Windows

Windows is an operating system program that communicates your instructions to the actual computer
hardware and displays the results. Windows is a rectangular area which provides an environment to run

Graphical User Interface (GUI). It consists of:

many programs. It is based on

Windows Explorer It is a tool that allows you to browse, view, copy and delete files. It acts as a file
manager that provides detailed information about your files, folders and drives.
Active Window It refers to the object that is being currently used or display on the desktop.
Upgradation It is the process of enhancing the features of any object. It changes or replaces the
characteristics of any windows to any other advanced version of windows.

MS-Windows
Microsoft Windows stands for 'Microsoft - Wide Interactive Network Development for Office Work
Solution. Microsoft Windows is a series of graphical interface operating system developed, marked and sold
by Microsoft. It enables you to work with a wide variety ofprograms on your computer, often simultaneously.
Also, it is an operating system program that communicates your instructions to the actual computer.

Versions of MS-Windows
Windows NT (New Technology)
A version of Windows introduced in 1993 and made specifically for businesses offering
better control over workstation capabilities to help network administrators.

Features WindowsNT
I t is based on high level language.
It is able to run on DOS, Windows 3 and Win 32 applications.
I t has a 32-bit Windows applications.
I t uses
preemptive multitasking.
It provides higher stability and security.
Windows 95
Windows 95 is a Graphical User Interface (GUI) based on operating system.
was released on 24th August, 1995 by Microsoft. Windows5
 Features
Features
I t is mixed 16-bit 32 bit Windows operating system I t has varins users with indeendernt profies
It has 3.7s GB free space on the disk and that the total
I t is consumer oriented
I t supports Graphical User Interface (GU) operating size of the disk is 19.5 GB
system
At least 4 megabytes (MB) of RAM internal
storage
I t supports FAT32 file system, multi-display,. Web TVv
It provides 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of zvailatle pace
hard disk
n the
and the Internet Explorer.
It includes video adapter and mnonitor with Super VGA
Windows 98
(00 0 ) or higher reswlution
developed in 1998. This was
Itwas
in two main versions. The first,
I t supports sound card, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM drive
aroduced speakers or headphones.
Windows 98 version was plagued with
Ogramming errorsbut the Windows 98 Windows Vista
Windows98
out later w a s much
Second Edition c a m e
It is an operating system by Microsoft for
with many e r r o r s resolved
etter use on personal computers, including home
and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs and
Features
media center PCs. It was released world wide Wirdous Vza
I t supports Internet Explorer 4.01.
on 30th, January, 2007.
.It has Intel 80486 DX2/66 MHz o r a compatible CPU with
a Math coprocessor (Pentium processor recommended).
Features

.Windows 98 was the first operating system to use the

Windows Driver Model (WDM).
I t can be installed Pentium
4, higher. 512 MB
32 MB video card and 40 GB hard disk
RAM
I t includes a FAT32 converter utility for converting
FAT16 drives to FAT32 without formatting the partition.
I t enhanceds the features
of visual style.
It also supports many peripherals devices such as MX, Windows 7
USB, DVD.
Windows 7 is the official name for the later version of
Windows ME (Millennium Edition) Microsoft Windows after Vista and XP. It was releasedto
An upgraded version from manutacturing on 22 July, 2009 and general availability on
22 October, 2009 in conjuction with Windows server
Windows 98, launched in 2000, but it has
historically plagued with Windows 7 is available in the following three editions
Programming errors, which may be
Windows/Me Windows 77.Home Premium It is the standard version of
nustrating for home users. Windows It is installed mostly in home PCs
Features Windows 7 Professional
It is typically designed for
It is designed for single CPU or SMP 32-bit Intel x86 business purpose computing. which includes all the
home premium features as well as additional features
computer.
supports 8 or more CPU (the maximum 32 CPU). like Windows XP Mode (XPM).
Windows 7 Ultimate It is the most complete version,
The
GB.
minimum internal storage is 64 MB and maximum which has all the professional features as well as a

security feature like Bit Locker data protection.

introduced the Multilingual User Interface (MUD 8,
New features in Windows 7 are Internet Explorer
ndows XP (eXperience) Multi-touch support, Aero Snap, Virtual hard disks,
New

Windows XP is an OS Windows media center, improved security etc.

produced by
tooht forse on personal computers.
t released Windows XP on 25th Windows 7 Desktop
aher, 2001 Windows*D When a computer is booted up
and ready to use, then
the
is the
the Desktop." Desktop
vErsion of Windows XP are: screen w e s e e is called
on which,
window

WiXP
ndows Home edition is version made for home
uers
a
background image of
icons and
a display screen,
other graphical
It acts a s a workspace
items appear.
components,
everything like system
WindowsXP Professional is made for business users. where you can

applications and
access

Internet etc.
 . Aero Snap It ollows you to resize your
our win.
window
Features of Windows 7 Desktop
Aero Shake It allows you to take your use
(1) Slart Button It is atool by which you can
ope shake only the open window you and
want
menus, slart applications, files and settings. on, and the rest will disappear. foeus
i) Task Bar It is located at the bottom of the screen. It
contains the start button, shortcuts to applications, date,
time etc.
(i) Date and Time Settings On the right side of the task bar,
you will see the date and time option, which is used to
set date and time settings.
Desklop
Icons | Background
Recycle Bin

