Characteristics:

1. Window: Multiple windows allow different information to be displayed simultaneously on the user's screen.

2. Icons: Icons different types of information. On some systems icon represents files; on others, icons represent processes.

3. Menus: Commands are selected from a menu rather that typed in a command language.

4. Pointing: A pointing device such as a mouse is used for selecting choices from a menu or indicating items of interest in a window.

5. Graphics: Graphical elements can be mixed with text on the same display.