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UNIT 6

Microsoft Windows Basics

Learning Objectives​

  • Participants will understand what the Microsoft Windows operating system is and its basic history.
    • Windows OS Basics
    • Windows Version History
    • Windows-Specific Terms and Definitions

Section 1

Windows Version History​

Version History​

  • First version of Windows widely released was MS-DOS in 1981
  • New workstation and server versions are often released around the same time and are closely related.
  • Only OSes that have been used in the competition will be covered.
  • Windows 10 and Server 2016 are not listed, though they were used in the competition.

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Windows XP and Server 2003​

Release Dates: 2001 (XP) and 2003 (Server 2003)

Major Features

  • Lightweight – Only requires 64 MB of RAM and 1.5 GB of hard drive space
  • Focus on user eXPerience – sleek graphics, simplicity, and basic features
  • XP has been updated with three Service Packs and Server 2003 has two
  • XP is the first version to include Remote Desktop, which allows a user to connect to a system remotely

Notable Security Concerns

  • In 2014, Microsoft discontinued support and updates for Windows XP and Server 2003, meaning systems running those - OSes may now be more vulnerable to attack.
  • Almost 250 million people still use Windows XP
  • Many systems running these OSes may also have outdated hardware and applications that also have security concerns.

Desktop Image

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Windows Vista and Server 2008​

Release Dates: 2006 (Vista) and 2008 (Server 2008)

Major Features

  • Updated GUI and a Windows Sidebar where users can place Desktop Gadgets, like weather and time applets
  • Windows Defender – security tool featuring antispyware capabilities
  • Backup and Restore Center – allows users to more efficiently back up files and create system images
  • User Account Control (UAC) – informs user when a program requires administrator-level permission
  • Bitlocker – Full disk encryption
  • Vista and Server 2008 each have two Service Packs Notable Security Concerns
  • Vista included major architectural changes, making it significantly more secure than base Windows XP.
  • While UAC is a useful security tool, it caused major usability issues for the average user.

Desktop Image

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Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2​

Release Date: 2009 (Both)

Major Features

  • Significant speed improvements that Vista lacked due to bloated OS size
  • Windows 7 and 2008 R2 each have one Service Pack
  • Improved searching and more nuanced UAC, which provides the ability to slide between different security levels
  • Action Center – centralized location to notify user of major security issues
  • Windows now allows for biometric authentication Notable Security Concerns
  • Initial launch only had minimal security fixes over Vista.
  • As the most widely used OS, Windows 7 is the most targeted by malicious users and software.

Desktop Image

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Windows 8 (8.1) and Server 2012​

Release Dates: 2012 (Windows 8 and Server 2012) and 2013 (Windows 8.1)

Major Features

  • Focus on providing an OS for tablets, including touchscreen and gesture capabilities, a tiled Start screen Windows Store, and “hot corners”
  • Windows 8.1 returned the Start button that was missing in Windows 8
  • Windows Defender now includes Microsoft Security Essentials, which provides antivirus support
  • Cloud Storage and Sync – users can now sync their settings and backup their data to the cloud Notable Security Concerns
  • Some applications were rewritten to maintain compatibility with the new GUI, which could lead to new security flaws.
  • “Picture passwords” can be more easily cracked than traditional passwords.

Desktop Image

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Section 2

Windows Basics​

Microsoft Windows: Desktop​

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Microsoft Windows: Start Menu and Start Screen​

  • All Windows OSes until Windows 8 included a Start button in the task bar
  • Clicking the Start button brings up the Start Menu
  • From the Start Menu, users can search their system, open files and programs, and access system tools
  • Windows 8 did not have a Start button and replaced the Start Menu with the Start Screen
  • Windows 8.1 brought the Start button back to take users to the Start Screen

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Microsoft Windows: Directory​

  • Files and folders can be accessed through Windows Explorer
  • A file path is where a file is located on a system
  • Example file path:
    • C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe
      • C: - Drive
      • \Program Files – Folder
      • \iTunes - Folder
      • \iTunes.exe - File

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Microsoft Windows: File Extensions​

  • A group of letters occurring after a period in a file name, indicating the format of the file

  • Common file extensions in Windows:

    • .bat – executable batch files
    • .bmp – Bitmap graphics files
    • .doc – Word documents (pre-Office 2007)
    • .docx – Word documents (Office 2007 and later)
    • .exe – executable files/programs
    • .ppt – PowerPoint files (pre-Office 2007)
    • .pptx – PowerPoint files (Office 2007 and later)
    • .wav – Microsoft audio file
    • .wmv – Windows Media Video
    • .xls – Excel spreadsheet (pre-Office 2007)
    • .xlsx – Excel spreadsheet (Office 2007 and later)