When you first start your computer you'll see the "Desktop" appear on the screen. The "Desktop" is what is displayed on the monitor of your computer.  Unless your computer has been set up to start a program automatically, your computer will open to the "empty" desktop area.

The Icons on the desktop are shortcuts to programs and documents that are stored on the hard drive of the computer. Some of these are present on all Windows machines, like the "My Computer" and "Recycle Bin" icons. Others are added by the computer's users. You can double-click on any of these icons to start a program or to open a document or window. (You can also click once on an icon and press enter.)