1.4.7 Practice Questions Windows Basics

Gadgets Explanation Windows gadgets can be used to display weather forecasts, notes, time, news headlines, or virtually any other information on the desktop. On Windows 7, gadgets can be displayed on the desktop. Gadgets are small, single-programs that you can add or remove from the desktop. Computer Management provides quick access to commonly-used management application. Notification Area displays the time and date, and icons that represent the applications and processes that are running behind the scenes on your computer. User Account Control (UAC) prompts the user for credentials or permission in an effort to minimize the dangers of unwanted actions or unintended software installations.

User Account Control (UAC) Explanation User Account Control (UAC) prompts the user for credentials or permission in an effort to minimize the dangers of unwanted actions or unintended software installation. Windows firewall protects the system from network attacks. Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (WFAS) is a feature with provides advanced firewall settings beyond the program or service rules enforced by Windows Firewall. Windows Defender scans software for malicious code.

A volume control The current time. Explanation 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 Task Bar itself is dedicated to displaying icons for currently running applications. Windows 10 automatically add the most recently used applications to the dynamic "Most Used" sub menu of the Start Menu.

Windows Explorer File Explorer Computer Explanation Computer, Windows Explorer, and File Explorer are graphical user interfaces designed to give the user easy access to the file system. The Taskbar shows running programs and icons for launching programs. The Notification Area shows icons for running services and notifications. Network acts as a built-in network browser showing all networks and shared folders to which the user has access.

Windows 10 Explanation Windows 10 has the following new features: Customizable Start Menu- Let's 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. 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.

Aero Explanation Windows Aero is a set of features that improves the visual appearance of Windows. Features of Aero include: Glass effects on window borders that make borders semi-transparent (translucent). Window animations when windows are opened or closed. Taskbar thumbnails show the contents of an open windows when you move the mouse over items on the taskbar. Windows Flip shows thumbnails of running programs when you use the Alt+Tab keys to switch between running programs. Aero Flip 3D is activated with the Window + Tab key shows an expanded 3D view of running programs. The Show Desktop button (on the right side of the Taskbar) hides all open windows. Hovering over the button makes the content of all open windows disappear (called Peek). Snap is a new feature that maximizes a window as your 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 unhide all other open windows.

Operating system. Explanation 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.

Some operating systems also have attributes such as: 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 Explanation 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. Providing a platform for applications to run on.

Indexing service Explanation Windows includes a new indexing service that catalogues objects and files on your computer to improve the speed of searches on your computer. The search is typically fast because it is not searching the complete hard drive but instead is looking though the index. Aero Flip 3D shows an expanded 3D view of running programs. Windows Explorer provides a graphical user interface (GUI) for viewing and managing the file system. Quick Launch is a toolbar that contains shortcuts to designated programs. Cloud storage is an optional tool that provides integrated access to OneDrive, which provides free storage space in the cloud.