A+ Chapter 13: Operating System Basics

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The most common architecture for CPUs are: If you are installing a 64-bit OS, then the CPU architecture must be: + What about a 32-bit OS?

32-bit and 64-bit architecture. - they are noted as x86 for 32-bit and x64 or AMD64 for 64-bit. If you are installing a 64-bit OS, then you must have at least a 64-bit CPU. If you are installing a 32-bit OS, then you can install it on a 32-bit CPU or 64-bit CPU.

A 32-bit operating system has a hard limit of addressing only ___ of RAM. Most new computer systems on the market today come with ___-bit OS.

4 GB Most new computer systems on the market today come with a preinstalled 64-bit OS.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Universal Windows Platform (UWP)

A development platform for Windows 10/11 that allows for the development of applications across the various Windows 10/11 platforms. - a developer can 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.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Cortana

A digital personal assistant for Windows 10/11 that allows you to control and search Windows 10 with natural speech. - allows for a more natural approach to searching not only on the local computer but also the Internet. In image: the Cortana interface

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Spotlight

A feature in Windows 10/11 that 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 (shown in image)

Windows Network Domain + What controls the user account information for all domain members?

A group of connected Windows computers that share user account information and a security policy. - corporate private networks are usually split into multiple domains, each with different permissions and security configurations. A domain controller manages the user account information for all domain members.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

A method by which a user 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.

Cooperative Multitasking Is this used today in modern operating systems? What happens when an application crashes/locks while using the processor under 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. - It is not used today in modern operating systems. Cooperative Multitasking was the way very early versions of Windows managed multiple applications. Under this method, if any application crashes/locks up while using the processor, the application will be unable to free the processor to do other tasks and the entire system locked, usually forcing a reboot.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Xbox One

A popular gaming console with software based on Windows OS. Content from Microsoft Xbox One can be streamed to a Windows 10/11 device or computer. - this allows for the access of content as well as recording of games from the Windows 10/11 OS

Microsoft Windows Phone OS + What OS do modern Microsoft phones use today? + What category of OS does the Microsoft Windows Phone OS fall under?

An OS that developed from Microsoft purchasing Nokia in 2013 to produce a platform for the Windows Phone furnishing of the tile-based Windows 8 OS. - Microsoft ended the sales of Windows-based phones with this OS, and support for Windows-based phones ended in 2019. The current Microsoft Phone is called the Surface Duo and uses a native Android OS to power the Microsoft 365 suite of applications. Both the original Microsoft Windows Phone OS and the new Surface Duo are considered mobile OSs.

Define the following term related to the life cycle of an OS: Release to Market (RTM) OS

An OS that has passed the release candidate stage and has been released to market for purchase.

Define the following term related to the life cycle of an OS: Release Candidate

An OS 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 OS as though it were the final release. - they can get a previewed look at the OS while also helping to polish the final product An OS in this stage is generally stable and has relatively few bugs.

64-bit OS Can you run 64-bit software with 32-bit hardware? Vice versa?

An OS that is written to utilize the instructions possible with 64-bit processors. You cannot run 64-bit software on 32-bit hardware, but you can run most 32-bit software on 64-bit hardware.

When does an operating system life cycle begin? End?

An operating system life cycle begins when it is introduced and ends when it is no longer supported.

Network

Any group of computers/devices that have a communication link between them. Networks allow computers to share information and resources.

x86

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

Define the following term related to the life cycle of an OS: Mainstream Support + What happens when mainstream support ends?

During the mainstream support of an OS, all hotfixes, security updates, feature updates, and general support for the OS is ongoing and supported. - it begins when the OS is released and extends for a usually predetermined period of time. When the mainstream support ends for an OS, it is either no longer supported or enters into an extended support period.

Before installing an application, you check the vendor's website for system requirements. The documentation you find reveals several different requirements. Describe the Following Important System Requirement for an Application: Memory Requirements

Memory Requirements - the most common requirement that needs to be met before installing an application. - often displays in the form of total RAM for the OS

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Start Menu + How was Windows 8 different in terms of the Start menu? + What did the Windows 10 Start Menu introduce?

The primary location in Windows to search and locate your installed programs and find any files or folders. Windows 10/11 brought back the Start Menu after replacing it completely with a Start Screen in Windows 8. In Windows 10, the Start Menu introduced Live Tiles, which could be placed into the Start Menu to show weather, sports, news, or any other apps installed (shown in image) - in addition, common application shortcuts can be pinned to the Start Menu

List the 3 ways you can lock the Windows Desktop

1. Press the Windows key + L 2. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del, then choose Lock 3. Click the Start Menu, then select your user icon, and click Lock

Generally Know the Steps in Starting Notepad from the Run Window in Windows 10

1. Press the Windows key and the R key at the same time. 2. In the Open field, type notepad 3. Click OK. Notepad will open in a new window.

Generally Know the Steps in Setting up the Windows 10/11 Taskbar to Auto-Hide when it isn't being used

1. Right-click the taskbar 2. Choose Taskbar Settings to bring up the Settings app for the Personalization options. 3. Click the switch to turn on the Automatically Hide the Taskbar in Desktop Mode option. The taskbar will automatically hide when the mode is turned on. 4. Move the mouse pointer to the bottom of the screen. The taskbar will pop up and be available for normal use.

In Windows, a quick way to access Help is to press which keyboard key? A. F12 B. The Windows key on the keyboard C. F1 D. Alt

C A quick method of accessing Help is to press the F1 key. The Windows key on the keyboard launches the Start menu or Start screen. The F12 key and the Alt key perform various tasks, depending on the application.

What is the minimum required memory for a 64‐bit installation of Windows 10? A. 512 MB B. 1 GB C. 2 GB D. 4 GB

C The minimum amount of memory required for the 64‐bit installation of the Windows 10 is 2 GB.

What is the maximum allowable length for the name of a file in Windows? A. 8 characters B. 32 characters C. 64 characters D. 255 characters

D The maximum allowable length for a filename is 255 characters.

Before installing an application, you check the vendor's website for system requirements. The documentation you find reveals several different requirements. Describe the Following Important System Requirement for an Application: Other Requirements + Example

Other Requirements - in addition to common requirements, other requirements must be met before an application can be installed - E.g. the operating system requirement is one such requirement - every application will have a minimum OS on which it can be installed and supported - other requirements can be for specific hardware, licensing, or drivers

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically the file management interface. There are many filename extensions that you may encounter. Generally describe the following files extensions: .exe .dll .sys .log .drv .txt .doc or .docx .mpg .mp3 .png and .tif .htm and .html

.exe - executable files, aka applications .dll - for dynamic linked library files - contain additional functions and commands that applications can use and share .sys - system files .log - log files .drv - driver files .txt - text files .doc or .docx - Microsoft Word document files - docx is the newer version .mpg - video files .mp3 - audio files .png and .tif - graphics files .htm and .html - for web pages - exact same, .htm was created when OSs could only store 3-letter file extensions. Now that they can store 4-letters, .html became available

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically the file management interface. The filename for each file created in Windows has to follow certain rules, and any program that accesses files through Windows must also comply with these rules. State the 4 rules filenames must comply with.

1. Each file has a filename of up to 255 characters 2. Certain characters, such as a question mark and slash, are reserved for other uses and cannot be used in the filename. - periods are used to separate the filename from the extension, and the backslash (\) is used to separate the directories in a path from the filename 3. A filename extension (generally three or four characters) can be added to identify the file's type. 4. Filenames are not case sensitive. - you cannot have a file named working.txt and another called WORKING.TXT in the same folder. To Windows, these are identical.

