An automated banking machine (10, 30) includes a computer (32) that is operative to output a plurality of desktop environments through a display device (44) of the machine. The desktop environments may include a consumer desktop (54) and a maintenance desktop (58). The consumer desktop is generally empty of visual desktop elements such that when consumer user interface applications (40) are not producing visible outputs, only a background (55) portion of the consumer desktop is viewable. The maintenance desktop includes selectable desktop elements which are configured to conveniently launch terminal maintenance and configuration applications. The machine further includes input devices (46) such as a keyboard (52) and/or a switch device (50). A desktop switching application (36) is operative in the computer. The desktop switching application is operative responsive to specific input signals from the input devices to switch the current desktop between the consumer and maintenance desktops.