Microsoft Windows

OPERATING SYSTEM OR OS IS BASICALLY A SOFTWARE ENVIRONMENT THAT

ACTS AS AN INTERFACE BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR COMPUTER HARDWARE
COMPONENTS. OS IS A PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK THAT ALLOWS THE USERS
TO INTERACT WITH THE VARIOUS COMPUTER APPLICATIONS AND THEIR RELATED
FUNCTIONS WITHOUT KNOWING THE COMPUTER LANGUAGE. THE FEATURES OF
THE WINDOWS OPERATING SYSTEM ALLOW IT TO PERFORM THE ACTIVITIES LIKE
ACCESSING SOFTWARE, SHOWING COMMANDS ON THE SCREEN, ANALYZING
RECORDS, PRINTING DOCUMENTS, AND MANY MORE
 Makes sure that the multiple tasks of the user do not mix up with each
other and it also provides security from all kinds of unwanted access and
also prevents unauthorized access. Microsoft created Windows, a
graphical operating system. It lets users view and save files, run
applications, play games, watch videos, as well as connect to the internet.
It was made available for both personal and professional use. Microsoft
released the initial version as version 1.0. On November 10, 1983, it was
published for both home computers and professional functions of
Windows. It was later available on a variety of Windows versions.
Top Features provided by the
Windows Operating System

 Below are mentioned some of the most crucial and notable features of the Windows operating system:

 Control Panel
 Cortana

 File Explorer

 Internet Browser

 Disk Cleanup

 Speed

 Hardware Requirements

 Search and Organization

 Compatibility

 Taskbar

 Safety

 Interface
1. Control Panel

 A Control panel is a feature of the Windows operating system that

contains many tools that help in configuring and managing the
computer’s resources. For e.g., the control panel provides the settings for
audio, video, mouse, keyboard, network connections, date and time,
installed applications, etc. Which the user can change as per his/her
need.
2.Cortana

 It is used to display the files and folders which are on the computer. It is
also known as Windows Explorer. It gives the user the ability to browse data
on the hard drive, SSD, and other inserted removable disks. It allows the
user to manage the content according to their preference, such as a user
can delete or rename a file and search and transfer data.
3. File Explorer

 It is used to display the files and folders which are on the computer. It is
also known as Windows Explorer. It gives users the ability to browse data on
the hard drive, SSD, and other inserted removable disks. It allows the user
to manage the content according to their preference such as a user can
delete or rename a file, and search and transfer data
4. Internet Browse

 One of the major use of computers is to access the web/internet.

Therefore, an internet browser is very necessary to search for anything,
view pages, do online shopping, play games, etc. There is a pre-installed
internet browser available in the Windows operating system. From
Windows 10 onwards, the Edge internet browser is the default browser,
while earlier internet explorer used to be the default browser.
5.Desk Cleanup

 One of the major tasks of an operating system is to perform cleanup

operations. Disk Cleanup is a feature of the Windows operating system that
is used to free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files or temporary
files no longer required. It helps increase the system’s performance and
boosts storage space to download programs and documents. We can
open disk cleanup by using the following steps:


 Open the file explorer using Window + E

 Right-click on any of the disk drives and click on the properties option from
the drop-down menu.
 Click on the Disk Cleanup option
6. Speed

 Aside from the incompatibilities and other concerns that many users had
with Vista, one of the most obvious was performance — it simply felt too
slow in comparison to XP, even on high-end hardware. Windows 7 feels
more quick and sprightly, and Microsoft spent a lot of time and effort
perfecting the Start Menu reaction. Microsoft has also identified the need
for enhanced desktop responsiveness, which creates the appearance
that the machine is responding to the user and that the user is in charge –
something that Vista frequently lacked.
7.Hardware Requirements

 Vista has a reputation for making even the most powerful hardware
appear mundane. Windows 7, on the other hand, will function smoothly on
older systems, making the switch from Windows XP easier. Microsoft is
promoting Windows 7 for netbooks as well. This could be a modern
alternative for Windows XP, which has resurfaced as the preferred
operating system for netbooks, displacing Linux. The disadvantage is that
Windows 7 Starter Edition, as it will be known, will only allow three
applications to run at once.
8.Search and Organization

