Define Windows Operating System? Why windows is popular ?

Definition: Abbreviated as OS, it is a powerful, and usually large, program that controls and manages the
hardware and other software on a computer.

The most popular operating systems today include versions of Microsoft Windows (like Windows 8, Windows
7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP), Apple's Mac OS, and flavors of the open source operating system Linux.

An operating system or OS is a software program that enables the computer hardware to communicate and
operate with the computer software. Without a computer operating system, a computer and software programs
would be useless. The picture is an example of Microsoft Windows XP, a popular operating system and what
the box may look like if you were to visit a local retail store to purchase it.

When computers were first introduced the user interacted with them using a command line interface, which
required the user to perform a series of commands in order to interact with the computer and its hardware and
software. Today, almost every computer is using a Graphical User Interface (GUI) operating system that is
much easier to use and operate.

Why windows is popular

Windows is a multitasking operating system that uses GUI to navigate. MS-DOS is a singale tasking operating
system that uses a command line interface. The user must remember many commands and have a basic
knowledge of programing to run DOS. Windows is much easier to use for the most part. Occasionally the DOS
command prompt comes in handy to do things when Windows cannot do a specific task.

Basic Features of Windows Operating System

Graphic User Interface

Virtual memory

Multi-tasking

Easy installation

Plug and Play PnP

Add/Remove programs

Networking support

Internet ready:Dial up networking and Internet explorer

Type of window
MS-DOS (Microsoft disk operating system)
Originally developed by Microsoft for IBM, MS-DOS was the standard operating system for IBM-compatible
personal computers. The initial versions of DOS were very simple and resembled another operating system
called CP/M. Subsequent versions have become increasingly sophisticated as they incorporated features of
minicomputer operating systems.

Windows 1.0 – 2.0 (1985-1992)

Introduced in 1985, Microsoft Windows 1.0 was named due to the computing boxes, or "windows" that
represented a fundamental aspect of the operating system. Instead of typing MS-DOS commands, windows 1.0
allowed users to point and click to access the windows.

In 1987 Microsoft released Windows 2.0, which was designed for the designed for the Intel 286 processor. This
version added desktop icons, keyboard shortcuts and improved graphics support.

Windows 3.0 – 3.1 (1990–1994)

Microsoft released Windows 3.0 in May, 1900 offering better icons, performance and advanced graphics with
16 colors designed for Intel 386 processors. This version is the first release that provides the standard "look and
feel" of Microsoft Windows for many years to come. Windows 3.0 included Program Manager, File Manager
and Print Manager and games (Hearts, Minesweeper and Solitaire). Microsoft released Windows 3.1 in 1992.

Windows 95 (August 1995)

A major release of the Microsoft Windows operating system released in 1995. Windows 95 represents a
significant advance over its precursor, Windows 3.1. In addition to sporting a new user interface, Windows 95
also includes a number of important internal improvements. Perhaps most important, it supports 32-bit
applications, which means that applications written specifically for this operating system should run much
faster.

Although Windows 95 can run older Windows and DOS applications, it has essentially removed DOS as the
underlying platform. This has meant removal of many of the old DOS limitations, such as 640K of main
memory and 8-character filenames. Other important features in this operating system are the ability to
automatically detect and configure installed hardware (plug and play).

Windows 98 (June 1998)

Windows 98 offers support for a number of new technologies, including FAT32, AGP, MMX, USB, DVD, and
ACPI. Its most visible feature, though, is the Active Desktop, which integrates the Web browser (Internet
Explorer) with the operating system. From the user's point of view, there is no difference between accessing a
document residing locally on the user's hard disk or on a Web server halfway around the world.

Windows ME - Millennium Edition (September 2000)

The Windows Millennium Edition, called "Windows Me" was an update to the Windows 98 core and included
some features of the Windows 2000 operating system. This version also removed the "boot in DOS" option.