When it comes to interacting with a mouse in Windows, there are Three Clicks. List and Describe them.

1. Primary mouse click - a single click (typically the left mouse button) to select an object or place a cursor. 2. Double-click - two primary mouse clicks in quick succession are used to open a program through an icon or for other application-specific functions 3. Secondary click (alternate click) - most mice have two buttons. Clicking once on the secondary button (usually the right button) is interpreted differently from a left-mouse click. - generally, this click displays a context-sensitive menu in Windows from which you can perform tasks or view object properties

Generally Know the Steps in Changing a Screen Saver in Windows

1. Right-click the Desktop 2. Choose Personalize from the context menu 3. Click the Lock Screen on the left side 4. Scroll to the bottom and select Screen Saver Settings 5. Choose a screen saver from the drop-down menu (shown in image) 6. Click Preview to view how the screen saver will look. 7. Click OK to exit the Settings window

In addition to right‐clicking the Desktop, how else can you access the Display Properties settings? A. By clicking the Settings gear in the Start menu, then System category. B. By clicking the System icon under Control Panel C. By pressing Ctrl+Alt+Esc D. By pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del

A Clicking the Settings gear in the Start menu will open the Settings app. From there, the System category will allow you to change the Display Properties. Clicking the System icon under Control Panel allows you to change system settings. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Esc launches the Task Manager. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Tab launches the Task View in Windows 10/11.

Which of the following installation methods would you use if you wanted to install a program on a virtual machine? (Choose the best method.) A. ISO B. USB C. Optical disk D. ZIP files

A If you wanted to install a program on a virtual machine, the preferred method would be to mount an ISO image of the application. USB and optical discs are not common installation methods for virtual machines. Although ZIP files could be used, a ZIP file is only a compression method and not a delivery method.

Which of the following was a major change with the introduction of Windows 8? A. Start screen B. Gadgets C. Sidebar D. System tray

A The Start screen was introduced with Windows 8 and replaced the Start menu by providing a full‐screen Start menu. Gadgets and the Sidebar were introduced in Windows Vista. The system tray is what the notification area is now called in the current operating system.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically the principal features of the Start menu. Describe the following feature: Help and Support + How can you access Help?

A Help system preinstalled with Windows OS. A quick way to access the Help and Support system is to press the F1 key - in OSs before Windows 10, a help and support application would launch. - In Windows 10/11, the F1 key launches the web browser, which you can use to search for assistance or to open the Get Help application (shown in image) - alternatively, you can just search Get Help in the Start menu search bar

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: BranchCache + How does it work? + Which of the 4 main editions of Windows (Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise) supports BranchCache? Which doesn't?

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. How it works: When the user saves a file, it is written to the original file server at the main location and then locally cached at the branch offices for any consecutive requests. Windows 10/11 Enterprise is the only main edition of Windows that supports BranchCache.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Remote Desktop + What protocol does it use? + Which of the 4 main editions of Windows (Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise) can act as clients to a Remote Desktop server? + Which of the 4 main editions of Windows (Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise) can act as servers to a Remote Desktop client?

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

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following: Workgroups + When is using workgroups useful? Which of the 4 main editions of Windows (Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise) supports Workgroups? Which doesn't?

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 OSs run under All main versions of Windows support Workgroups.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: BitLocker + What is TPM and how does BitLocker work with TPM? + If the integrity of the boot process is tampered with, what happens? + Which of the 4 main editions of Windows (Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise) supports BitLocker? Which doesn't?

A drive 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, but it can also be software. If the integrity of the boot process or the encrypted volume is tampered with in any way, the encrypted volume will need to be decrypted during the boot process and a message is displayed, otherwise the computer system won't be able to read or access the encrypted files. Windows 10/11 Home does not support this feature.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: DirectAccess + What if you are an employee of a company that uses DirectAccess but you travel a lot for work? + Which of the 4 main editions of Windows (Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise) supports DirectAccess? Which doesn't?

A feature for Windows 10/11 that provides an automatic connection for a virtual private network (VPN) between the client and a main office. - it is location-aware, providing users who travel with access to corporate resources, just as if they were in the office. Windows 10/11 Enterprise is the only main edition of Windows that supports DirectAccess.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Domain-joined computers + What type of networks is this feature usually found in? Why? Which of the 4 main editions of Windows (Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise) supports domain-joined computers? Which doesn't?

A feature in Windows 10/11 that allows 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. - useful for segmenting different parts of a company's network according to security purposes, and therefore it is usually found in corporate networks. - access levels can be managed throughout the person's employment with the organization. When that person leaves, their account will also be terminated. Out of the 4 main editions of Windows, only Home does not support domains.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Pinning to the Taskbar + How is it usually done?

A feature in Windows 10/11 that allows you to choose whether you want to pin (add) an application to the Start Menu, pin it to the taskbar, or remove it if it's already there. This is usually done through the context menu for the application or folder (shown in image)

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Group Policy + How often are settings automatically reapplied? + How can you open the Local Group Policy Editor? Which of the 4 main editions of Windows (Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise) supports Group Policy? Which doesn't?

A feature in Windows 10/11 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 a number of different controls for the user or computer, and settings are automatically reapplied every 45 minutes for security. - 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 (opens up the Local Group Policy Editor) Only Windows 10/11 Home lacks the functionality to apply or manage Group Policy through the GPO editor.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Snap Assist + What is its predecessor? What is the difference?

A feature introduced in Windows 10 which allows for side-by-side automatic windowing of windows on the screen. - it allows for up to four quadrants of the screen to automatically be adjusted using snapping (all you have to do is move the window to the side/quadrant and it will resize itself). Its predecessor was Windows Snap which was first introduced in Windows 7 - it only allowed for snapping 2 windows, each taking up half a screen.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically the principal features of the Start menu. Describe the following feature: Shut Down Command + Why has Microsoft included this command?

A feature that allows you to shut down the computer without waiting or warning, effectively closing all applications and files that are open in memory. Microsoft added the Shut Down command under the Start menu because if you accidentally hit the power switch and turn off the computer while files are open in memory, there is a good chance that they will be corrupted. - the Shut Down command allows for the closing of applications and files before power is turned off for the computer.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically the principal features of the Start menu. Describe the following feature: The Run Command + How can you access the Run dialog box in Windows 10?

A feature used to run commands and utilities from the Cortana search box or from the Run dialog box. To access the Run dialog box in Windows 10, simply press the Windows key and the R key at the same time. To execute a particular program, type its name in the Open field. - if you don't know the exact path, you can browse to find the file by clicking the Browse button.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Windows Hello

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

Software 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 releases of the product.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically the principal features of the Start menu. Describe the following feature: Cortana + What changed in Windows 11 for Cortana?

A personal desktop assistant for Windows introduced in Windows 10 that is integrated into the Start menu. - you can interact with Cortana by typing or speaking into a microphone Cortana is enabled by default and allows you to search without clicking the Start menu (the search box is located to the right of the Start menu) Cortana will search apps installed, documents, and the web. She will even come up with suggestions. In Windows 11, Cortana has become an app and is no longer integrated with the Start menu

File management

The process by which a computer stores data and retrieves it from storage.