 One of the nicest features of Windows 7 is the upgraded search function,

which now competes with Mac OS X’s Spotlight in terms of speed and
ease of use. Typing ‘mouse’, for example, will bring up the mouse option in
the control panel, while typing a word will display it and divide it into files,
directories, and apps nicely. The concept of Libraries is also introduced,
which expands on the ‘My Documents’ concept. The various Libraries,
such as Documents and Pictures, will monitor multiple locations that you
can add yourself, allowing you to maintain everything in one location.
9. Compatibility

 Simply put, compatibility with Windows 7 will be significantly superior to

that of Vista. Many programs used by people and businesses on Windows
XP did not work right away and required upgrades, but with Windows 7,
practically all Vista-compatible applications should still work.
10. Taskbar

At first sight, the taskbar appears to have remained largely unchanged since Vista.
That is not the case, and it is far more potent. Microsoft is now putting its aero
technology to its full potential. Taskbar icons are now larger by default, and
objects are grouped together rather than labeled with clunky text. A stack will
appear on the taskbar if you have many Word documents or Windows Explorer
windows open. When you move your cursor over the program, each Window will
appear as a thumbnail. When you hover your mouse over each thumbnail, it will
become visible, while all other open windows will vanish save for their outlines.
Each document or window can be closed immediately from the thumbnail, or it
can be brought to the front by clicking on it. A small arrow to the right of programs
like Word in the Start menu now extends to show a list of recent documents, which
may be pinned to keep one on the list permanently. The above points make the
taskbar a significant feature of the windows operating system
11. Safety

 Two new authentication methods tailored for touchscreens, the addition

of antivirus capabilities to Windows Defender Smart Screen filtering, and
support for the “Secure Boot” functionality on UEFI systems to protect
against malware infecting the boot process are among the new security
features in Windows. Parents may monitor and regulate their children’s
actions on a device using activity reports and safety restrictions, thanks to
Family Safety’s parental controls. The new “Refresh” and “Reset”
functionalities in Windows 8 also allow for integrated system recovery,
including system recovery from a USB device. The first security patches for
Windows 8 will be delivered on November 13, 2012, and would include
three changes that Microsoft judged “important.”
12. Interface

 The user interface of Windows has undergone substantial improvements,

many of which are focused on improving the experience on tablet PCs
and other touchscreen devices. The new user interface is based on
Microsoft’s Metro design language, and it features a Start screen similar to
that of Windows Phone for opening apps. The Start screen shows a
customizable grid of tiles that link to a variety of apps and desktop
programs, some of which can display continually updated information
and content via “live tiles.” Apps can be snapped to the side of a screen
as a type of multitasking. A new simplified and touch-optimized settings
program called “PC Preferences” is utilized alongside the classic Control
Panel for basic configuration and user settings.
Historical background of the Windows
Operating System

 The Windows operating system, developed by Microsoft was introduced in

1985 with Windows 1.0. It evolved through various versions, including the
widely used Windows 95, Windows XP, and Windows 7. Windows 10,
introduced in 2015, marked a shift towards a continuous update model.
Windows has played a pivotal role in personal computing, offering
graphical interfaces, multitasking, and user-friendly features. Over the
years, Microsoft’s Windows has become a dominant force in the operating
system market, powering countless computers globally
Advantages of Windows Operating
System

 The following are the advantages of Microsoft Windows:



 User-friendly interface for easy navigation



 Wide range of compatible software and applications



 Extensive hardware support for various devices



 Regular updates and security patches for improved performance



 Familiarity, as it’s a widely used operating system

Disadvantages of Windows Operating
System

 The following are the disadvantages of Microsoft Windows:



 Prone to malware and viruses, requiring frequent security measures



 Can be resource-intensive, leading to slower performance on older hardware



 The cost associated with licensing for certain versions



 Limited customization compared to some other operating systems



 Occasional compatibility issues with certain software and hardware

 Frequently