Windows NT 31. - 4.0 (1993-1996)

A version of the Windows operating system. Windows NT (New Technology) is a 32-bit operating system that
supports preemptive multitasking. There are actually two versions of Windows NT: Windows NT Server,
designed to act as a server in networks, and Windows NT Workstation for stand-alone or client workstations.
Windows 2000 (February 2000)

Often abbreviated as "W2K," Windows 2000 is an operating system for business desktop and laptop systems to
run software applications, connect to Internet and intranet sites, and access files, printers, and network
resources. Microsoft released four versions of Windows 2000: Professional (for business desktop and laptop
systems), Server (both a Web server and an office server), Advanced Server (for line-of-business applications)
and Datacenter Server (for high-traffic computer networks).

Windows XP (October 2001)

Windows XP was first introduced in 2001. Along with a redesigned look and feel to the user interface, the new
operating system is built on the Windows 2000 kernel, giving the user a more stable and reliable environment
than previous versions of Windows. Windows XP comes in two versions, Home and Professional. Microsoft
focused on mobility for both editions, including plug and play features for connecting to wireless networks. The
operating system also utilizes the 802.11x wireless security standard. Windows XP is one of Microsoft's best-
selling products.

Windows Vista (November 2006)

Windows Vista offered an advancement in reliability, security, ease of deployment, performance and
manageability over Windows XP. New in this version was capabilities to detect hardware problems before they
occur, security features to protect against the latest generation of threats, faster start-up time and low power
consumption of the new sleep state. In many cases, Windows Vista is noticeably more responsive than
Windows XP on identical hardware. Windows Vista simplifies and centralizes desktop configuration
management, reducing the cost of keeping systems updated.

Windows 7 (October, 2009)

Windows 7 made its official debut to the public on October 22, 2009 as the latest in the 25-year-old line of
Microsoft Windows operating systems and as the successor to Windows Vista (which itself had followed
Windows XP). Windows 7 was released in conjunction with Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7's server
counterpart. Enhancements and new features in Windows 7 include multi-touch support, Internet Explorer 8,
improved performance and start-up time, Aero Snap, Aero Shake, support for virtual hard disks, a new and
improved Windows Media Center, and improved security.

Windows 8 (Codename, Expected Release 2012)

Windows 8 is a completely redesigned operating system that's been developed from the ground up with
touchscreen use in mind as well as near-instant-on capabilities that enable a Windows 8 PC to load and start up
in a matter of seconds rather than in minutes. Windows 8 will replace the more traditional Microsoft Windows
OS look and feel with a new "Metro" design system interface that first debuted in the Windows Phone 7 mobile
operating system. The Metro user interface primarily consists of a "Start screen" made up of "Live Tiles," which
are links to applications and features that are dynamic and update in real time. Windows 8 supports both x86
PCs and ARM processors. Online media sites indicate that this version will be available in 2012, with October
and Fall being the most often quoted time frame.
Desktop
1. Common term used to describe a desktop computer.

2. When referring to an operating system or GUI, the Desktop is a system of organization of icons on a screen.
The Microsoft Windows Desktop was first introduced with Microsoft Windows 95 and has been included with
all versions of Windows since then. Below is a basic example of the Microsoft Windows Desktop.

Windows 95 Desktop

In the above picture, is an example of the Microsoft Windows 95 Desktop. In this picture, there are Desktop
icons on the left-hand-side of the window with a blue and white clouds for the wallpaper and the Taskbar is
found on the bottom of the screen.

Tip: Press the shortcut key Windows key + D at any time to get to the Windows Desktop. Press the same keys
again to restore windows back to how they were before they were minimized.

What icons and items are found on the Windows Desktop?

Some of the most common icons you're likely to find on the Desktop include the My Computer icon, Recycle
Bin, your Internet browser icon (e.g. Internet Explorer), and My Documents. On the Windows Desktop, you'll
also have access to the Windows Start Menu through the Start button on the Taskbar and the Windows
Notification Area.

