The user may view the contents of an object by double-clicking on the icon. Two things then happen: the icon background changes to inform the user that it is open, and a window appears with the contents displayed. Most objects also support different views; for example, a folder may have a Details view, an Icon view and a Settings view where the user may customize certain features.
A window in OS/2 V2.0 looks almost like any window in OS/2 Version 1.3, except that there is a different icon (called the small icon, mini-icon or title-bar icon) instead of the system menu icon. This aids visual association of the icon with the object on the part of the end user. This icon does not, however, support the same drag and drop actions that can be performed by using the icon on the desktop. The "old" minimize button has been replaced with a choice of a new minimize button (a small square) or a "hide" button. The maximize button is now a large square.
The user may also open a window by using its context menu; this menu is triggered by clicking mouse button 2. The user may then select the Open choice from the menu.
Figure "Different Objects - Different Functions"
This results in a cascaded menu being displayed. In the case of a folder the user can typically choose to look at the Settings, Details or Contents view of the object. This is an important characteristic of the Workplace Shell; the ability to work with different views of the same object helps the user to look beyond the windows and icons on the desktop to see the underlying objects and their relationships to real-world objects.
The Details view looks similar to the OS/2 Version 1.3 File Managers list style. The Icon view is used by folders to show the objects inside them. All objects have a Settings view which is used to change the objects' properties.