Operating systems

Universal Windows Platform

(UWP) is a development platform that allows for the development of applications across the various Windows 10 platforms. A developer can now write a UWP application, and the same application can be compiled and run over several different platforms, such as tablets, desktops, Xbox One, and Surface Hub, just to mention a few.

A current operating system

, as the term states, is the current release of an operating system. Many operating system developers are on a one- to two-year release cycle for the future version of the current operating system.

Things you should consider before installing an OS

Determine hardware compatibility and minimum requirements. Determine installation options. Determine the installation method. Prepare the computer for installation.

USB Drive installation

Applications are outgrowing optical media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, so USB drives have become popular. USB drives are faster and bigger than optical media. If a handful of computers require the application, then this might be a better option. However, the disadvantage is that simultaneous installations are limited to the number of flash drives you have with the application loaded. Another common problem with USB drive installations is that the USB drives are lost from time to time or inadvertently overwritten. For this reason, many application vendors lock their drives so they can't be overwritten and repurposed.

Workgroups are a

decentralized collection of managed computers and users. Each computer will have local accounts created that can be used for local authentication on the computer. This type of access is useful when the number of users is under 11 and the overhead of maintaining Active Directory domain controllers is not necessary. This is the default mode that all Windows operating systems run under.

Spotlight

displays pictures on the lock screen. You can choose various types of pictures to display, and they are downloaded automatically from Bing and displayed when the lock screen is activated

HCL

hardware compatibility lists

Action Center

in Windows 10/11 allows for the quick control of features such as VPN, Settings, and Tablet mode. The Action Center acts as an aggregation for social media, email, and operating system notifications. It is accessed by clicking the notification icon on the rightmost portion of the taskbar. The Action Center will then pop out as a sidebar, allowing for an at-a-glance look at all important messages

LTS

long-term support

MDM

mobile device management

Extended Support

sometimes called the long-term support (LTS) period, for an operating system is the final state of an OS's life cycle. For example, during this time, hotfixes and features will no longer be supported, but critical security updates will be supported with Microsoft operating systems. Additional contract purchases may be required if hotfixes are required during this period. An administrator should have all systems upgraded to the current operating system by the end of the extended support date.

An arrow pointing down on a folder indicates what?

that more items exist in the folder

maximum ram supported by windows home

128 GB

Maximum physical CPUs supported for homepro,

2

maximum ram supported by windows pro

2TB

Maximum physical CPUs supported for Pro for workstations

4

How much RAM does a 32-bit computer need?

4GB

Windows 11 is only available on what bit processor?

64-bit

maximum ram supported by window Pro for Workstations and Enterprise

6TB

Prerequisites

A common prerequisite to install an application might be a specific version of the .NET Framework. However, some applications have specific prerequisite requirements, such as a Microsoft SQL Server for data storage.

ARM

Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) processors

ISO Mountable installing method

Although optical discs have been around since the mid-1990s and have been the most popular method of installing applications and operating systems, the optical disk is quickly becoming a relic. When you use a virtualization product such as Hyper-V or VMware Workstation, the optical disc is just too clumsy and slow to use. Mountable ISO images of the physical media has become the new norm. When you need to install an operating system or application, you simply download the media from the vendor, mount the ISO, and install it as if you had a virtual optical drive. ISO sizes will vary from 500 MB to 9.6 GB with normal CD and DVD formats, but Blu-ray discs can be up to 45 GB.

Alpha

An operating system in alpha is a first draft of an operating system. Operating systems that are available in alpha are considered previews. It is common to find these in open source communities, such as Linux operating systems, but it is uncommon to find a corporate-based operating system in alpha.

Beta

An operating system in beta is a second draft of an operating system. This stage of an operating system means most of the bugs have been discovered and are avidly being patched. This stage is typically used to discover missing features and new bugs. Some operating system developers require an opt-in to run a beta operating system, and some require invites to a beta program that mandates participation.

Release Candidate

An operating system that is deemed a release candidate is in the final stage before it is released to market. During the release candidate stage, administrators are urged to install and use the operating system as though it were the final release. The benefit is that the administrator can get a previewed look at the operating system while helping to polish the final product, also called the release to market (RTM). An operating system in this stage is generally stable and has relatively few bugs

What can Windows pro do that home can not

Can join a Windows server domain; includes Remote Desktop Server, BitLocker, Windows To Go, Hyper-V, and participating in Group Policy.

GUI

Graphical User Interface

Optical Disc installing method

If the installation is a one-off installation, then a CD/DVD drive might be your best option. In recent years, applications have even been shipped on Blu-ray media. If you must install the application on several different PCs, then this method may not be the preferred installation method. When installing from optical media, even the fastest optical drive is slow compared to other methods, such as USB.