Window's File Explorer + previous name? + The main section of the File Explorer window is divided into two panes:

A utility that allows you to accomplish a number of important file-related tasks from a single graphical interface. - instead of using a command prompt, the graphical tools of the File Explorer used to manage the Windows filesystem makes the process far simpler For example: - view files/directories - open programs/data files - create directories/files - copy objects to other locations - move objects to other locations - delete or rename files - change file attributes You can accomplish many of these functions simply by right-clicking a file or folder and selecting the appropriate option from the context menu The previous name for the File Explorer (before 8/8.1 and 10/11) was Windows Explorer. The main section of the File Explorer window is divided into two panes: - the left pane displays the drives and folders available, called the navigation pane - the right pane displays the contents of the currently selected drive or folder, called the results pane

Server OS + What is this OS optimized for?

Allow for the sharing of information and applications by workstation OSs. This OS is optimized for background processes used for access by clients, as opposed to the foreground processes, such as the GUI.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface. Describe the following component: The Taskbar What is the major change to the taskbar in Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10/11 that differed from previous versions? How can you increase the size of the taskbar as well as move its position on the Desktop?

An element of the Windows operating system located at the bottom of the screen (shown in image) On the left side of the taskbar, there is the Start menu On the right side of the taskbar, there is the notification area, previously called the system tray (systray) When you open a new window or program, it gets a button in the middle of the taskbar with an icon. Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10/11 allow you to pin commonly used programs to the taskbar (right-click and select Pin to Taskbar) To increase the size of the taskbar or move its position on the Desktop, first unlock the taskbar (right-clicking and deselecting Lock the Taskbar). Then use the mouse to expand the size or drag it to the top or side of the screen.

In Windows, a deleted file can be retrieved using which of the following? A. My Computer icon B. Recycle Bin C. Control Panel D. Settings app

B The Recycle Bin is a temporary spot that files are deleted to but from where they can be retrieved if deleted mistakenly. The My Computer icon is another, older way to start the File Explorer. Control Panel and the Settings app are used to customize the operating system.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) operating system

An operating system that is preinstalled by the hardware vendor

Which of the following allows you to navigate file/folder structures in Windows? A. Start menu B. File Explorer C. KDE D. GNOME

B The File Explorer allows you to navigate the file/folder structure in Windows. The Start menu allows you to launch applications. KDE and GNOME are Linux desktop shells.

Which of the following is a program that runs on top of the OS and allows the user to issue commands through a set of menus or some other graphical interface? A. Taskbar B. Shell C. Desktop D. Source

B The shell is a program that runs on top of the OS and allows user interaction with the operating system. The taskbar is an element of the Desktop. The Desktop does not allow for commands to be executed. Source is not related to the graphical interface.

If a program doesn't have a shortcut on the Desktop or in the All Apps submenu, you can start it by which of the following methods? (Choose the best answer.) A. Using the shutdown command B. Typing the program name in the Start box C. Using the run command and typing in the name of the program D. Typing cmd in the Start box followed by the program name

B Typing the program name in the Start box allows you to launch the program. The shutdown command will shut down the operating system. Run is not a command; it is a dialog box. The cmd command starts the command‐prompt application.

The Windows File Explorer program can be used to do which of the following? (Choose two.) A. Browse the Internet B. Copy and move files C. Change file attributes D. Create backup jobs

B, C The Windows File Explorer program can be used to copy and move files. Windows File Explorer can also be used to change file attributes. Windows File Explorer cannot be used to browse the Internet or to create backup jobs.

Which of the following can you type in the Start menu in Windows to open a command prompt? (Choose two.) A. run B. cmd C. command D. open

B, C You can open a command prompt by typing cmd or command in the Start menu. The command prompt utility will pop up in the search results. Run is not a command; it is a dialog box. Open is not a command; it is an operating system action.

Know the Purpose for each of the following features of Windows operating systems: BitLocker Domain access vs. workgroup Desktop styles/user interface Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) Group Policy

BitLocker - encrypts drives - available in each OS but not in every edition - See Chapter 18 for More Info Domain access vs. workgroup - shared security for computers and users - See Chapter 15 for More Info Desktop styles/user interface - customization of the desktop and the user interface for preference or convenience - See Chapter 14 for More Info Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) - allows users and administrators to connect remotely to obtain a desktop session - See Chapter 20 for More Info Group Policy - a mechanism inside of Active Directory that allows for the management of users and computers - See Chapters 14 and 17 for More Info

What is the minimum amount of free hard drive space required for the installation of Windows 10 64‐bit? A. 1.5 GB B. 15 GB C. 32 GB D. 60 GB

C The minimum amount of free hard drive space required for Windows 10 64‐bit is 32 GB.

What is the minimum required processor speed for a 64‐bit installation of Windows 10? A. 2.2 GHz B. 3.3 GHz C. 1.0 GHz D. 2.3 GHz

C The minimum processor speed required for the 64‐bit installation of Windows 10 is 1 GHz.

Which of the following is located on the rightmost portion of the taskbar? A. Start menu B. Quick Launch C. Notification area D. Shutdown options

C The notification area is the area on the rightmost portion of the taskbar. It is used to display the date and time and running background applications. The Quick Launch and Start menus are located on the leftmost portion of the taskbar. Shutdown options are found inside the Start menu in Windows 10.

How do you increase the size of the taskbar? A. Right‐click the mouse and drag the taskbar. B. Left‐click the mouse and double‐click the taskbar. C. Move the mouse pointer to the top of the taskbar, pausing until the pointer turns into a double‐headed arrow, and then click and drag. D. Highlight the taskbar and double‐click in the center.

C You can increase the size of the taskbar by placing the cursor over the top of the taskbar and dragging it up. This assumes the taskbar is not locked.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically program windows. Describe each of the basic elements of a window: Control Box Minimize and Maximize/Restore Buttons Close Button Title Bar Menu Bar Active Window + attributes of an active window Border

Control Box - located in the upper-left corner of the window - used to control the state of the application - can be used to maximize, minimize, and close the application - clicking once brings into view a selection menu - clicking twice closes the window and shuts down the application Minimize and Maximize/Restore Buttons - used to change the state of the window Close Button - used to easily end a program and return any resources that it was using to the system - does the same thing as double-clicking the control box, but with one click only Title Bar - the area between the control box and the minimize button - states the name of the program and, in some cases, gives info about the particular document being accessed by that program - clicking on holding on it is an easy way to move the window on the screen Menu Bar - used to present useful commands within an application in an easily accessible format - clicking one of the menu choices displays a list of related options from which you may choose Active Window - the window that is currently being used. It has two attributes: - any keystrokes entered are directed into the active window by default - any other windows that overlap the active window are pushed behind it Border - a thin line that surrounds the window in its restored down state and allows it to be resized

Which part of the operating system can be described as extremely specific software written for the purpose of instructing the OS on how to access a piece of hardware? A. Source code B. Application C. Kernel D. Driver

D A driver is specifically written to instruct the operating system to communicate with a piece of hardware. Source code is the original code the software is written in. An application is a program written to perform a specific purpose to interact with the user. The kernel is the core of the operating system.

To turn off a Windows 10/11 operating system gracefully, you should do which of the following? A. Run the turnoff command at a command prompt. B. Turn off the switch and unplug the machine. C. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del. D. Select Start, then the power icon, and then choose Shut Down.

D In Windows 10/11, when you click the Start button, a power icon is displayed on the lower left or lower right in Windows 11. From the power icon, you can sleep, reboot, or shut down the operating system. There is no command named turnoff. Turning the power switch off and unplugging the machine are not graceful ways to power off the operating system. Pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del alone will not power down the computer.

