This document provides an overview of the Windows operating system and its components. It discusses the history of Windows from versions 1.0 to the current Windows 8. It describes the main components of a Windows interface like the desktop, taskbar, start menu etc. It explains functions of the mouse, how to highlight, cut/copy/paste text. It also covers toolbars, dragging and dropping files, file extensions, multitasking, the virtual keyboard, disk drives, and defragmenting the hard drive.
3. INDEX
Introduction
History Of Windows
Windows Server
Components Of Main Window
Mouse Function
Highlight, Cut/Copy/Paste
Toolbars
Drag and Drop
File Extension
Multitasking
Virtual Keyboard
Disk Drive
Defragmenting Hard Drive
4. INTRODUCTION
Windows is a personal computer operating
system from Microsoft , with some common
business applications such as Microsoft Word
and Excel has become a de facto “standard” for
individuals in most corporations and homes.
5. History of Windows
The first independent version of Microsoft Windows, version
1.0 was released on 20 November 1985. It was originally going to
be called "Interface Manager" .
Microsoft Windows scored a significant success with Windows 3.0,
released in May 1990. . The introduction of virtual memory, improved
graphics, and the ability to multitask helped propel Windows to sell 10
million copies.
As consumer computers became more widespread, Windows 98
included improved hardware and hardware drivers, Internet Explorer,
and eventually, Internet connection sharing. Released in 1998, with a
new release in 1999, Microsoft 98 was the first release designed
specifically for consumers, as opposed to the business or technology
set.
Windows 2000: Windows 2000 made everyone's lives easier by
increasing the number of plug and play devices compatible with the
operating system
6. History of Windows contd. . .
Windows XP: The system designed for ease and stability, Windows
XP was released in 2001, offering plenty of ease and functionality for
laptop and desktop users. The operating system was designed to
offer users help through a comprehensive help center, and it gave
users the ability to consume a number of different types of media
Windows 7: For this current release of Windows, Microsoft learned
its mistakes with Vista and created an operating system with speed,
stability and minimal system requirements. Microsoft ditched the
gadget bar from Vista, replacing it with a cleaner feel.
Windows 8: This latest Windows release is getting a lot of attention.
It also comes with integrated antivirus protection, a virtual hard disk
and a new platform based on HTML5 and JavaScript. It promises
faster boot time, touchscreen compatibility and the ability to create a
bootable USB flash drive.
7. Windows Server
Windows Server refers to any type of server instance that is installed, operated and
managed by any of the Windows Server family of operating systems.
Windows Server exhibits and provides the same capability, features and operating
mechanism of a standard server operating system and is based on the Windows NT
architecture.
Windows Server is generally capable of providing server-oriented services, such as the
ability to host a website, user management, resource management across users and
applications, messaging, security and authorization and many other server-focused
services.
Windows Server software include:
Windows 2000 Server
Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2008
Windows HPC Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows Server 8
8.
9. WINDOWS AND ITS COMPONENTS
The main components of
Windows when you start your
computer are the Desktop, My
Computer, Recycle Bin, Start
Button, Taskbar, and
shortcuts to applications.
After opening an application,
you will also have a window
with an active application
which will appear in your
desktop and taskbar.
10. Desktop : The Desktop is the very first screen you see after Windows
starts. There you find the folders: My Documents, My Computer, the
Recycle Bin and any Shortcuts for applications and files that you have
created.
Taskbar : The Taskbar is the row at the bottom of the Windows
screen where all currently open applications or files are listed.
Start Menu : Start Menu By clicking the Start button, in the very
bottom-left corner of the screen, a vertical window will come up with
the Start Menu.
Minimize/Maximize/Close Buttons :
Minimize/Maximize/Close Buttons In the top-right corner of your
document are the Minimize/Maximize/Close buttons.
11. My Computer
When you double click on the My Computer icon on the
desktop, it will open a window similar to the one shown
below, where you can navigate between computer drives
and control panel tools.
13. When you delete a file from your computer's hard drive, it is removed to the folder
called Recycle Bin. Files deleted from your hard drive are still available for restoring if
needed, unless you empty your Recycle Bin .
To restore the files, open the Recycle Bin folder by double-clicking the icon on your
desktop, select the file and then select Restore.
To clear the Recycle Bin, select Empty Recycle Bin and the files will be permanently
removed from your computer.
14. Shortcut
A shortcut creates a button or icon which typically stays on the
desktop and when clicked, quickly allows you to start a program or
open a file without having to go to its permanent location on your
computer.
15. Mouse functions
When you use the mouse ,you may click either right
button or left button.
Left click is used to issue commands to your
computer.
Right click displays a hidden menu related to the
object you are in when clicking.
By right clicking, you can operate different functions
such as -
Copy, cut, paste a file or text
Rename or delete a file etc.
16. To Highlight ,Put your cursor at the beginning of a word or sentence
you want to highlight, then click and drag your mouse to the end of the
selection.
When you have completed the highlighting your chosen area should
look like this
17. Copy/Cut and Paste Text : Text Copy/Cut and Paste Text Copy is
used when you want to have an area of text from a document twice at the
same document or in another document. You first select the area of the text by
highlighting it and then press CTRL+C, or go to Edit menu and select Copy.
Cut : Cut is used to delete an area of text from a document. You first select the
area of the text by highlighting it and then press CTRL+X, or go to Edit menu
and select Cut.
Paste : Paste is used to insert an area of text or image in a document by hitting
CTRL+V or in the Edit menu selecting Paste. ill appear.
18. Standard Toolbar : Standard Toolbars are rows of buttons
and boxes. When you click on a button or box, an application
opens or a task is performed. Toolbars normally appear at the
top of an application's window.
Formatting Toolbar : The Formatting Toolbar is used to
format a text using alignments, font type, font size, bold, italic,
and lists. It is provided in most applications.
19. Drag and drop : Drop Drag is when the mouse button is held
down while the mouse is moved. It is mostly used to move files
around in Windows Explorer or in some other applications.
Drop : Drop is the release of the button, after finishing dragging the
mouse. Here is an example of dragging and dropping a file from the hard
drive to the floppy drive in Windows Explorer: Select the file, hold down
the left mouse button and drag it in the direction of the floppy drive on the
left side. After the floppy drive highlights you can release the mouse button;
the file will be dropped and copied there.
20. A file extension is the three letters of a file name after the dot. It is
created by the application when you save a file. It is the way
operation systems identify which application to use to open a file.
Windows often doesn't list them when you are searching for a file,
but they are there. Examples are: .txt, .doc, .exe, .html, .jpg, .gif,
.wav.
21. Multitasking
The term multitasking means to be running or working in two or
more applications at the same time. For instance: You can download
files from internet while managing your files or word processing.
22. Virtual keyboard
A virtual keyboard is a software component that allows a user to
enter characters. A virtual keyboard can usually be operated with
multiple input devices, which may include a touchscreen, an
actual computer keyboard and a computer mouse.
To access virtual keyboard go to
Start Menu >> Accessories>>Accessibility>>Onscreen keyboard
23. Disk drives
• Stores application and files Hard
drive
• Used when you insert floppy
disk
• Stored files that you want to
transport or create backup
Floppy
drive
24. Defragmenting Hard drive
In order to organize disk space and clearing the
blank areas you need to defragment your hard
disk using an application called DISK
DEFRAGMENTATOR.
