Windows is an operating system. It is called a multi-user interface and Graphical User Interface (GUI). It was created by Microsoft and found on most computer systems. It's easy to use for users. Uneducated users can use its programs in an easy way by watching the graphical icons etc. There are many different versions of windows. 

            They are:

-         Windows-95

-         Windows-98

-         Windows-2000

-         Windows-XP

-         Windows vista

-         Windows-7

-         Window-8

-         Windows-8.1

-         Windows-10 etc.

Figure: Windows

User: A user is a person who operates the computer in real-time.

  Task Bar:

            It is a part of windows that are usually located on the bottom of the desktop. The Start button, active program, and system tray are located on the taskbar. System tray shows programs running in the background, the clock, volume control, date and time, etc.). It is used to assign tasks (when minimize programs). It is also called switch programs.

            Alt +Tab shortcut key is used to switch between opened programs.

Fig: Task Bar

Start Button:

            The start button is located on the left side of the taskbar. It is the method of accessing all files and programs stored on the computer. It is used to display the start menu, start a program, open documents, change settings and shut down the computer, etc.

Fig: Start
Active Program:

            It means a working program where the user can do something. It is located on the taskbar.

System Tray:

            It is located on the right side of the taskbar. This shows programs running in the background, volume control, Date and Time, etc.


Fig: System Tray

Desktop:

            It is a workplace of windows Operating system. It is an entire screen area of windows. It is background area of icons.


Fig: Desktop


Icon:

            It is a graphical or symbolic representation of objects (Drive, file, folder or program) etc.

There are two types of icons. They are:

A)   Group Icon(Folder Icon)

B)    Item Icon(File Icon)

                                            Fig: Icon

My Computer/Computer/This PC:

            My computer is a system icon. It provides access to the different parts on the computer. Such as Hard Disk, Floppy Disk, DVD Drive and Network Drives inside Computer etc.

Fig: My Computer / Computer/ This PC

My document / Document:

            It is a default file folder of the computer system. It organizes the files that have been created in different applications. By default file store in my document/document.


Network / My Network Place:

            It is the workgroup folder of the Windows operating system. It allows access to different users and their documents.


Fig: Network

Recycle Bin:

            It is a permanent storage area of the computer. It is also called a system folder. It is stores files, folders, etc. that have been deleted from the computer.




Folder:

            It is a file container. It is also called the space of the disk. It holds files and other subfolders.


Fig: Folder

File:  It is a collection of data or information. It is a common storage unit in a computer.


Fig: Files

Internet Explore:

            It is a web browser (a program that is used to access a website/webpage) of windows operating system. It is also called the default web browser. It comes with windows operating system.

Outlook Express:

            It is E-mail client software that accesses the office mail/message.

Windows Menu:

            List of commands assigned under the specific category. There are three types of menu style. They are:

a)     Pull-down menu

b)     Cascade menu

c)     Popup menu

a)     Pull-down menu:

List of commands pulling up and down (unfold) when using select/point it.

b)     Cascade menu:

A menu appears beside another menu.




   

 


c)     Popup menu:

A menu appears anywhere when it is needed. It is also called a content/home shortcut menu. (Content menu display using shift+F10 or press mouse secondary button /Right button)



 
 Feature of windows:-

-               Superior operating system.

-               It has got all features of DOS(Disk Operating System) and Windows.

-               Searching and organizing.

-               Maintaining Disks.

-               Controlling Hardware.

-               Running programs easily.

-               Controlling overall activities.

-               Share music and videos.

-               It is a Graphical User Interface (GUI). (All items are in Graphical (Icon) form.

-               It can accept longer file name up to 255 characters (Primary) and 3 characters (Extension).

-               Taskbar facility (It remains work. All opened programs remain on it).

-               Finding Facility (It finds what you want).

-               Online helping facility.

-               It is simple and faster (Start Button and Taskbar) etc.

         


   Windows Application:

            MS-Windows has some a common application which is used for a different purpose.

            They are:

1)     Notepad

2)     WordPad

3)     Paintbrush