Icon
A small picture that represents an object or program. Icons are very useful in applications that use windows, because with
the click of a mouse button you can shrink an entire window into a small icon. (This is sometimes called minimizing.) To
redisplay the window, you merely move the pointer to the icon and click (or double click) a mouse button. (This is
sometimes called restoring or maximizing)

Taskbar
A bar located at the bottom of the screen that was first introduced with Microsoft Windows 95 and found in all
versions of Windows after that. The Taskbar allows the user to locate and launch programs through the Start
button, see any program that is currently open, display the time or date, items running in the background
through the Systray, and with subsequent versions of the Windows operating system, the Quick Launch.

Windows 7 Taskbar

Windows 98 Taskbar

In the above two pictures, are examples of differences between Windows Taskbars. First, the Windows 98
Taskbar is an example of what the Taskbar looks like in many of the earlier versions of Microsoft Windows. As
can be seen by this picture, this Taskbar has the Start button, the Quick launch area, the currently running
programs, Windows notification icons, and the system time.

The second image, is the latest evolution of the Windows Taskbar, first introduced with Windows Vista. In this
version of the Taskbar, the Start button is now an Orb with the Windows flag, displays icons like the Quick
Launch with the currently running programs, running programs are only shown by icon, running programs icons
in the Systray are now hidden, and the date is below the time.

Control panel
The Control Panel is a part of the Microsoft Windows graphical user interface which allows users to view and
manipulate basic system settings and controls via applets, such as adding hardware, adding and removing
software, controlling user accounts, and changing accessibility options. Additional applets can be provided by
third party software.

The Control Panel has been an inherent part of the Microsoft Windows operating system since Windows 2.0,[1]
with many of the current applets being added in later versions. Beginning with Windows 95, the Control Panel
is implemented as a special folder, i.e. the folder does not physically exist, but only contains shortcuts to various
applets such as Add or Remove Programs and Internet Options. Physically, these applets are stored as .cpl files.
For example, the Add or Remove Programs applet is stored under the name appwiz.cpl in the SYSTEM32 folder.
 In recent versions of Windows, the Control Panel has two views, Classic View and Category View, and it is
possible to switch between these through an option that appears on either the left side or top of the window.

To change your desktop background

1.Open Display in Control Panel.
2.On the Desktop tab, do one or more of the following:

•Click a picture in the Background list. In Position, click Center, Tile, or Stretch.
•Click Browse to search for a background picture in other folders or on other drives. You can use files with
the following extensions: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .dib, .png, .htm. In Position, click Center, Tile, or Stretch.
•Select a color from Desktop color. The color fills the space not used by a picture.

changing the screen saver

 Minimise all programs so that the desktop is shown.
 Right click in an empty space on the desktop.
 Left click on "properties"
 Click on the "screen saver" tab at the top of the screen.
 In the "screen saver" drop down box, select the screensaver you would like to use.
 Click "ok" again to finalize the changes made

Windows Explorer on a computer?

Windows Explorer - A definition Windows Explorer is a tool that allows you to browse, view, copy and delete
files. Windows Explorer comes with Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP and you can start it as follows:

1. Click Start -> (All) Programs -> Accessories -> Windows Explorer, or
2. Click Start -> Run -> explorer.exe, or
3. Hold the Windows Button on your keyboard and press 'e'.

Windows Explorer is an application that provides detailed information about your files, folders, and drives.
You can use it to see how your files are organized and to copy, move, and rename files, as well as perform other
tasks pertaining to files, folders, and drives.

The simplest way to access Windows Explorer is to right-click the Start menu or the My Computer icon and
select Explore. If your keyboard has a Windows logo key, you can press Win-e to launch Windows Explorer.
Alternatively, you can access it from the Start menu. In newer operating systems, it is under Accessories
Windows Explorer is the main graphical user interface to windows. An explorer window is the file browser in
a windows operating system (e.g. My Computer, or My Documents). Windows Explorer is also known inside
the operating system as explorer.exe. This program is responsible for 'creating' the start menu and the entire task
bar and allows you to interact with windows. With out this file, it is very hard to navigate through a computer.

My Computer
A section of Microsoft Windows that was introduced with the release of Windows 95 and included with all
subsequent versions, My Computer allows the user to explore the contents of their computer drives as well as
manage their files. The picture shows examples of the My Computer icon in Microsoft Windows XP,

the Computer icon in Windows Vista and Windows 7,

and This PC icon introduced with Windows 8.