Aero Feature

Desktop
When we turn onthe computer then the
first screen
Taskbar |Date& Time which will be display on the computer known as
is
Start Button deskton
The background image of desktop is called as wallpaner
Windows 7 Desktop A small arrow or blinking symbol, moving on the
called as desktop.
(iv) Desktop Background It is an image used as background
is cursor. Desktop contains start menu, task
bar,
of a GUI on a computer screen. It is also called
icons, gadgets, etc. Some important components of deskton
are organised as:
wallpaper.
(v) Recycle Bin It is a container which contains deleted Icons
files, folders etc. Until they are finally removed from the A small image of a program, shown on the
hard disk.
desktop with
program name is known as icon. Icons are small pictures
If you want to restore back the deleted file/folder, you that represent files, folders, programs and other items.
Icons
have to go to the recycle bin (by left clicking it twice) contain the program that is selected.
click right on the document and choose restore from the Users can open these programs by
double click on the
given options. After doing this, the desired document icons. If you move an icon on your desktop, this is called
will be restored. dragging' and after releasing it, it will be called
'dropping"
(vi) My Computer This folder is a source to retrieve all the Some of the icons
information and resources attached to the system. It
displayed on desktop are as follows:
allows the user to explore the contents of his/her
1. My Computer It is the most important icon on the
desktop, which contains icons of document folders,
computer drives as well as manage the computer files.
hard disk's partition, each removable disk drive.
eg.
(vin lcons (or Graphical Pictures) An icon is a small floppy disk, CD, DVD etc. It also allows the users to
graphical representation of a program applications or access drives, printers, removable disk or other
files. When user click on icons, the associated program system applications. It is the main part of our
opens (run). Ieons are the main part of GUI in order to windows where al the programs and software
help a user to operate a computer system or any digital backup is stored.
device in an easy way.
2. Recycle Bin It is also a form of icon on the desktop,
(vii) Aero It is a visual desktop experience which provides a
which contains deleted file, folders or shortcuts. If
easy way to access desktop.
we delete a file or folder then it goes to recycle bin.
Some important features of aero are as follows: From recycle bin, we can restore the deleted file or
Aero Peek It allows you to folders on proper place. It is like a dustbin of the
bar for a thumbnail
peek at items in your task
preview. computer.
Aero Flip It allows Once the recycle bin is empty then we won't be able
you to preview all your open
windows from a central window.
to restore those files and folder again.
 ut t is an icon on the desktop that provides a if you select All Programs, a Pop-up menu appears.
r with immedi ediate acoess to a program or file. Pop-up menus are also called cascading menus. If a cascading
Documen This folder contains all your files menu is available, a small black triangle ( ) appears next to
y o u have created and saved in it. This folder the name of the application programs
whach
ains all types of file format ie. word processor In the below diagram, the pointer is on Microsoft Office
eadsheet. erpoint, image, etc. Word 2007 program that has been selected.
in three ways:
can open
B yclicking on start button and then select My
Document

a Bv clicking on My Computer and then select My

Document

(By creating
shortcut on desktop. t m a n atena

M Network Places consists of all network It

nections. which make possible to connect the
computer trom intranet.

Components of a Default Window

gart Menu Selecting Microsoft Office Word 2007

Start menu is the main gateway to your computer's Steps to explore the Start menu
folders and settings. It is a Graphical User
n s files, element used in Microsoft Windows. When Step 1 Click the Start button.
eGU
ace

i c k the Start button, the Start menu appears. Step 2 Move the mouse pointer to each option and
view the various cascading menus.
The left side of the Start menu display the list of the
ans and the right side allows access to common Step 3 Click (or roll your mouse pointer over) Ail
adows folders/fea ures (eg. Documents, Help and Support, Programs.
programs and various files). which are stored in Step 4 Move the mouse pointer to the right and view
uter other cascading menus.
The Start menu is used to do these common activities Step 5 To exit the menu, click outside the menu area or
Start programs. press Esc key located on your keyboard.
Open commonly used folders. The Start menu remembers all the items you have recently
Search for files, folders and programs opened and places the icon on the recent submenu of start
menu, so that you can easily open it the next time when you
Adjust computer settings. open the Start menu.
Turn Off the computer. Note End menu is also access from Start menu.
Log Off from
account.
Windows or switch to a different user

Task Bar
Geting Steted The taskbar is the long horizontal bar at the bottom of
Wndows Medio Centes Guest your screen. It is almost always visible.
Celculator
Documernts
It has three main sections as follows:
Computer
Remote Desktop Connection (9 The Start Button, which opens the Start menu.
Contsol Panel
Magnfer
Devices and Printers
(i) The Middle Section, which includes two sub-sections.
Soleese The first sub-section is the Quick Launch Toolbar,
Def aukt Programs
which contains icons for Internet Explorer,
A Programs
Help and Support

Media Player and show Desktop Buttton. You can cick

Windows
these icons to open a program. The
Shut down
is the Open Application Toolbar, which shows you,
second sub-section
which programs and files you have opened and allows
Start Menu you to quickly switch between them.