Components of a Computer System

1. Hardware- Physical Components

2. Software- Set of Instructions which instructs the hardware to work
a. System Software-
b. Application Software- Ms Word, MS paint, Photoshop, VLC Media Player

What is an Operating System?

An operating system (OS) is a system software that manages computer hardware, software resources, and provides
common services for programs. It acts as an intermediary between the computer hardware and USERS ,
application programs.

The main purposes of an operating system are:

1. Memory Management: It manages the computer's memory and allocates it to programs when required.

2. Processor Management: It assigns processes to the computer's processors for execution.

3. Device Management: It acts as an interface between peripheral devices and application programs.

4. File Management: It manages files and directories (folders) on the computer's storage devices.

5. Security: It prevents unauthorized access to programs and data by using passwords and permission
techniques.

Some examples of popular operating systems are Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.

Why We Cannot Operate a Computer Without an Operating System

A computer cannot function without an operating system because:

1. Hardware Access: Application programs need to interact with hardware devices like the printer, mouse,
keyboard, etc. The operating system handles these interactions and provides a consistent interface.

2. Resource Management: Programs often need resources like memory, processor time, disk space, etc. The
operating system allocates and deallocates these resources efficiently.

3. Program Execution: Operating systems load and execute programs stored on disks or other storage devices.

4. User Interface: Operating systems provide a user interface to interact with the computer, launch programs,
manage files, and more.

5. Error Handling: Operating systems handle errors and faults that may occur in hardware or programs.

6. Security: Operating systems implement security measures to prevent unauthorized access and protect data.

Without an operating system, a computer would just be a collection of hardware components with no way to utilize
them efficiently or run software applications. The operating system acts as a bridge between the hardware and
software, making it an essential part of any computer system.
What is Windows Operating System?
Windows is a proprietary operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation. It is one of the most widely used
operating systems for personal computers (PCs) and laptops around the world. Here are some key points about the
Windows operating system:

1. Graphical User Interface (GUI): Windows is a graphical operating system, meaning it provides a user-friendly
graphical user interface (GUI) with icons, windows, menus, and visual elements for interaction, rather than relying
solely on text-based commands.

2. Desktop Environment: The Windows desktop environment is the primary workspace where users can launch
applications, manage files and folders, and perform various tasks.

3. File Management: Windows includes a file management system, such as File Explorer (formerly known as
Windows Explorer), which allows users to navigate, organize, and manage files and folders on their computer's
storage devices.

4. Applications and Software Compatibility: Windows supports a vast ecosystem of software applications, ranging
from productivity tools like Microsoft Office to multimedia applications, web browsers, and games, developed by
Microsoft and third-party software vendors.

5. Hardware Support: Windows is designed to work with a wide range of hardware components, including
processors, graphics cards, peripherals, and other devices from various manufacturers.

6. Versions: Microsoft has released several versions of Windows over the years, including Windows 95, Windows 98,
Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and the most recent Windows 11.

7. Updates and Security: Microsoft regularly releases updates and security patches for Windows to address
vulnerabilities, add new features, and improve performance and stability.

8. Licensing: Windows is a commercial operating system, and users typically need to purchase a license to use it
legally, although some versions, such as Windows 10 in S mode, are available for free with certain restrictions.

9. Enterprise Solutions: Microsoft also offers enterprise-level versions of Windows, such as Windows Server,
designed for server environments, networking, and business applications.

Windows has evolved over the years, introducing new features, user interfaces, and technologies to meet the
changing needs of users and the computing industry. Despite competition from other operating systems like macOS
and Linux, Windows remains one of the most popular and widely used operating systems for personal computers
and laptops worldwide.
Definitions for the following Windows desktop elements:
1. Windows Desktop: The Windows Desktop is the primary user interface or workspace area in the Windows
operating system. It serves as a launch pad for applications, files, and folders, and provides a backdrop for displaying
open windows and icons.

2. Icons: Icons are small graphical representations of files, folders, applications, or system components on the
Windows Desktop or within File Explorer. They provide a visual way to identify and access different items.

3. Taskbar: The Taskbar is a horizontal bar typically located at the bottom of the Windows Desktop. It serves as a
central hub for launching applications, switching between open windows, and accessing system tray icons and
notifications.

Here are the steps to pin an application to the Taskbar in Windows:

1. Open the application you want to pin to the Taskbar. The application should appear as a button on the
Taskbar when it's running.

2. Right-click on the application's button or icon on the Taskbar.

3. In the context menu that appears, select the option "Pin to Taskbar" or "Pin this program to the taskbar".

4. The application's icon will now be pinned to the Taskbar, appearing as a permanent button even when the
application is not running.