What does Windows Enterprise have that Windows home, pro, and pro for workstation doesn't?

Includes BitLocker, support for domain joining and Group Policy, DirectAccess, AppLocker, and BranchCache. This edition is available only through a volume license subscription.

what can pro for workstation do that windows pro and home can't?

Includes all features of the Pro edition, with support for 6 TB of RAM and up to 4 physical CPUs.

Windows Home doesn't have

Lacks support for Remote Desktop (client only), BitLocker, Windows To Go, Hyper-V, joining to a domain, and participating in Group Policy. This edition is strictly for consumer use.

The Automated installation products

MECM and SCCM

MECM

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager

BranchCache is a

Microsoft client-server technology that allows for caching of commonly accessed files at branch office locations. This allows for faster access of documents when the initial request is made. When the user saves the file, it is written to the original file server at the main location and locally cached for any consecutive requests. This feature is only available in Windows 10/11 Enterprise edition.

NVDIMM

Non-Volatile Dual Inline Memory Modules

PAE

Physical Address Extension

You can lock the Windows Desktop several different ways, as follows:

Press the Windows key + L. Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete, then choose Lock. Click the Start menu, then select your user icon, and click Lock.

RAM

Random Access Memory

RAM

Random access memory

RTM

Release to Market

SCCM

System Center Configuration Manager

Architecture

The architecture of the CPU and the operating system installed needs to match the application requirements for 32-bit or 64-bit applications. The architecture must meet or exceed the requirements of the application. For example, if the application needs a 64-bit architecture, then the CPU and operating system need to support 64-bit operations. However, if the application requires a 32-bit architecture, then a 32-bit or 64-bit CPU and operating system can accommodate the requirement.

Memory

The most common requirement that needs to be met before installing an application is the memory requirement. Memory is often displayed in the form of total random access memory (RAM) for the operating system.

Storage

The requirement for the storage is often displayed in GB or TB, depending on the application. The storage requirement is often the free space required to install the application. However, some software packages that require the storage of user data also display a separate storage requirement for the data.

User-Initiated Installation on a network

These installations are used when the administrator of the PC will start the installation manually. This method is preferable when the administrator is expected to answer specific questions during the installation, such as where to install the application.

Windows 10 Home

This edition is sold as a retail product, and it's preinstalled by the hardware vendor. When the operating system is preinstalled, it is referred to as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) operating system. Windows 10 Home also lacks the key feature of joining a domain that can only be found in Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise.

Windows 10 Pro for Workstations

This edition is used primarily for high-end computer workstations that require more than two CPUs and that need to address more than 2 TB of memory. Windows 10 Pro for Workstations supports up to four CPUs and 6 TB of memory. In addition, it supports Remote Direct Memory Access and Non-Volatile Dual Inline Memory Modules (NVDIMM).

Windows 10 Enterprise

This edition supports all features of Windows 10 Pro and can be found in mid- to large-sized organizations. It also supports features generally found in mid- to large-sized organizations. Windows 10 Enterprise can only be purchased with a volume license subscription from Microsoft.

Windows 10 Pro (Professional)

This is the premier retail edition of the Windows 10 operating system. It is the most common OEM operating system because it allows users to join corporate domains and becomes value-added for the hardware vendor.

Automated Installation on a network

Two different types of automated installations can be employed by the administrator: push installations and pull installations. Either installation type is used when the conformity of the installation is required.

UWP

Universal Windows Platform

Video Random Access Memory (VRAM)

VRAM requirements are typically related to applications that are graphic intensive, such as gaming. VRAM is typically much faster than conventional RAM, because it must be accessed faster to sustain the higher bandwidth requirements for the graphics applications being used.

Display

When data is to be displayed in a specific format, the application designer has formatted the application to a minimum display area. This requirement is often in the form of pixels, such as 1024 × 768. Although pixels are the most common display requirement, another type of requirement is a graphics processing unit (GPU). A specific GPU may be required if the application will process video or graphics.

Licensing

When installing an application, the last step is usually licensing the application. The license can come in several different forms, such as a node-locked license tied to a MAC address or drive serial number. A network-based license server allows for concurrent use by several people at once. External hardware tokens license an application with the use of a USB dongle or hardware device that allows the program to run.

Network Installation

When you need to install an application on many different PCs, a network installation should be your first choice. The application is typically uploaded to a file share by the administrator, and then the file share is set to read-only access for the user who is performing the installation. Depending on the speed of the network, this could be the fastest method to install an application on several different PCs simultaneously.

Windows 10 is the successor to what?

