To change from double-click mode to single-click mode:

1. Double-click My Computer.
2. On the View menu, click Folder Options.
3. Click the General tab and click Custom, based on settings you choose.
4. Click Settings and click Single-click to open an item.

Tip: Surf your computer the same way you surf the Web.

In Windows 98, click My Computer to open a window in a default setup called Web View. You "surf" the contents of My Computer similar to surfing in a Web browser. Along the left side, a panel displays useful information specific to the item you click. For example, if you point to a disk drive, the panel displays drive size and free space. If you point to a folder, the panel displays a folder description. If you point to a file, the panel displays document details and a thumbnail image of the file.

Tip: Get instantaneous desktop access.

The Quick Launch toolbar on the Windows 98 taskbar contains a new Desktop button. With a single click of the Desktop button, all open windows are instantly minimized. Click again to restore all open windows, or click a single icon on the taskbar to open only that application or window.

You can use any hypertext markup language (HTML) document, or Web page, as your desktop wallpaper. To make a Web page your wallpaper:

1. Right-click the desktop and click Properties.
2. Click the Background tab.
3. Click Browse, and locate and click the Web page you want.
4. Click Apply.

Tip : Clean off your desk -- remove all desktop icons from your desktop.

The Windows 98 Active Desktop allows you to view Web sites, updated subscription channels, pictures (including animated pictures), and more. If you want to see all this content without desktop icons getting in the way:

1. Right-click anywhere on the Active Desktop.
2. Highlight Active Desktop and click Customize my desktop.
3. Click the Effects tab.
4. Check Hide icons when the desktop is viewed as a Web page.

Don't worry-you still have access to your desktop icons. In Windows 98, you can add them to your taskbar:

1. Right-click a blank area on the taskbar.
2. Highlight Toolbars and click Desktop. The Desktop toolbar will appear on the taskbar.

Tip : Undo file operations.

Have you ever accidentally deleted, renamed, moved, or copied a file you didn't intend to? Windows 98 has added an Undo command-that works like the Undo command in Microsoft Office 97 applications-to every user interface window. Click Undo on the toolbar (if you are viewing a window in Web View), or click Undo on the Edit menu.

Tip : Add your most frequently used programs to the taskbar.

You can create custom toolbar buttons on the new Windows 98 taskbar simply by dragging a program file, folder, or Web site window onto the taskbar. Windows 98 will automatically create a toolbar button for that application, folder, or Web site.

Tip : Search the Web directly from your Windows 98 taskbar.

To search the Web from your taskbar, first open the Address toolbar:

1. Right-click a blank area on the taskbar.
2. Highlight Toolbars and click Address. The Address toolbar will appear on the taskbar.

To search the Web, begin typing a Web address in the text box, and AutoComplete will suggest URLs based on sites you've visited. Or type Go, Find, or ? followed by a word or a phrase.

Tip : Create your own toolbar on the taskbar.

You can turn any folder into a toolbar, complete with single-click icons accessible from the taskbar. To create your own toolbar:

1. Right-click any empty space on the taskbar.
2. Highlight Toolbars, and click New Toolbar.
3. Click the folder you want to become a toolbar, and click OK.

After you've created your toolbar, you can click and drag it to any location on your desktop-for example, you can anchor it at the top-, right-, or left-hand side of the screen.

Tip : Play Help hide-and-seek.

The Help system in Windows 98 has a new look. Click Start and click Help. When you click the Contents tab, you will see Back and Forward buttons similar to a Web browsing menu. There are also Hide and Show buttons: If you want to maximize the windows as you view Help information, click Hide to hide the Contents and Index pane. Click Show to view Contents and Index again.

Tip : Simply drag and drop to reorganize your Start menu.

In Windows 98, it is much easier to move programs, shortcuts, and Favorites around. Simply click Start and then highlight Programs, Favorites, or Documents. Click and drag the item you want to move to its new location. You can even move items up from submenu locations to higher levels for faster access

Tip : Discover new hard-disk space with Disk Cleanup.

Temporary files, Internet file caches, empty folders, and defunct shortcuts can quickly add up to a large amount of hard-disk space that's useless and wasted. But it can be scary to start deleting files willy-nilly. So, Windows 98 has made it easy for you. The Disk Cleanup system tool will help you locate and delete all unnecessary files. To use the Disk Cleanup tool, click Start, highlight Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, and click Disk Cleanup.

NOTE: You can use Maintenance Wizard to schedule this function to happen automatically on a regular schedule when you are not using your computer.

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