Introduction to Windows

03/17/15

Operating System
Operating System is needed to run the Hardware of the PC

Operating System

BIOS

PC Hardware
Windows is an Operating System

Characteristics of Windows

Software

Operating System

Graphical User Interface

Direct Networking Capabilities

Dial-up Networking Capabilities

Printer Management Capabilities

Image Editing

Video

Operating System

Software

Runs the PC Hardware

Acts like an Interpreter between man

and the PC

Manages devices on the PC like disk

drives, printers etc

Provides additional functions like image

editing, video, audio etc

Character User Interface

UNIX, LINUX, MS-DOS

Character User Interface

UNIX, LINUX, MS-DOS

Users have to remember commands, very

difficult

Users have to type commands, very

tedious

Each command has multiple options

Any spelling mistake in command

generates an error

Bland unattractive screen

No graphics capabilities

Graphical User Interface

Windows, Mac OS

Users dont have to remember commands,

all commands appear on the screen

Users have to type commands, they just

have to click on the commands

Multiple options of commands appear as

check boxes, which can be selected

There is no question of any spelling

mistake in command

Attractive screen with graphics

Desktop
The screen that you see when windows starts is called a Desktop
Icons

The pictures the you see on the screen are icons

There are 3 types of icons

File

look like a page with bent corner

Folder

yellow color, look like a physical file

Program all other icons are program icons

Wallpaper
The picture that displays on the desktop is the
wallpaper

Desktop and Icons

Mouse
This device is used to give commands to the Operating System
Mouse Operations

Point

Move mouse over item

to indicate an item

Click

to Select

to Select

Double-Click

to Open

to Open

Right-Click

to get properties

Drag

Move/Copy items

to get properties or
run special
commands

Elements of a Window
Control Box

Title Bar

Minimize

Maximize
Close

Menu Bar
Toolbar
Vertical
Scroll Bar

Horizontal
Scroll Bar

Status Bar

Every Windows Application has these elements

How does it organize storage

Each PC has storage devices
Each storage device is given a name
Folders can be created in the drive
Folders can be created within folders
The topmost level of drive is called root
Files can be placed at any level of the
drive root / folder / sub-folder level
The Windows Explorer can be used to
view the drives and folders in a PC

Windows Explorer
Used to view the contents of your PC
How to Start it
1. Right-Click on
My Computer
2. Click on
Explore

Drives and Folders

Drives, Folders, and files

Taskbar and Start Menu

Start Menu

Taskbar

User Administration
Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, XP and NT versions allow creation of users.

Each user is identified by a Login Name and a Password

User is supposed to keep his Password a secret

Each user gets his copy of the My Documents folder wherein he

can store his documents, web pages, pictures and his desktop
settings

Without the login and password one cannot use a PC

Once a user logs into a PC he has unlimited access to the folders

of the PC and can modify, delete, or create any file or folder

The Administrator creates Users and assigns passwords to them

Users can change their own passwords

Networking with Windows

Windows allows PCs to be connected together in a Network

PCs are divided into groups

Each PC is given a name and a group ID to which it belongs

Using My Network places or Windows Explorer one can access

any PC

However, Login ID and Passwords for the PC have to be

provided

Only those folders which have been permitted by the owner of

the other PC can be viewed

If the other user has permitted, only then files can be copied to
and from that PC

My Network Places

Print Manager

Windows uses a Print Manager to regulate printing jobs. The print manager starts
in the background when windows is started

Print Manager allows you to connect multiple printers to your PC

When you give a print command, a print job is created and fed to the printer

Jobs are held in a queue until they are printed or cancelled by the user

Using the Print Manager, users can Cancel, Pause, Resume, Re-start print jobs

It can be accessed by double-clicking the printer icon in the system tray

Practical Examples

Viewing Contents of your PC

Creating a new Folder

Moving and Copying Files between Folders

Print Manager

Using My Network Places

Customizing the Desktop

Customizing the Taskbar

Thank You

Security Tips

Use strong passwords. Choose passwords that are difficult or impossible to guess. Give
different passwords to all accounts.

Make regular backups of critical data. Backups must be made at least once each day. Larger
organizations should perform a full backup weekly and incremental backups every day. At
least once a month the backup media should be verified.

Use virus protection software. That means three things: having it on your computer in the first
place, checking daily for new virus signature updates, and then actually scanning all the files
on your computer periodically.

Use a firewall as a gatekeeper between your computer and the Internet. Firewalls are usually
software products. They are essential for those who keep their computers online through the
popular DSL and cable modem connections but they are also valuable for those who still dial
in.

Do not keep computers online when not in use. Either shut them off or physically disconnect
them from Internet connection.

Do not open e-mail attachments from strangers, regardless of how enticing the Subject Line
or attachment may be. Be suspicious of any unexpected e-mail attachment from someone
you do know because it may have been sent without that persons knowledge from an
infected machine.

Regularly download security patches from your software vendors.