If you're not clear on how to use the Windows key on your keyboard, check this out.
To open the Start menu, press the Windows key, then release it. You can press and hold the Windows key while you press M to minimize all your windows and give you access to the desktop. If you want to open Windows Help (no matter what program you are using), hold down the Windows key and press F1.
You can hold down the Windows key and press Tab to cycle through the taskbar buttons.
Finally, hold down Windows and press Break to open the System Properties dialog box.