4. Toolbar: A Toolbar is a row or area containing buttons, icons, or other controls that provide quick access to
frequently used commands or functions within a specific application or program.

5. Notification Area (System Tray): The Notification Area, also known as the System Tray, is a section on the Taskbar
that displays icons for running programs, system utilities, and notifications from applications or the operating
system.

6. Taskbar Buttons: Taskbar Buttons are the rectangular buttons located on the Taskbar that represent open
applications or windows. Clicking on a Taskbar Button brings the corresponding application or window into focus.

7. Start Menu: The Start Menu is a centralized menu in Windows that provides access to installed programs, recently
opened files and folders, system settings, and various utilities. It is typically accessed by clicking the Start button on
the Taskbar.

8. Search Box: The Search Box, also known as the Search Bar or Search Field, is a text input field located on the
Taskbar (or within the Start Menu in some versions of Windows) that allows users to search for files, folders,
applications, or web content by typing in keywords or phrases.

These elements are integral parts of the Windows Desktop environment and are designed to provide users with an
intuitive and efficient way to navigate, manage, and interact with their computer's files, applications, and system
settings.

File: A file is a fundamental unit of data storage in a computer system. It can contain text documents, images, videos,
audio, programs, or any other type of digital information. Files are identified by a name and an extension (e.g.,
document.docx, photo.jpg, movie.mp4), which typically indicates the file type or format.

Folder (Directory): A folder, also known as a directory, is a container that holds and organizes files and other folders.
Folders are used to group related files and create a hierarchical strcture for better organization and navigation within
the file system.

This PC:
"This PC" is a shortcut or folder in Windows that provides direct access to the computer's drives, devices, and
storage locations. It serves the following purposes:

Recycle Bin:
The Recycle Bin is a special folder in Windows that temporarily stores deleted files and folders. Its primary purpose is
to allow users to recover accidentally deleted files or folders if needed. When you delete a file or folder, it is initially
moved to the Recycle Bin instead of being permanently removed from your system

3. Web Browsers:
A web browser is a software application designed to access and display websites and web pages from the internet.
Web browsers are essential tools for browsing the World Wide Web, accessing online content, and utilizing various
web-based services and applications. Some popular web browsers for Windows include:

Steps to create a new folder in Windows:

1. Open File Explorer (or Windows Explorer in older versions of Windows). You can access it by clicking the File
Explorer icon in the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.

2. Navigate to the location where you want to create the new folder. This could be on your desktop, in a
specific drive (e.g., C:\ or D:), or within another folder.

3. Right-click on an empty area in the File Explorer window or desktop.

4. From the context menu, select "New" and then click "Folder".

5. A new folder with the default name "New Folder" will be created.

6. Type the desired name for the folder and press Enter to rename it.

Alternatively, you can create a new folder using the following keyboard shortcut:

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the desired location.

2. Press the "Ctrl + Shift + N" keys simultaneously.

3. A new folder will be created with the default name "New Folder".

4. Rename the folder by typing the desired name and pressing Enter.

Here are the steps for loading and opening a folder, as well as different methods for cutting, copying, and pasting
files/folders in Windows:

Loading and Opening a Folder Using the Start Button:

1. Click on the Start button (Windows icon) in the bottom-left corner of your screen.

2. In the Start menu, click on "File Explorer" (or "Windows Explorer" in older versions of Windows).

3. In the File Explorer window, navigate to the location of the folder you want to open by clicking through the drives
and folders in the left pane or by typing the folder path in the address bar at the top.

4. Once you've located the desired folder, double-click on it to open it.

Different Methods to Cut/Copy Files/Folders:

1. Using the Context Menu (Right-click):

 - Right-click on the file(s) or folder(s) you want to cut or copy.

- Select "Cut" or "Copy" from the context menu.

2. Using the Ribbon (in File Explorer):

- In the File Explorer window, select the file(s) or folder(s) you want to cut or copy.

- Click on the "Home" tab in the ribbon at the top.

- Click the "Cut" or "Copy" button in the "Clipboard" section of the ribbon.

3. Using Keyboard Shortcuts:

- To Cut: Select the file(s) or folder(s), then press Ctrl + X on your keyboard.

- To Copy: Select the file(s) or folder(s), then press Ctrl + C on your keyboard.

Different Methods to Paste Files/Folders:

1. Using the Context Menu (Right-click):

- Navigate to the location where you want to paste the file(s) or folder(s).