What is the minimum amount of memory required for a 32‐bit installation of Windows 10? A. 128 MB B. 256 MB C. 512 MB D. 1 GB

D The minimum amount of memory required for the installation of the 32‐bit Windows 10 operating system is 1 GB.

Which operating system feature offers the ability for a single application to have multiple requests into the processor at one time? A. Multiuser mode B. Dystopia C. Preemption D. Multithreading

D When a program is multithreaded, it is written to allow for multiple requests into the processor at one time.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface. You right-click the Desktop in Windows 10 and choose Personalize, which brings up the Display Settings Screen. Describe each of the following components listed in that screen: Background Colors Lock Screen Themes Fonts Screen Saver + how can you access Screen Saver? Start Taskbar

In Image: The Windows 10 Display Settings screen Background - used to select a picture to display on the Desktop. - you can also select a group of pictures to display as a slideshow or display a static color Colors - allows you to select a color scheme for the Start menu or to change the color or size of other Desktop elements Lock Screen - allows you to easily change the lock screen wallpaper as well as the applications that are displayed on the lock screen Themes - allows you to select a theme to customize the look and feel of your machine quickly. - selecting a theme sets several items at once, such as a picture to display on the Desktop, the look of icons, and the sounds to use. Fonts - allows you to review any font installed on the OS - these fonts are used by applications that allow the changing of fonts - you can uninstall fonts and install new fonts from the Microsoft store Screen Saver - can be configured to automatically display on your screen if your computer has been inactive for a certain period of time - you can access Screen Saver in Windows 10/11 by clicking Lock Screen under Personalization and then clicking Screen Saver Settings 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 Taskbar - allows you to change the behavior of the taskbar, such as automatically hiding the taskbar or using smaller buttons

Your organization is planning to upgrade its operating system to Windows 10. Currently all of the laptops used in your organization use Windows 8.1 Pro. The organization eventually wants to roll out the Windows 10 feature of BranchCache. How should you proceed to accommodate the upgrade and the future feature needs?

In order to accommodate the future requirement of BranchCache, your organization will need to purchase a volume license agreement with Microsoft. The BranchCache feature is only available in Windows 10 Enterprise. Windows 8.1 Pro is a retail operating system that can be upgraded to Windows 10 Enterprise. However, the upgrade will require a different 25‐digit product key and activation of the Windows 10 Enterprise operating system.

File Path + What is a file path composed of? + What is the root folder for any drive?

Indicates the location of a file on a storage disk. - it is composed of the letter of the logical drive on which the file is located and, if the file is located in a folder or subfolder, the names of those directories. E.g. if a file named pagefile.sys is located in the root of the C: drive, the path to the file is C:\pagefile.sys E.g. if a file called notepad.exe is located under Windows directory under the root of C:, then the path to this file is C:\Windows\notepad.exe The root folder of any drive where the hierarchy of folders for that drive begin. - on a C: drive, C:\ is the root folder

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically program windows. When an application window has been launched, it exists in one of three window states. List and Describe the 3 States of a Window

Maximized - a maximized window takes up all the available space on the screen. Restored - windows that can used interactively; they can be very small or take up as much space as maximized windows, according to the user's choice Minimized - represented by nothing but an icon and title on the taskbar, they are not usable until they have been either maximized or restored - the difference between a minimized program and a closed program is that a minimized program is out of the way, but still takes up resources and is ready to use.

How can you check which Windows OS you are using?

Press the Windows key and R key at the same time, then type winver.exe and press Enter. - the About Windows Application dialog box will display the version and build number of the OS

Program window (in Windows operating systems)

Rectangular application environments for which the Windows family of operating systems is named. - it is a rectangular area created on the screen when an application is opened

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically the principal features of the Start menu. Describe the following feature: Standard Desktop Icons Describe 4 Standard Desktop Icons: Microsoft Edge Icon The Computer Icon The Network Icon Recycle Bin + "Deleted" files are stored is a folder called: + Icons for files, directories, and programs are generally referred to as what? + How can you add common Desktop icons?

The default number of icons that are placed directly on the Desktop in Windows. Microsoft Edge Icon - included as a standard desktop icon in the latest version of Windows 10 The Computer Icon - included as a standard desktop icon in older versions of Windows. In Windows 8.1 and 10/11, the My Computer icon was renamed This PC and it is not displayed on the desktop by default. - when double-clicked, it will display a list of all the disk drives installed in your computer - it also displays a list of other devices attached to the computer, such as scanners, cameras, and mobile devices The Network Icon - related to accessing other computers connected to the network - lets you browse for and access computers and shared resources (printers, scanners, media devices, etc.) to which your computer can connect. - you can configure your network connections, such as LAN and dial-up connections (if you live in an area where the outdated dial-up is required for Internet) - note that you can only use this when in Workgroup mode. You cannot network browse if the PC is joined to a domain Recycle Bin - icons for files, directories, and programs are generally referred to as objects. - deleting objects removes the ability of the system to access the information or application that the object represents, and sends it to the Recycle bin, a storage for deleted objects - "deleted" files are stored is a folder called \$Recycie.Bin - emptying files in the Recycle Bin erases them permanently You can add common Desktop icons by navigating to Settings -> Personalization -> Themes and clicking Desktop Icon Settings on the right. - A dialog box will appear that allows you to add and change the common Desktop icons.

Define the following term related to the life cycle of an OS: Extended Support + What should an administrator do before the end of the extended support date?

The extended support period, also called the long-term support (LTS) period, for an OS is the final state of an OS's life cycle. For example, for Microsoft OSs during this time, hotfixes and features will no longer be supported, but critical security updates will still be supported. An administrator should have all systems upgraded to the current OS by the end of the extended support date.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface. Describe the following component: The Start Menu + How can you display the Start menu with a single key? + What was different about the Start menu with Windows 8?

The menu in Windows that contains all your applications, settings, and files. You can display the Start menu by pressing the Windows key on your keyboard at any time. - you can also click the Windows logo button in the taskbar. Windows 8 replaced the Start menu with a Start screen. - this was met with considerable backlash from the user community, and subsequently returned back to the Start menu.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface. Describe the following component: The Desktop + What can you do with the Windows Desktop context menu?

The virtual desk on which all your other programs and utilities run. - because it is the foundation on which everything else sits, the way that the Desktop is configured can have a major effect on how the GUI looks and how convenient it is for users. - Right-clicking an empty area of the Desktop to bring up the Desktop context menu (shown in image) allows you to change background patterns, screen saver, color scheme, and size of elements. - You can also create new Desktop items, change how icons are arranged, or select a special command called Properties or Personalize.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically the file management interface. What are wildcards? + What is an asterisk (*) wildcard in Windows File Explorer? + What is a question mark (?) wildcard in Windows File Explorer?

Used when searching for files. They are characters that act as placeholders for a character or set of characters, allowing, for instance, a search for all files with a .txt filename extension. To perform a wildcard search for ex., you can type an asterisk (*) as a stand-in for the filename: *.txt An asterisk takes the place of any number of characters in a search. A question mark (?) takes the place of a single number or letter. - e.g. autoex??.bat can return the file autoexec.bat as part of its results.

