For a quick break from your serious computer work, try accessing the Easter eggs that programmers have tucked inside many applications and utilities. These hidden goodies range from mundane lists of the program's developers to unusual messages, eye-popping graphics, hidden features, and even entertaining games. All provide a short diversion from your otherwise-productive day.

Nobody knows who coined the term Easter egg, but it's a fitting description. All Easter eggs are well hidden, and to find them you must type a series of specific--and sometimes complicated--keystrokes.

Below you'll find some examples of the most popular Windows-based Easter eggs and instructions on how to access them. We've mixed the simple with the complex. And we've shown only a couple of screens because part of the fun of finding Easter eggs is in seeing the results.

One caveat, though: Easter eggs depend heavily on specific versions of applications. If you've patched or updated the application with a service pack, the egg may be cracked and no longer accessible. So if it doesn't work, don't blame us.

To see if your specific applications have Easter eggs, check out Eeggs.com or Egg Heaven 2000. Another popular trend these days involves hiding away Easter eggs in DVD movie discs. You can find out all about them at Dvdeasteregg.com.

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