Windows comes with built-in accessory programs (small utility software) that help users in day-to-day tasks. These are not full applications but basic tools for productivity, entertainment, and learning.
1. Calculator
- Found in Start → Windows Accessories → Calculator.
- Provides basic arithmetic (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division).
- Advanced options include:
- Scientific Mode – Trigonometry, logarithms, exponents.
- Programmer Mode – Binary, octal, hexadecimal calculations.
- Date Calculation – Difference between two dates.
- Useful for students, professionals, and finance tasks.
2. Paint (Earlier Paint Brush)
- Found in Start → Windows Accessories → Paint.
- Used for drawing, coloring, and editing images.
- Features:
- Free-hand drawing with brush, pencil, eraser.
- Shapes (circle, rectangle, lines).
- Adding text to images.
- Saving images in different formats (JPG, PNG, BMP).
- Useful for simple graphic design, posters, sketches.
3. CD/DVD Player (Windows Media Player)
- Built-in media player to play audio CDs, video DVDs, and media files.
- Supports playlists, shuffle, repeat, equalizer.
- Can rip CDs (copy songs to computer) or burn CDs/DVDs (write files onto disc).
- Useful for music, movies, and presentations.
4. Notepad
- A basic text editor for creating and editing plain text files.
- Found in Start → Windows Accessories → Notepad.
- Supports
.txtfiles, simple coding (HTML, batch scripts). - Lightweight alternative to MS Word.
5. WordPad
- More advanced than Notepad.
- Supports formatted text (bold, italic, underline), fonts, images, tables.
- Used for short documents, letters, and notes.
6. Other Accessories
- Snipping Tool / Snip & Sketch → Take screenshots of the screen.
- Sticky Notes → Add reminders on the desktop.
- Character Map → Insert special characters and symbols.
- Sound Recorder → Record and save audio.
✅ Summary for Students
| Accessory | Use Case |
|---|---|
| Calculator | Math, scientific & programmer calculations |
| Paint | Drawing, editing, saving images |
| Windows Media Player | Playing CDs, DVDs, audio, and video |
| Notepad | Simple text editing, coding |
| WordPad | Rich text editing, short docs |
| Snipping Tool | Taking screenshots |
| Sticky Notes | Quick reminders |
| Character Map | Insert special characters |
| Sound Recorder | Record audio |