You are exploring different parts of the Windows Interface, specifically the principal features of the Start menu. Describe the following feature: Icons + What 3 major elements make up an Icon? + Right-clicking an icon and selecting "Properties" shows what? + What is compatibility mode? How do you access it? When is this helpful?

Visual shortcuts that allow a user to open a program or a utility without knowing where that program is located in the file system or how it needs to be configured. Icons consist of 3 major elements: - icon label - icon graphic - program location or path You can right-click an icon and select Properties from the drop-down menu to bring up the icon's attributes, see exactly which program an icon is configured to start and where the program's executable is located (shown in image) Additional functionality has been added to an icon's properties to allow for the backward compatibility with older versions of Windows - this is called compatibility mode - using compatibility mode, you can open certain applications as if they were running under previous Windows OSs - to configure this, click the Compatibility tab in the Properties menu of the icon and specify the version of Windows for which you want to configure compatibility. - this is helpful if you own programs that used to work in older versions of Windows but no longer run under the current Windows version.

List the Stages of the OS Life Cycle

1. Alpha 2. Beta 3. Release Candidate - then, Release to Market (RTM) OS 4. Current OS - Service Packs 5. Mainstream Support 6. Extended Support 7. End-of-life

Before you begin to install an OS, you must perform 4 tasks. List and Describe these tasks.

1. Determine hardware compatibility and minimum requirements. - will the version of the OS have problems running any of the device drivers for the hardware that you have? - check all of your computer's components against a hardware compatibility list (HCL) or with the manufacturer of the component to ensure that they are compatible with the version of the OS you plan to install. - OS developers also release a list of both minimum and recommended hardware specifications that you should follow when installing that OS 2. Determine installation options. 3. Determine the installation method. - note that some methods work only if you're performing a clean installation, not an upgrade. 4. Prepare the computer for installation.

What are the 2 critical functions of an operating system?

1. Interfacing with the hardware 2. Providing a platform on which other applications can run

All operating systems fit into one of four broad categories. List the four broad categories of operating systems.

1. Server OS 2. Workstation OS 3. Mobile OS 4. Cloud-based OS

You are determining hardware compatibility and minimum requirements for an OS. Operating system vendors have developed several versions of hardware compatibility lists (HCLs). What is an HCL? + Does Microsoft still use HCLs? + What if a hardware product is not on the HCL of the OS you plan to install?

A list of all the hardware that works with the operating system. Since Windows 10, Microsoft has gotten rid of HCLs, therefore it is the responsibility of the vendor to certify the compatibility of the hardware with Microsoft. - however, many OS vendors still have a recommended HCL. If a product is not on the list, that does not mean it will not work; it just means it has not been tested. - you might be able to use that hardware with the OS, but understand there may be issues or it's possible it won't work at all.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Microsoft Edge + Edge is the successor to which program? + Current versions of Edge are redesigned using which source code?

A web browser for Windows 10/11 that has been developed as a lightweight web browser (shown in image). - released in 2015 for Windows 10, it is the successor to Internet Explorer - current versions are redesigned upon the Chromium source code

Workstation OS + What is this OS optimized for? + Workstation versions of Microsoft Windows are limited to how many concurrent users for background sharing?

Allow end users to access information and applications on server OSs as well as independently run applications and store files locally. This OS is optimized for foreground processes, such as the GUI, as opposed to background processes. Background sharing is usually limited to a specific number of users; workstation versions of Microsoft Windows are limited to 10 concurrent users

iPadOS + What category of OS does this OS fall under?

An OS designed for the Apple iPad in 2019. - it is a variant of the popular Apple iOS with better multitasking features and a better home screen. - this allows the Apple iPad to behave more like a lightweight laptop than a tablet. it is considered a mobile operating system.

Chrome OS + What category of OS does this OS fall under? + Describe the applications used by Chrome OS

An OS that is designed around the Chrome web browser by Google. First released on the hardware platform known as the Chromebook, which is considered one of the first Ultrabooks. Workstation-type devices called Chromeboxes have been released to the market using this OS. Chrome OS is a true cloud-based operating system, since all its data is stored in the Google Drive cloud-based storage system. Applications, which are really just web plug-ins, can be installed from the Chrome Web Store. - the applications are written in HTML, HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, which allow cross-platform support between Chrome OS and the Chrome web browser installed on a PC or Mac.

In-place upgrade + When is this preferable?

An upgrade in which you upgrade the current OS (or other software) to the desired version. - elements of the previous version remain - usually preferable because it retains settings, files, and applications without them needing to be backed up and restored

iOS + What category of OS does this OS fall under? + Why is it popular?

Apple created the iOS as a tile-based mobile operating system, originally released with the first iPhone in 2007 as the iPhone Operating System (iOS), and then was later used for the iPod Touch and the first iPad. Apple iOS is a popular mobile OS in today's market, primarily attributed to Apple's strong support for the accompanying hardware. The Apple App Store also creates a strong ecosystem for downloading, installing, and purchasing applications, books, music, and video for the iOS.

Before installing an application, you check the vendor's website for system requirements. The documentation you find reveals several different requirements. Describe the Following Important System Requirement for an Application: Architecture Requirements

Architecture Requirements - the architecture of the CPU and the OS needs to match the application requirements for 32-bit or 64-bit applications - the architecture must meet or exceed the requirements of the application. - E.g. if the application needs a 64-bit architecture, then the CPU and OS need to support 64-bit operations. - E.g. if the application requires a 32-bit architecture, then a 32-bit or 64-bit CPU and OS can accommodate the requirements

Microsoft released Windows 10 as a successor to Windows 8.1, with the key goal of:

Bridging the gap for cloud-based services while polishing the Windows 8.1 interface.

Before installing an application, you check the vendor's website for system requirements. The documentation you find reveals several different requirements. Describe the Following Important System Requirement for an Application: CPU Requirements

CPU Requirements - often displayed in the form of total CPU processing power of the system - 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

x64 Also commonly referred as what? Why?

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

ARM What instruction set do these OSs use? This instruction set is common in processors on which types of devices? ARMv8-A processors can support which OSs?

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

Android OS + What category of OS does this OS fall under? + Why is it popular?

Created by Google as a tile-based mobile operating system. Android OS-based phones and tablets have become very popular in the mobile operating system market, primarily attributed to the application ecosystem that the Google Play store creates. - the Google Play store enables users to purchase, download, and install applications, books, music, and videos for the Android OS.

Before installing an application, you check the vendor's website for system requirements. The documentation you find reveals several different requirements. Describe the Following Important System Requirement for an Application: Display Requirements

Display Requirements - when data is displayed in a specific format, the application designers has formatted the application to a minimum display area, often in the form of pixels (such as 1024 x 768) - although pixels are the most common display format, another type of requirement is a graphics processing unit (GPU). A specific GPU may be required if the application will process video or graphics.

Drivers

Extremely specific software written for the purpose of instructing a particular OS on how to access a piece of hardware. For example, each modem or printer has unique features and configuration settings, and the driver allows the OS to understand how the hardware works and what it is able to do.

Mobile OS + What is this OS optimized for?

Found on mobile devices such as phones and tablets. The mobile OS is generally optimized for touch-based devices where one program is used at a time.

Describe the following way an application can be installed: ISO Mountable + What does "mounting" an ISO mean?