- Right-click on an empty area in the File Explorer window or on the desktop.

- Select "Paste" from the context menu.

2. Using the Ribbon (in File Explorer):

- Navigate to the location where you want to paste the file(s) or folder(s).

- Click on the "Home" tab in the ribbon at the top.

- Click the "Paste" button in the "Clipboard" section of the ribbon.

3. Using Keyboard Shortcuts:

- Navigate to the location where you want to paste the file(s) or folder(s).

- Press Ctrl + V on your keyboard to paste the previously cut or copied item(s).

Note: When pasting, if you're moving files/folders to a new location (using the "Cut" option), the original files/folders
will be removed from their initial location. If you're copying (using the "Copy" option), the original files/folders will
remain in their initial location, and a duplicate will be created in the new location.
Here are the steps to delete a folder in Windows:
Method 1:
1. Open File Explorer: You can open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard or by
clicking on the File Explorer icon in the taskbar.

2. Navigate to the folder you want to delete: In the File Explorer window, browse through the directories and
locate the folder you want to remove.

3. Select the folder: Left-click once on the folder to select it.

4. Delete the folder using one of the following methods: Method 1: Using the Context Menu (Right-click)

o Right-click on the selected folder.

o In the context menu that appears, click on "Delete".

Method 2: Using the Ribbon (in File Explorer)

o With the folder selected, click on the "Home" tab in the ribbon at the top of the File Explorer
window.

o In the "Organize" section of the ribbon, click on the "Delete" button.

Method 3: Using the Keyboard Shortcut

o With the folder selected, press the "Delete" key on your keyboard.

Confirm the deletion:

o After choosing to delete the folder, a confirmation dialog box will appear, asking if you're sure you
want to move the folder to the Recycle Bin.

o Click "Yes" to confirm and delete the folder, or click "No" to cancel the deletion.

Note: If the folder contains files or other subfolders, you will be prompted to confirm that you want to permanently
delete the folder and all its contents. If you click "Yes", the entire folder and its contents will be moved to the
Recycle Bin.

Empty the Recycle Bin (Optional):

o If you want to permanently delete the folder and its contents, you need to empty the Recycle Bin.

o Right-click on the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop or in the navigation pane of File Explorer.

o Select "Empty Recycle Bin" and confirm the action to permanently delete the folder and any other
items in the Recycle Bin.

It's important to be cautious when deleting folders, as this action cannot be undone once the Recycle Bin is emptied.
If you accidentally delete an important folder, you may be able to recover it from the Recycle Bin before emptying it.

Here's an explanation of the use of "This PC", "Recycle Bin", and "Web Browsers" in Windows:

1. This PC:
"This PC" is a shortcut or folder in Windows that provides direct access to the computer's drives, devices, and
storage locations. It serves the following purposes:

- View and access all the drives (hard drives, solid-state drives, USB drives, etc.) connected to your computer.

- Access frequently used folders like Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, and Videos.
- Quickly access storage devices like external hard drives, smartphones, or cameras when connected to your
computer.

- Access network locations and shared folders on your local network or corporate network (if applicable).

Essentially, "This PC" acts as a central hub to navigate and manage the files and folders on your computer and
connected devices.

2. Recycle Bin:
The Recycle Bin is a special folder in Windows that temporarily stores deleted files and folders. Its primary purpose is
to allow users to recover accidentally deleted files or folders if needed. When you delete a file or folder, it is initially
moved to the Recycle Bin instead of being permanently removed from your system.

- If you realize you accidentally deleted something, you can open the Recycle Bin and restore the deleted items to
their original location.

- The Recycle Bin helps prevent permanent data loss due to accidental deletions.

- You can empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete its contents and free up disk space.

3. Web Browsers:
A web browser is a software application designed to access and display websites and web pages from the internet.
Web browsers are essential tools for browsing the World Wide Web, accessing online content, and utilizing various
web-based services and applications. Some popular web browsers for Windows include:

- Google Chrome

- Microsoft Edge

- Mozilla Firefox

- Opera

- Safari (for Windows)

Web browsers allow you to:

- Visit websites by entering a web address (URL) or using search engines.

- View and interact with web pages containing text, images, videos, and other multimedia content.

- Access online services like email, social media, online banking, and more.

- Bookmark frequently visited websites for quick access.

- Download files from the internet.

- Fill out and submit online forms.

- Use web-based applications and tools (e.g., word processors, spreadsheets, photo editors).

Web browsers have become indispensable software for accessing the vast amount of information and services
available on the internet, making