Although the name has changed, this icon still functions the same as the original.

How to open My Computer

1. Get to the Windows Desktop or Start Menu (shown below).
2. Double-click the My Computer icon, this icon is almost always located on the top-left portion of the
desktop and should look similar to the icon shown earlier. Below are two examples of what should
appear when My Computer is open.
Drive listing in My Computer Browsing My Computer in Windows 2000

Tip: You can also access My Computer or Computer through the start menu, as shown below.

Using My Computer
Once My Computer is open you'll see all available drives on your computer. Most users, should only be
concerned with the Local Disc (C:) drive, the hard drive that stores all installed files. Double-click this drive
icon to open it and view of its contents.
Finding files in My Computer
If you are having trouble finding where a file is stored, users may utilize the Windows find feature; which is
located at the top right corner of the My Computer and Explorer screen.

Adjust system settings with My Computer

If you want to manage your computer or view settings and information, right-click on the My Computer icon
and then click Properties. Performing these steps opens your System Properties (the same window accessible
through the Control Panel).

Recycle Bin
Similar to the Apple Macintosh Trash, the Recycle Bin

is a location where deleted files are temporarily stored on

Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME, NT, 2000, XP, Vista, and

all later versions of Microsoft Windows. The Recycling Bin

allows users to recover files that have been deleted in Windows. In the image to the right, is an example of what the
empty Recycle Bin may look like in your version of Windows and can be found on the Desktop.

Keep in mind that if you have deleted files through an MS-DOS prompt or shell that the files will not go to the Recycle
Bin.

Shortcut

1. When referring to Microsoft Windows, a shortcut is a link that points to a program on the
computer. Shortcuts allow users to create links to their programs in any folder, Start bar, Taskbar, Desktop or
other locations on their computer. A shortcut in Windows is commonly identified by a small arrow in the
bottom corner of the icon and are files that end with a file extension of .lnk. The picture shows an example of a
Windows shortcut that links to the game Company of Heroes. If you're more familiar with Linux you can think
of a shortcut as a symbolic link.
  How do I create a Windows shortcut?
 How to hide the small arrow that appears on Windows shortcuts.
 Create a shortcut key for Internet web pages.
 Find and delete bad Windows shortcuts.

2. A shortcut is also used to describe a keyboard shortcut.

UAC
Short for User Account Control, UAC is a feature first introduced with Microsoft Windows Vista that helps
provide an extra layer of security by not allowing any software programs administrative rights unless approved
by the user or the application is run as the Administrator. Below is a picture of the UAC confirmation dialog
box a user may see when attempting to run a program or access a part of Windows that requires permission.

My Documents
 Not to be confused with a written document, My Documents and
Documents are Microsoft Windows folders that store computer documents, program settings, and other files
associated with programs on your computer. For example, when saving a file in Microsoft Word, the default
folder is My Documents. Saving all of your personal files into the My Documents folder makes them easier to
back up and locate.

Note: Microsoft has changed "My Documents" to "Documents" in the most recent versions of Windows.

Many Microsoft Windows users should be able to locate the My Documents folder on their Desktop. However,
users whose Desktop's do not show the My Documents icon may find the folder by following the steps below.

How to open Windows My Documents or Documents

1. From the Desktop, double-click the My Documents folder icon.

or

1. Open My Computer.
2. Within My Computer double-click the xx Documents, where xx is the name of your user account. For
example, if your login name is John, you would click on John's Documents.

or

1. Open My Computer.
2. Double-click the C: drive.
3. Within the C: drive double-click the Documents and Settings or Users folder.
4. In Documents and Settings, double-click the folder for the users My Documents you want to see. Using
the same example as above, if your login was named "John" you'd click on the "John" folder.
5. Within your users name folder open the My Documents folder.

or

1. Click the Start button in the lower left corner of the screen.
2. Click Documents on the right side of the menu that pops up.