Windows 8.1

Cooperative Multitasking

a multitasking method that depends on the application itself to be responsible for using the processor and then freeing it for access by other applications. This is the way very early versions of Windows managed multiple applications. If any application locked up while using the processor, the application was unable to free the processor to do other tasks and the entire system locked, usually forcing a reboot.

Version

a particular revision of a piece of software, normally described by a number that tells you how new the product is in relation to other versions of the product.

Shell

a program that runs on top of the OS and allows the user to issue commands through a set of menus or another interface (which may or may not be graphical). Shells make an OS easier to use by changing the user interface. Explorer is the name of the shell that has been used with the Windows operating system since Windows 95.

Snap Assist

allows for side-by-side automatic windowing of windows on the screen. All you have to do is move a window over to a side, and the window will resize to half of the screen

Task View

allows you to have multiple desktops that appear to be virtual sessions inside of the operating system. You are no longer limited to one desktop containing all of your applications. You can now set up several desktops and switch between them. By pressing the Windows key + Tab, you can access the Task View window

BitLocker

allows you to use drive encryption to protect files, including those needed for startup and login

DirectAccess is a

automatic connection for a virtual private network (VPN) between the client and a main office. It is location-aware as well. This provides users who travel with access to corporate resources, just as if they were in the office. This feature is only available in Windows 10/11 Enterprise edition.

What is located in display settings for a windows computer?

background, colors (allows you select a color scheme for the Start menu or to change the color or size of other Desktop elements.), Lock Screen, Themes, Fonts (allows you to review any font installed on the operating system, can uninstall fonts and install new fonts from the Microsoft Store.), Start (allows you to set the options for the Start menu, such as to show the most used apps or to show recently added apps), and Taskbar (allows you to change the behavior of the taskbar, such as automatically hiding the taskbar or using smaller buttons)

Group Policy

can also be used to automate the installation of applications. The Group Policy method is a pull-based installation method, where the client will pull the application from the network share. This method contains no agent, so reporting is not available for client resources, installation requirements, or installation status. The benefit is that it requires very little infrastructure if you have Microsoft Active Directory (AD) installed already.

Screen Saver

can be configured to automatically display on your screen if your computer has been inactive for a certain period of time. Originally used to prevent burn-in of monitors, screen savers are now generally used for entertainment or to password-protect users' desktops. (by clicking Lock Screen under Personalization and then clicking Screen Saver Settings.)

Domain-joined computers allow for

centralized authentication, administration, and auditing of user and computer accounts through Active Directory domain controllers. A single user account can be created that enables the user to log into any computer in the domain of joined computers. This model is often found in corporate networks, because the user can be created when a person is hired. Access levels can then be managed throughout the person's employment with the organization. When the person leaves the organization, their access will also be terminated. Windows home doesn't allow this

Remote Desktop is a

client and server application that allows a client to view the desktop of a remote server or workstation. The Remote Desktop feature uses the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to facilitate the remote session. All Windows 10/11 operating systems can act as clients to a Remote Desktop server. However, Windows 10/11 Home cannot act as a server for a Remote Desktop client.

Graphical User Interface or GUI

is a method by which a person communicates with a computer using graphical images, icons, and methods other than text. GUIs allow a user to use a mouse, touchpad, or another mechanism (in addition to the keyboard) to interact with the computer to issue commands.

Preemptive Multitasking

is a multitasking method in which the OS allots each application a certain amount of processor time and then forcibly takes back control and gives another application or task access to the processor. This means that if an application crashes, the OS takes control of the processor away from the locked application and passes it on to the next application, which should be unaffected. Although unstable programs still lock, only the locked application will stall, not the entire system. Preemptive multitasking is what is used today in modern operating systems.

Windows Hello

is a new feature of Windows 10 that allows the user to sign into Windows with biometrics. Windows Hello uses the built-in camera on the laptop or PC so that the device can be unlocked with facial recognition. On devices with a fingerprint reader, you can also use your fingerprint to sign into Windows.

A like-to-like edition

is an edition with similar functionality, such as Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 10/11

Network

is any group of computers that have a communication link between them. Networks allow computers to share information and resources quickly and securely.

x64

is commonly used to denote operating systems that can run on 64-bit processors. This is also commonly referred to as AMD64, because AMD defined the 64-bit instruction set used today.

Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) processors

is commonly used to denote operating systems that can run on Advanced RISC Machine (ARM) processors. ARM operating systems use a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) instruction set commonly found on tablet and phone processors. ARMv8-A processors can support 64-bit operating systems, so you will find 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.

x86

is commonly used to refer to operating systems intended to run on the Intel processor. Intel initially identified its 32-bit processors with numbers ending in 86 prior to switching to the Pentium line.

