Know your way around Elementary

Applications

All the graphical apps are to be found here. You can use the Windows-Space keyboard shortcut (Alt-F2 also works) to save your mouse pointer a trip. Some users change the shortcut to just the Windows key, as is the norm in Windows, Unity, Gnome and KDE.

Indicators

Here you can access sound and network controls, notifications and shutdown options. The notifications area will alert you about System Updates, imminent calendar appointments and more.

Multitasking View

Open a couple of applications. Click this button, then add a new desktop and open other apps there. This can improve your workflow by designating certain computing activities to certain desktops.

Settings

Control all conceivable system settings from one handy place. Default applications, languages, parental controls and more can all be taken care of from here.

AppCentre

This is the easiest way to add or remove applications to Elementary OS. Click the icon to launch it, and you’ll find a selection of applications, including some specifically curated for Elementary OS.

Plank Launcher

Plank houses shortcuts to commonly used applications, and it also works as a dock for currently running applications (denoted by a blue dot beneath the icon).