Introduction to Computers Introduction to Operating Systems and Windows

Operating Systems Operating systems serve as an interface between the hardware of the computer and applications running Provides a standardized toolset or platform for applications to run on. Without this, every single app would need its own unique way to do basic tasks like draw to the screen, take input from the keyboard and write to the hard drive Moderates hardware and provides a way for applications to access hardware without having to worry about what specific hardware is installed. Without this, every application would have to make an instruction set for every CPU and graphics card it would want to run on

Other Responsibilities of the Operating System Provides security - Operating systems may require some credentials in the form of logging in with a username and password Managing the File System - The operating system is responsible for organizing and storing all of the data you are working on, as well as the data for any applications

Kernel The Kernel is the core of the operating system This is what loads into memory when the system boots up It performs most of the critical operating systems we talked about: Hardware management User security File system management Provides a platform for applications to run on Runs behind the scenes and does the bulk of the operating system work

Utilities These are the features of an operating system that most users will recognize and use For example; task manager and file explorer in Windows This tends to be the largest part of a modern operating system. A lot of design goes into this because it is the part that the users will see

Interface This is how the user interacts with the utilities, applications and kernel There are two types of interface: Command line Interface This type of interface is controlled by typing out commands for the computer to follow This can be a very powerful interface, allowing users to enter commands with modifiers and to make their own macro commands; lists of commands that the computer will automate Graphical User Interface (GUI) This is the more user friendly interface of the two. This interface uses icons and other visual elements to represent commands This interface is newer and requires more resources to run compared to a command line interface

Windows (Generic) Revolves around a GUI, but still has access to command prompt Very popular OS since it comes pre-installed in many PCs Left click is select, double left click is open, right click is properties/menu Alt-Tab switches between applications Alt-F4 ends applications Ctrl-Alt-Del will interrupt applications and open up task manager

Windows 7 Start Menu Start menu File system options Power options Main control center / frequently used apps File system options Explore the computer and configure settings Power options Shut down / restart / sleep / switch users Jump Lists Lists associate files or program features All programs Access to all programs on the computer Searching programs and files Search for info on the computer

Windows 7 Taskbar Taskbar includes Default utilities (Start Menu, Internet Explorer, Windows Explorer) Currently running applications Apps the user has pinned to the taskbar Users can also customize the start menu by pinning apps to it as well Users can customize the desktop utility in two major ways by adding Shortcuts - icons that will start applications Gadgets - Single purpose applications (such as a clock, calendar or calculator) This is in addition to the cosmetic changes users can make

Windows 8 Not very popular. Made to be a cross-platform operating system One code base was used for PC, tablet, ARM, phones, and embedded devices Ended up being poorly optimized for every task No start button, instead has a start screen with tiles

Windows 8 Tiles No start button, instead has a start screen with tiles There are 4 different tile types App Tiles Standard tile used to open an app Live Tiles Some tiles display update information on them. Weather and calendar for example Desktop Tile The desktop tile changes the UI from Metro UI (The tile/app based new interface) and returning to a more familiar style User Tile Provides options for the user account, like locking the screen and signing out

Windows 8 App Bar and Charms Menu The app bar could be brought up to display context-sensitive commands, features, options and settings The Charms Menu contained various operating system utilities Search - search the local device as well as the internet Share - allows you to send a file or other data with other Windows user Start - returns you to the Start Screen Devices - opens up management options for hardware devices connected to the computer Settings - allows you to configure various Windows 8 options and settings

Windows 10 Why was 9 skipped? Considered to be a return to form for Windows after 8 Combines design elements from different versions of Windows Moving from the naming convention of programs vs apps. Now all applications are referred to in the system as apps

Windows 10 Start Menu Combines Windows 7 start menu with Windows 8 start screen From Windows 7 Has the most frequently used apps on the left Has an “All Apps” button Has other utilities such as Power and Settings directly on the menu Able to pin apps to the start menu Taskbar works very similar From Windows 8 Has tiles to click on apps Has live tiles that are updated and dynamic

Windows 10 New and Unique A lot of functionality typically stored in the control panel is being migrated to the settings app Able to switch between multiple “virtual desktops” using the task view button to conserve screen space Cortana is integrated into the operating system. Cortana is like Siri; a digital assistant that can search locally and online, as well as set up reminders for users. It can respond to voice prompts as well as store your search history in the cloud in order to customize its recommendations to you