Service Pack

is generally associated with updates, it is also used to describe a milestone in the life cycle of an operating system. When a service pack is released for an operating system, it adds major features as well as patches for both security and functionality. Microsoft has replaced this term with the introduction of Windows 8; it is now just called an update. However, many other operating systems still use "service pack."

system tray

is located on the right side of the taskbar and contains only a clock by default, but other Windows utilities (for example, screen savers or antivirus utilities) may put their icons there to indicate that they are running

64-Bit

is one that is written to utilize the instructions possible with 64-bit processors. Originally, these were more common with servers than desktops, but they have now become ubiquitous in the market with both Intel and AMD processors. As mentioned earlier, you cannot mix 64-bit software with 32-bit hardware (but you can run most 32-bit software on 64-bit hardware).

Multithreading

is the ability of a single application to have multiple requests in to the processor at one time. This results in faster application performance because it allows a program to do many things at once.

Random Access Memory

is used to describe the amount of memory installed and accessible for an operating system. The operating system uses RAM to hold its operating system code, as well as the programs you open on the operating system. Each program you install will have a minimum RAM requirement and recommended RAM requirement. Most computer systems on the market today are sold with at least 4 gigabytes (GB) of RAM. PC manufacturers have identified that newer programs are requiring more and more RAM to operate properly, so upgrades of 8 GB of RAM are common and have become the new normal.

Mainstream Support

of an operating system, all hotfixes, security updates, feature updates, and general support for the operating system is supported. An operating system developer will usually have a predetermined mainstream support date when the operating system is released. When the mainstream support ends for an operating system, it is either no longer supported or enters into an extended support period.

32-Bit

operating system is one that can not only run on a 32-bit processor but can utilize the capabilities of the processor fully. While this may sound simple, the truth of the matter is that it took many years after the 32-bit processor became available before operating systems (which were 16-bit at the time) were able to utilize their features. You cannot execute 64-bit software on 32-bit operating systems; the instructions sets are functionally different.

Workstation

operating systems allow end users to access information and applications on server operating systems as well as independently run applications locally. The operating system is optimized for foreground processes, such as the GUI. Background sharing is usually limited to a specific number of users; workstation versions of Microsoft Windows are limited to 10 concurrent users.

Cloud-Based

operating systems are a new breed of operating system that has emerged from the mobile computing era. Cloud-based operating systems are also considered stateless operating systems, since personal data is not primarily stored on the device but in the cloud. Mobile operating systems can be considered cloud-based operating systems. So this category takes on a dual role of defining a category and describing where the data is stored. The Chrome operating system is not a mobile operating system and fits into this category.

Mobile

operating systems are found on mobile devices such as phones and tablets. The mobile operating system is generally optimized for touch-based devices where one program is used at a time.

OEM

original equipment manufacturer

AppLocker allows for

policies to be created in Group Policy to control the access to applications. This can be based on the program's path, publisher, or hash. This feature is only available in Windows 10/11 Enterprise edition

RISC

reduced instruction set computing

All operating systems fit into one of four different broad categories:

server, workstation, mobile, or cloud-based operating systems.

Source

the actual code that defines how a piece of software works. Computer operating systems can be open source, meaning that the OS can be examined and modified by anyone, or they can be closed source, meaning that only an owner or developer can modify or examine the code. As an example, Microsoft and macOS are closed source operating systems and Linux is an open source operating system.

what is CPU

the requirement for the central processing unit (CPU) required for an application is often displayed in the form of total CPU processing power of the system. It is often expressed in the form of GHz, and other requirements can include the number of physical CPUs, the number of cores, and even the model of processor.

Server

this operating systems allow for the sharing of information and applications by workstation operating systems. The operating system is optimized for background processes used for access by clients, as opposed to the foreground processes, such as the GUI.

The Start Menu

to display you can press the Windows key on your keyboard at any time. You can also click the Windows logo button in the taskbar in Windows 10 and 8.1. From the Start menu, you can select any of the various options the menu presents.

Group Policy is a feature that is

typically used in conjunction with domain-joined computers. The feature allows for policies to be applied to users and computers in the domain. The settings in these policies can be can be a number of different controls for the user or computer. These settings will also be reapplied every 45 minutes. Although Group Policy is typically used with domain-joined computers, it can also be used locally on the computer to control behavior using the gpedit.msc command.

BitLocker is a

volume-level encryption method that uses a cryptographic key pair that is stored in the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). The TPM is an encryption chip found on a computer's motherboard. If the integrity of the boot process or the encrypted volume is tampered with in any way, the encrypted volume will not be decrypted during the boot process and a message is displayed. This feature is not available on Windows 10/11 Home.

To check which OS you are using, press the Windows key and R key at the same time, type what?

winver.exe