ISO Mountable - replacing optical disc installations, mountable ISO images of the physical media have become the new norm - when you need to install an OS or application, you simply download the media from the vendor, mount the ISO, and install it as if you have a virtual optical drive - "mounting" an ISO means to access its contents as if it was recorded on a physical medium and then inserted in the optical drive. The ISO is essentially a virtual optical disc, and when you mount it, you are reading it with a virtual optical disc drive. - ISO sizes will vary from 500 MB to 9.6 GB with normal CD and DVD formats, while Blu-ray discs can be up to 45 GB

When performing an upgrade of an OS, instead of a clean installation, from your current Windows edition to another Windows edition, it's recommended that you use like-to-like editions of Windows. What are like-to-like editions?

Like-to-like editions are editions with similar functionality, such as: - Windows 7 Home Premium to Windows 10/11 Home - Windows 7 Professional to Windows 10/11 Professional - Windows 8/8.1 Education to Windows 10/11 Education

You are determining hardware compatibility and minimum requirements for an OS. What is the difference between minimum specifications and recommended hardware specifications?

Minimum specifications are the absolute minimum requirements for hardware that your system should meet in order to install and run the OS version you have chosen. Recommended hardware specifications are what you should have in your system in order to realize usable performance. - you should always strive to at least meet the recommended hardware specifications In addition to minimum requirements, the hardware chosen must be compatible with the selected version of the OS. Image shows Windows 10 and Windows 11 minimum system requirements

Describe the following way an application can be installed: Network Installation + When is this installation method preferred?

Network Installation - this should be your first choice when you need to install an application on many different PCs, often simultaneously - 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

Before installing an application, you check the vendor's website for system requirements. The documentation you find reveals several different requirements. Describe the Following Important System Requirement for an Application: Prerequisites Requirements

Prerequisites Requirements - 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

Microsoft Windows Tablet OS + Originally released with what type of processor? What is the current processor used for this OS? + What category of OS does this OS fall under?

Released with the Surface tablet in 2012 alongside the release of the tile-based Windows 8 OS. Originally released with an ARM-based processor, but today it is sold mainly with Intel-based processors to compete with Ultrabooks (subnotebook computers). The OS today is a full version of Windows 11 and is considered a mobile OS

Application What are applications configured for? How do applications save programming overhead by working with OSs through shared executable code?

Software used to accomplish a particular task - software that is written to supplement the commands available to a particular OS. Each application is specifically compiled (configured) for the OS on which it will run. - for this reason, the application relies on the OS to do many of its basic tasks. When accessing devices and memory, the programs can simply request that the OS do it for them - this arrangement saves substantially on programming overhead because much of the executable code is shared - it is written into the operating system and can therefore be used by multiple applications running on that OS

Source code What does open source OS mean? What does closed source OS mean?

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. - e.g. Linux They can also be closed source (or proprietary), meaning that the source code is not publicly available and only an owner or developer can modify or examine the code. - e.g. Microsoft and macOS

Why is it common practice for network administrators to skip versions of every other OS? - for ex. If you have a certain version of Windows OS for your company, you will wait until 2 new versions come out before upgrading the OS

This is due to the long-term support for the current OS and the amount of work required to upgrade an entire organization's OSs. - in addition to these factors, many hardware vendors support the current OS plus the last release - however, once the next OS is released after the newest one, the lack of support for the old OS will force an upgrade

Describe the following way an application can be installed: USB Drive + What are the advantages? Disadvantages?

USB Drive - installation through USB flash drives - popular since applications are outgrowing optical media - faster and stores more than optical media - useful if a handful of computers require the application - disadvantage is that simultaneous installations are limited to the number of flash drives you have with the application loaded - another problem is that the USB drives are lost from time to time or inadvertently overwritten. In response, many application vendors lock their drives.

Describe the following way an application can be installed: User-Initiated Installation + When is this installation method preferable? + What must you ensure the user account has before using this installation method?

User-Initiated Installation - these installations are used when the administrator of the PC will start the installation manually - the method is preferable when the administrator is expected to show an installation demonstration or answer specific questions during the installation, such as how and where to install the application - the installation of any application generally requires that the user be an administrator or have elevated privileges; if user-initiated installation is chosen as the method for deploying an application, you must ensure the user account has appropriate permissions

Before installing an application, you check the vendor's website for system requirements. The documentation you find reveals several different requirements. Describe the Following Important System Requirement for an Application: Video Random Access Memory (VRAM) Requirements

Video Random Access Memory (VRAM) Requirements - 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

You are comparing the features of the 4 main editions of Windows 10/11: Home Pro Pro for Workstations Enterprise Which edition fits the following notes: - includes BitLocker - includes support for domain joining - includes support for Group Policy - includes support for DirectAccess - includes support for AppLocker - includes support for BranchCache - this edition is only available through a volume license subscription

Windows 10/11 Enterprise

You are comparing the features of the 4 main editions of Windows 10/11: Home Pro Pro for Workstations Enterprise Which edition fits the following notes: - lacks support for Remote Desktop (client only) - lacks support for BitLocker - lacks support for Windows To Go - lacks support for Hyper-V - lacks support for joining a domain - lacks support for participating in Group Policy - this edition is strictly for consumer use

Windows 10/11 Home

You are comparing the features of the 4 main editions of Windows 10/11: Home Pro Pro for Workstations Enterprise Which edition fits the following notes: - can join a Windows server domain - includes Remote Desktop Server - includes BitLocker - includes Windows To Go - includes Hyper-V - allows for participation in Group Policy - includes support for 6 TB of RAM and up to 4 physical CPUs

Windows 10/11 Pro for Workstations

What must you do before installing an application?

You must collect information on the requirements of the application to make sure that your system can satisfy the requirements (usually found on the application vendor's website). - if your system cannot meet the requirements, then you may have to upgrade the system.

Once the requirements are met for an application and the considerations are investigated, you are ready to install the application. What task must you do next?

You must now consider how the application will be installed - the number of machines on which the application will be installed will factor into this consideration

You want to perform an in-place upgrade (instead of a clean installation) to Windows 10/11 and you want to retain settings and applications. What are the 5 prerequisites/recommendations for doing this?

1. You must have at least Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 installed. - e.g. if you have Windows Vista installed, you would need to first term-77perform an in-place upgrade to Windows 7 SP1. Then you could perform an in-place upgrade to Windows 10/11. 2. It is always recommended to have the highest level of service pack or version prior to performing an upgrade - e.g. it's recommended to upgrade to Windows 8 to Windows 8.1 before upgrading to Windows 10/11 - it minimizes problems during the upgrade process 3. Be sure to note that you cannot switch architecture during an in-place upgrade - if you have a 32-bit installation of Windows, then you will need to upgrade to a 32-bit version of Windows 10. - you can switch architectures only when performing a clean installation, which means you must back up and restore settings, files, and applications. 4. It is always recommended to have a backup of your installation before you begin upgrading. 5. Check application compatibility and hardware compatibility prior to upgrading - when upgrading to Windows 10/11, check with the vendors of your applications/hardware to ensure that they are compatible with that edition of Windows - for most hardware, a simple upgraded driver is required; however there are hardware that are completely incompatible and therefore must be replaced.

Preemptive Multitasking What happens if an application crashes/locks while using the processor under preemptive multitasking? Is this used today in modern operating systems?

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. Therefore, 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 crash/lock, only the locked application will stall, not the entire system (unlike cooperative multitasking). Preemptive multitasking is what is used today in modern operating systems.

Cloud-based OS + It is also referred to as what? Why? + Example?

