What is Operating System?

While Windows 10 users are not required to upgrade

 A computer software that serves as the central immediately, Windows 11 does have some new features
coordinator of communication, coordination, and worth considering.
control Windows 11, the latest version of Microsoft's desktop
(GUI) - graphical user interface operating system, will be available on October 5, 2022.
 Among the most popular operating systems are:
1. Windows Layouts that snap together
2. Windows operating systems are designed by Microsoft. Snap Layouts is another new feature in Windows 11. This
 Recent versions are: allows users to more efficiently arrange their programs and
1. Microsoft Windows 11 windows by grouping them together
2. Microsoft Windows 10
3. Microsoft Windows 8 Several Types of Objects in Desktop
4. Microsoft Windows 7
Linux - is an open-source operating system that is free to use.  Desktop icons – You can utilize "shortcuts" to open
Linux can be found on supercomputers such as those utilized commonly used programs directories, or files.
by Google and NASA.  Mouse pointer – The arrow that follows the mouse (or
 Popular distributions include: touch pad) movement and illuminates icons on the
• Knoppix's screen when you point to them.
• Linux  Start button – Start programs, open documents, find
• Gentoo stuff on your computer, and obtain help by clicking. You
UNIX - was one of the original operating systems developed can also power down the system by pressing the Start
for use on big mainframe computers and servers. button.
 Account Types / Categories  Taskbar - The long horizontal bar at the bottom of the
Different sorts of user accounts can be created by operating screen, divided into three sections
systems. Standard user accounts and administrator accounts
are the two most common account kinds in Windows. The Taskbar

User Accounts  Taskbar buttons - For each open application program,

 Administrator account – Allows you to make system some built-in Windows apps (such as Microsoft Edge or
changes that will affect other users. Administrators have File Explorer), and any applications that you have
the ability to change security settings, install and "pinned" to the taskbar, a button appears in the taskbar.
uninstall software and hardware, and create or modify To open a program or window, click a taskbar button.
additional user accounts on the system.  Task View - Task view is a new view in Windows 10 that
 Standard user account – Allows you to use the majority provides a command for generating virtual Desktops as
of the computer's capabilities. Most programs installed well as mini windows of all your running applications in
on the computer allow you to adjust settings affecting the middle of the screen.
your user account. However, you cannot install or  Notification Area - Displays the time and date, as well as
remove some software or hardware, delete files that are fast access to features such as audio control and a
essential for the computer to function, access other wireless network connection. It can also show the status
users' files stored on the computer, or change settings of a laptop battery's power level or whether operating
that affect other users or the computer's security. system upgrades are available. You can also choose
which icons appear.
Understanding Windows Power Options  Action Center - To open the Windows Action Center,
1. Sleep – While you click Sleep, the computer remains click this icon.
turned on but uses less power than when it is awake.  Show Desktop - Point at this button to temporarily make
The screen goes dark, and the computer fan frequently all open windows transparent, allowing you to see the
stops. Windows saves your work to disk. Sleeping mode Desktop, or click it to instantly minimize all open
is analogous to pausing a DVD movie. windows on the Desktop. By clicking it again, you can
2. Hibernate – This feature is only available on laptops. return all of the windows to their prior state.
When you select Hibernate, the computer saves all
open files and programs to a storage area before Mobile Operating Systems
shutting down the system. Hibernate mode consumes 1. Android is a Google product that is open-source and
no energy. based on Linux.
3. Shut down – All files and programs are closed, the 2. iOS (formerly known as iPhone OS) is an Apple product.
operating system is closed, and the computer is turned 3. Windows 10 Mobile (previously known as Windows
off. Phone) is Microsoft product.
4. Restart – Windows shuts all active files and programs, 4. BlackBerry 10 is a closed-source and proprietary
leaves the operating system, and restarts the computer operating system developed by BlackBerry.
without powering off.
Virtual personal assistants - which are voice-activated
What are the differences between Windows 11 and Windows services that use a natural language user interface to answer
10? questions, make recommendations, and conduct activities.
Among the most popular virtual assistants are: External drives - are hard disks housed in a case that is
1. Siri an Apple product connected to a computer through a cable as a peripheral
2. Google Now device. External drives give additional storage capacity for
3. Cortana from Microsoft user documents, photos, videos, and so on.
4. BlackBerry Assistant
USB Flash Drives - Flash drives are portable mass storage
Measuring Frequency devices that utilize flash memory chips. They are sometimes
Every computer contains at least one microprocessor. In a known as jump drives or thumb drives.
computer, the microprocessor is a silicon chip that performs
calculations and logical operations. The microprocessor is Digital Secure Cards (SD cards) - SD cards are compact flash
also known as the Central Processing Unit (CPU) or the memory storage devices with large capacities.
processor.
Optical Drives and Discs - Compact Discs (CDs) and Digital
Measuring Bandwidth Versatile/Video Discs (DVDs) are read by optical disc drives
Network connections (such as those in a cellular network or (DVDs). The disc is spun by the drive, and the data stored on
an IP network like the Internet) transport data from one site the disc is read by a laser.
to another at a specific volume per unit of time. This volume
is measured in bits per second and is denoted as bandwidth Desktop computer systems
(bps).  Apple's Mac computers.
 Personal computers (PCs).
What's Inside the Basics?
 a system board Desktop computers - are reliable and powerful, with enough
 one or more processors storage space (500GB - 1TB on average), a reasonable
 input devices amount of installed memory (4GB - 8GB on average), the
 output devices capacity to read data stored on a variety of storage media,
 storage devices, such as memory chips and other types and the ability to play music and video.
of storage media a power supply
Memory and Storage Connections - A USB connection is used to connect keyboards
A computer needs both memory and storage capacity to run to desktop computers.
programs and produce and use files.
Touch-pad - gadget allows you to move the mouse pointer
Random Access Memory (RAM) around the screen with your finger.
A computer needs to have a particular quantity of installed
system memory in order to process information. This Stylus - To drag an item, set the mouse pointer over it, press
memory is also known as Random Access Memory (RAM). CTRL, and then drag. your finger to the desired location on
the touchpad.
RAM - is used to temporarily store information. Data
and programs are read into memory from a storage Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) - Mobile phones link to
location and then transferred to the CPU from memory. cellular networks using one of two technologies

