1.3 Windows Basics Practice Questions

Operating system An operating system is a set of programs that acts as an interface between the applications that are running on a computer and the computer's hardware. Operating systems perform actions such as: - Receiving user input from input hardware devices such as the keyboard or mouse. - Sending user output to output hardware devices such as the monitor or a printer. - Controlling the use of processing devices by applications. - Serving as a platform for applications. - Moderating hardware. - Providing security. - Managing the file system.

Ability to use multiple processing devices.

Ability to run multiple applications simultaneously.

Ability to run multiple parts of an application simultaneously.

Multiprocessing is the ability to use multiple processing devices. Multitasking is the ability to run multiple applications simultaneously. Multithreading is the ability to run multiple parts of an application simultaneously..

Kernel The kernel is the core of the operating system that is loaded into memory when the system boots up. The kernel is responsible for controlling security, managing the file system, and providing a platform for applications to run on.

Aero Windows Aero is a set of features that improves the visual appearance of Windows. Aero includes: - Glass effects on window borders that make borders semi-transparent (translucent). - Window animations when windows are opened or closed. - Taskbar thumbnails that show the contents of an open window when you move the mouse over items on the taskbar. - Windows Flip, which shows thumbnails of running programs when you use the Alt+Tab keys to switch between running programs. - Aero Flip 3D, which is activated when the Window+Tab key shows an expanded 3D view of running programs. - The Show Desktop button (on the right side of the Taskbar), which hides all open windows. Hovering over the button allows you to peek, or make the content of all open windows disappear. - Snap is a new feature that maximizes a window as you drag its border to the edge of the screen. Snapping multiple windows on the screen tiles them side by side. In Windows 10, Snap is limited to four apps on the desktop and two apps on a tablet. - Shake lets you hide all but the current window. Click the top window border and shake the mouse to hide or un-hide all other open windows.

File Explorer File Explorer is a graphical user interface designed to give the user easy access to the file system.

A volume control. The current time. By, default, the notification area is at the far right end of the task bar at the bottom of the computer screen. The notification area often displays the current system time, a volume control icon, and an icon allowing the control of display properties. Additionally, third party software may add icons to the notification area that provide shortcuts to specialized programs. The bulk of the taskbar itself is dedicated to displaying icons for currently running applications. Windows 10 automatically adds the most recently used applications to the dynamic most used listing on the Start menu.

User Account Control (UAC) User Account Control (UAC) prompts the user for credentials or permissions in an effort to minimize the dangers of unwanted actions or unintended software installations.

Windows 10 Windows 10 has the following new features: - Customizable Start Menu-- lets you to organize your apps and shortcuts. - Microsoft Store--allows you to purchase music, videos, games, and apps. - Cortana-- provides you with a personal assistant for web searching. This feature is only available in the United States, United Kingdom, China, France, Italy, Germany, and Spain. This feature is hardware-dependent. - Microsoft Edge-- lets you write and highlight web pages in the Edge web browser. This feature is hardware-dependent. Windows Hello--uses face and fingerprint sign in. This feature is hardware-dependent. Photos app-- organizes photos and videos in one location. Cloud storage-- provides integrated access to OneDrive, which provides free storage space in the cloud (optional). - Continuum-- allows you to switch between PC, tablet, and phones modes. This feature is hardware-dependent.