A new breed of OS that has emerged from the mobile computing era that is optimized for cloud-based sharing of information and applications. Also considered stateless operating systems, since personal data is not primarily stored on the device but in the cloud. Mobile OSs can be considered cloud-based operating systems. Chrome OS is an example of a cloud-based OS that is not a mobile OS.

Shell How do shells make an OS easier to use? What is the name of the Windows OS 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 so that users can communicate directly with the OS. Windows shell is the name of Windows OS shell. - it has elements such as the Desktop, Start menu, Taskbar, etc.

The adoption of the cloud now makes traditional OSs such as Windows and macOS act more like stateless mobile-based OSs. How has stateless operating systems helped enterprises? How has stateless operating systems helped individual consumers?

A stateless operating system does not store data on the device, but rather in a remote server. In an enterprise, this OS can be set up with all the applications a user needs to do their job, along with access to all their files. - if the device breaks, is stolen, goes missing, or is upgraded to new hardware, a new device can be provisioned and everything gets set up just like their previous device through the cloud. Individual consumers have also benefitted from the cloud; when they purchase a new device to replace their old one, all they have to do is sign into the cloud service and their files and applications will automatically be transferred over and installed.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Microsoft Defender Antivirus + What can it defend against?

An antivirus and antimalware utility built into the Windows 10/11 OS (shown in image). You can install your own antivirus and antimalware, but the Microsoft Defender Antivirus allows for protection from the time that Windows is installed. Microsoft Defender Antivirus can defend against viruses, malware, and even ransomware.

Clean installation

An OS (or other software) installation where any previous version is completely absent or completely overwritten from the system. - be sure to back up settings, files, and applications and then restore them in the new OS, otherwise they will be lost in the installation.

Linux OS + What category of OS does the Linux OS fall under?

An OS that was created as a free, open source OS by Linus Torvalds; it was created to mimic the design of the MUNIX (mini-UNIX) OS, which was a minimal version of UNIX that was originally used for academic purposes. Today, the Linux kernel (core of the OS) remains a free, open source platform upon which many different Linux distributions have been created, such as Ubuntu, Fedora, CentOS, etc. The Linux OS is considered both a workstation OS and a server OS, depending on its installation and configuration.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Action Center + How can you access Action Center?

An application for Windows 10/11 that allows for quick control of features such as VPN, Settings, and Tablet mode. - also acts as an aggregation for social media, email, and OS 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 message (shown in image)

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Task View + How can you access Task View?

An application for Windows 10/11 that 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. - you can even drag applications and files from one desktop to another - you can access the Task View windows by pressing Windows key + Tab

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following features: BitLocker BitLocker To Go Which of the 4 main editions of Windows (Home, Pro, Pro for Workstations, Enterprise) supports BitLocker? Which doesn't?

An application for Windows 10/11 that allows you to use drive encryption to protect files, including those needed for startup and login (shown in image). - available in all editions of Windows 10/11, except for Windows 10/11 Home - for removable drives, BitLocker To Go provides the same encryption technology to help prevent unauthorized access to the files stored on them. Out of the 4 main editions of Windows, only Home lacks support for BitLocker.

You are inspecting the list of features introduced and associated with the Windows 10/11 OS that you should know for the A+ exam. Describe the following feature: Settings App + How is it different than the Control Panel? + How can you access the Settings App in Windows 10/11?

An application in Windows 10/11 similar to Control Panel in functionality, because you control many aspects of the OS (shown in image) However, any new features being added to the Windows 10/11 OS is added to the Settings app instead of the creation of new Control Panel applets. - it looks like the Control Panel will become a legacy component in future versions of Windows You can access the Settings app be clicking the Start Menu and selecting the gear on the left-hand side. - you can also right-click the Start menu and select Settings from the context menu.

32-bit OS What came first, 32-bit processors or 32-bit OSs? Can you execute 64-bit software on 32-bit OSs?

An operating system that can not only run on a 32-bit processor, but can utilize the capabilities of the processor fully. 32-bit processors came first, and it took a long time before operating systems were able to utilize their features. You cannot execute 64-bit software on 32-bit operating systems; the instructions sets are functionally different.

Describe the following way an application can be installed: Automated Installation + When is it preferred to use this type of installation method? + What are the two types of automated installations? + Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) is what type of automated installation? + Group Policy is what type of automated installation?

Automated Installation - un unattended installation where an administrator is not present during the installation of the application(s). - used when the conformity of the installation is required (multiple PCs with the same application and application configurations). Two types of automated installations: Push Installations Pull Installations Push-based automated installations are installations in which the administrator can push an application out to clients. - E.g. Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) can deploy applications to multiple PCs with a push installation - each client in the network will have the MECM agent installed prior to the push installation of the application. - the agent will report statistics on the current OS to determine if you can satisfy the requirements of the application before installation Pull-based automated installations are installations in which the client pulls, or queries, for the application to be installed. - E.g. Group Policy application deployment is a pull type of automated installation, since the client is responsible for pulling the application and installing it.

True or False: You can switch architecture during an in-place upgrade to Windows 10/11. E.g. if you have a 32-bit installation of Windows, you can upgrade to a 64-bit installation of Windows 10.

False. You cannot switch architecture during an in-place upgrade. If you have a 32-bit installation of Windows, the you will need to upgrade to a 32-bit version of Windows 10. You can switch architectures only when performing a clean installation. If you have a 32-bit version of Windows and want to upgrade to the 64-bit Windows 11, you must completely reinstall the operating system (which involves backing up and restoring settings, files, and applications)

You are preparing to install an application. The requirements for the application are satisfied, the security of the application is evaluated, and an installation method is chosen. There are still several other considerations before installing to ensure it does not impose unintended problems on the organization and network. List and Describe Other Considerations for New Applications: Impact to ___ Impact to ___ Impact to ___ Impact to ___

Impact to Device - impact to device should be minimal if the application requirements are satisfied - e.g. if you install an application that constantly logs, you could find that the hard drive will fill up quickly and other applications could run more slowly due to the drive activity - on the other hand, impact may be subtle and manifest over a longer period of time Impact to Network - the bandwidth the application needs to operate should be evaluated - if more demand is placed on the application, bandwidth will increase - e.g. if you install a network video recorder (NVR) and add more and more cameras, bandwidth usage can sharply increase Impact to Operations - the operations of the OS, or the information system the OS serves, can be negatively impacted - e.g. if you were to install an Office package on a point-of-sale (POS) system, you could negatively affect the ability of the system to process sales Impact to Business - some applications have an impact on the business or organization itself - e.g. applications can affect human resources (HR), customer relationship management (CRM), and sales systems.

Before installing an application, you check the vendor's website for system requirements. The documentation you find reveals several different requirements. Describe the Following Important System Requirement for an Application: Licensing Requirements Describe the following examples of licenses: node-locked license network-based license server external hardware tokens

Licensing Requirements - 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 on a licensed network. - external hardware tokens license an application with the use of a USB dongle or hardware device that allows the program to run.

Before installing an application, you check the vendor's website for system requirements. The documentation you find reveals several different requirements. List Important System Requirements for an Application:

Memory CPU Architecture Storage Prerequisites Display VRAM Licensing Other requirements Note that these requirements are often the minimum requirements. You should always strive to surpass even the recommended system requirements.

Microsoft Windows OS + What category of OS does the most recent Windows version fall under?

One of the most popular operating systems adopted by business and personal users, which is created by Microsoft Windows. Windows 11, the most current version, is considered a workstation OS.