Storage - While you are working, a computer loads software Video Ports and Connectors
programs into RAM; however, the software applications • Video Graphics Adapter (VGA)
must be saved on the computer when not in use. • Digital Video Interface (DVI)
• High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) An HDMI port
Locations of Local and Remote Storage - Storage devices are and cable are shown here.
where programs and user files are saved. These devices may
be internal (located within Audio Connectors and Ports
the computer) or external (storage devices attached to your  Microphone – Pink
computer).  Line In-light blue (for example, a tape player or CD
player)
Commonly Used Storage Devices  Line Out - Lime Green (speakers or headphones)
• Hard disks
• external drives USB Connectors and Ports
• flash drives  2.0 black or white.
• memory cards are all common storage devices.  3.0 Blue
 3.1 Teal blue
Hard Drives - The terms "hard disk" and "hard drive" refer to USB Memory Sticks - A USB flash drive is a data storage
a core storage area within computer. Hard drives are the device having flash memory and a USB port.
principal data and software storage devices.
Compatibility - Considerations it is critical to recognize that
Magnetic hard disk drives (HDDs) - with moving parts are devices and accessories must be compatible.
used in some systems. A magnetic hard drive stores data on Infrared
platters, which are magnetically coated metal or plastic disks.
Infrared - wireless (or IR wireless) technology transmits data
via an invisible light beam.

Concerning Streaming and Downloading

Downloading - is the process of copying a file (of any sort)

from an Internet server to your device.
Streaming - is the technique of delivering a file to your device
in a continuous and steady stream.

LANS and Wide Area Networks

the two primary types of networks relevant to our discussion.

Local Area Network (LAN) – is a private, local network

configuration. A LAN is your home network, as well as a small
office or school network.

Wide Area Network (WAN) – is a type of network that covers

a large geographical area, often connecting multiple smaller
networks (such as LANs) across cities, countries, or even
worldwide.

own IP address, which is connected with an easy-to-

remember text address

IPv4 and IPv6 addresses

Providers of Services - You must receive Internet service from

an Internet Service Provider if you wish to access the Internet
from your home (ISP). An ISP is a firm that charges the public
for Internet access.
 telephone service providers
 cable television companies
 satellite television providers

Broadband technologies that are commonly used nowadays

include:
1. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) - One of the broadband
technologies that is a phone company-provided service.
This service operates on copper telephone cable and
can deliver speeds of up to 3Mbps.
2. Broadband Cable - One of the broadband technologies
that is offered by cable television companies and is
delivered via the copper coaxial cable used in the cable
TV (CATV) system.
3. Fiber Optic Service (FiOS) - One of the broadband
technologies that is supplied by several
telecommunications firms. This technology is delivered
via fiber optic cable.
4. Satellite Internet - One of the broadband technologies
in which three satellite dishes are used in this
technology: one at the service provider's hub, one in
space, and one linked to your residence.

Upload and download speeds

 Upstream is uploading data while downstream is
downloading data