List the ways an application can be installed

Optical Disc ISO Mountable USB Drive Network Installation User-Initiated Installation Automated Installation

Describe the following way an application can be installed: Optical Disc + When is this installation method preferred? When is it not preferred?

Optical Disc - installation through an optical disc - a CD/DVD/Blue-ray drive installation is a good option if the installation is a one-time installation - not preferred if you must install the application on several different PCs - note that when installing from optical media, the fastest optical drive is slow compared to other methods, such as USB

Operating System (OS) + List the 4 tasks the OS performs when communicating with hardware + List the 5 resources the OS interacts with

Software that provides a consistent environment for other software to execute commands. The OS provides users with an interface with the computer so that they can send commands (input) and receive feedback or results (output). The OS is the center through which the system hardware, other software, and the user communicate. - the OS coordinates the communication between the rest of the components of the system The OS must communicate with the computer hardware to perform the following tasks: - Disk storage and file management - Device access - Memory management - Output formatting The OS interacts with (shown in image): - Processor - Devices - Memory - Input/Output - Storage

You are planning to install an application and are checking the application's system requirements. What is most likely the biggest consideration when evaluating the installation of an application that will store user data?

Storage - it is extremely difficult to gauge how much storage should be set aside for the application for user data

Before installing an application, you check the vendor's website for system requirements. The documentation you find reveals several different requirements. Describe the Following Important System Requirement for an Application: Storage Requirements

Storage Requirements - often displayed in MB, GB or TB, depending on the application. - the storage requirement is often the free space required to install the application - some software packages require the storage of user data also, in which case they will display a separate storage requirement for the data

Microsoft released Windows 10 in 2015, and offered a free upgrade from Windows 7, 8, and 8.1. The Windows 10 upgrade was initiated by what?

The Windows 10 upgrade was initiated by the Get Windows 10 (GWX) upgrade tool, which was installed via a Windows Update. - this tool was automatically installed on Windows OSs and just about forced users to upgrade. - the free upgrade was limited to the first year of the Windows 10 release, and thus Windows 10 was rapidly adopted and continues to be adopted as other Windows OSs end mainstream support

Multithreading What is the result of multithreading?

The ability of a single application to have multiple requests in to the processor at one time. - in terms of the CPU, it is the ability of a CPU to provide multiple threads of execution concurrently, supported by the operating system - this results in faster application performance because it allows a program to do many things at once.

High-performance computing (HPC) + What edition of Windows was preinstalled on high-end hardware for HPC requirements? It allows up to how many CPUs and how much RAM?

The ability to process more data and perform complex calculations at higher speeds than conventional off-the-shelf computing technologies. Windows 10 Pro for Workstations was preinstalled on high-end hardware for HPC requirements and allows up to 4 CPUs and 6 TB of RAM.

Random Access Memory (RAM) + What does Random Access mean? What does it hold? Most computer systems on the market today are sold with at least ___ of RAM. What is the normal amount of RAM in today's systems?

The amount of memory installed and accessible for an operating system. - Random Access means that data can be accessed from any storage location, in contrast to older systems (such as CD-RWs) where memory has to be accessed in a fixed sequence, which is slower. The OS uses RAM to hold its operating system code, as well as the programs you open on the OS. - 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 - newer programs are requiring more and more RAM to operate properly, so upgrades to 8 GB of RAM are the new normal

Define the following term related to the life cycle of an OS: Current OS + What is the typical release cycle for OSs?

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.

End-of-life (EOL) date

The date when an OS will no longer receive updates. - newer features will not be added to the OS in the future - security updates will no longer be offered, putting the OS and information at risk of compromise

Define the following term related to the life cycle of an OS: Alpha

The first draft of an OS. OSs that are available in alpha are considered previews. - it is common to find these in open source communities, such as Linux OSs - it is uncommon to find a corporate-based OS in alpha

Apple Macintosh OS (macOS) + What category of OS does the macOS fall under?

The operating system for Apple Macintosh laptops and other computer hardware platforms. The macOS is considered a workstation OS.

How does installing an application affect the overall security of the OS? What type of application poses the largest security risk? What can you do for these types of applications?

The overall security of the OS can potentially be compromised due to vulnerabilities in the application. - applications rely on the OS to perform many basic tasks, therefore establishing a potential security risk due to this link to the OS. - in response to this, applications now include self-updating capabilities. Applications that operate over the network with client-server functionality pose the largest security risks - this is because they allow for remote exploitation of vulnerabilities, as well as the potential to spread these risks across many computers. - if network applications are not updated frequently, you can protect them by using a firewall for the service.

Define the following term related to the life cycle of an OS: Beta

The second draft of an OS. This stage of an OS 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 OS developers require an opt-in to run a beta OS, and some require invites to a beta program that mandates participation.

Define the following term related to the life cycle of an OS: Service Pack + What are service packs called by Windows OSs?

When a service pack is released for an OS, it adds major features as well as patches for both security and functionality. Also called Updates by Windows OSs, however many other OSs still use the term "service pack".

Windows 10 has 15 different editions. List and Describe the 4 Editions of Windows 10 that you need to know for the A+ exam + What is an OEM operating system? + What is the most common Windows OEM operating system? + There are 32-bit and 64-bit versions available for each of the editions except:

Windows 10 Home - sold as a retail product, and it's preinstalled by the hardware vendor - a preinstalled OS is referred to as an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) operating system - lacks the key features of joining a domain that can only be found in Windows 10 Pro or Enterprise Windows 10 Pro (Professional) - the premier retail edition of the Windows 10 OS. - it is the most common OEM operating system because it allows users to join corporate domains and becomes value-added for the hardware vendor Windows 10 Pro for Workstations - primarily preinstalled on high-end computer workstations that require more than 2 CPUs and that need to address more than 2 TB of memory - supports up to 4 CPUs and 6 TB of memory - in addition, it supports Remote Direct Memory Access and Non-Volatile Dual Inline Memory Modules (NVDIMMs) Windows 10 Enterprise - supports all features of Windows 10 Pro and can be found in mid- to large-sized organizations - supports features generally found in mid- to large-sized organizations - unavailable off-the-shelf; it can only be purchased with a volume license subscription from Microsoft There are 32-bit and 64-bit versions available for each of the editions except Windows 10 Pro for Workstations (has only the 64-bit version) since it is specifically used for high-performance computing (HPC).

You are comparing the features of the 4 main editions of Windows 10/11: Home Pro Pro for Workstations Enterprise For each of the 4 main editions of Windows 10/11, state the: Maximum RAM supported Maximum physical CPUs supported (multiple cores)

Windows 10/11 Home Maximum RAM supported: 128 GB Maximum physical CPUs supported (multiple cores): 2 Windows 10/11 Pro Maximum RAM supported: 2 TB Maximum physical CPUs supported (multiple cores): 2 Windows 10/11 Pro for Workstations Maximum RAM supported: 6 TB Maximum physical CPUs supported (multiple cores): 4 Windows 10/11 Enterprise Maximum RAM supported: 6 TB Maximum physical CPUs supported (multiple cores): 2

You are comparing the features of the 4 main editions of Windows 10/11: Home Pro Pro for Workstations Enterprise Which edition fits the following notes: - can join a Windows server domain - includes Remote Desktop Server - includes BitLocker - includes Windows To Go - includes Hyper-V - allows for participation in Group Policy - includes support for 2 TB RAM and 2 physical processors

Windows 10/11 Pro


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