Transcript What is an OPERATING SYSTEM?

Introducing…
Microsoft Windows7
What is WINDOWS?
Windows is an OPERATING
SYSTEM.
Recall: An operating system is
software (i.e. a computer program)
that manages your computer.
What is an OPERATING SYSTEM?
An OS is a computer program that:
1. Controls the hardware of the
computer,
2. Enables you to communicate with
the computer.
3. Organizes the files.
1. OS Controls Hardware
The OS is in charge of allocating
resources to processes, such as:
• CPU time (via multitasking)
• Printer
• disks
2. OS Allows Communication
The OS is the program that enables
communication between a user and a
computer by:
• Accepting data typed in to the
keyboard and mouse clicks
• Determining the proper responses to
input
• Displaying messages
User Interface
A user interface is the combination of
hardware and software that allows you
to communicate with the computer.
• Hardware: monitor, keyboard, mouse.
• Software: programs within the OS
that engage you in dialogue
GUI
The goal of a user interface is to be
user friendly.
GUI = graphical user interface
is an interface that displays graphics to
communicate with the user.
– Windows
– buttons
– menus
3. File Management
• The part of the Windows OS that is
in charge of file management is
called: Windows Explorer.
• Windows explorer helps the user
organize files by displaying, copying,
moving and deleting files and folders.
File Management
• In Windows, files are organized using
folders.
• A folder is also known as a directory.
• Directories have a hierarchical
structure, also called a tree
structure.
Directory Tree
Desktop
Courses
Pictures
Core Major Family Friends
If you right click on the Computer folder and
choose Explore you will see the directory tree
on your left, shown from left to right.
Pathnames
• The pathname of a file (or folder) is the
path from the top of the directory tree
until the file (or folder).
• The pathname tells the exact location of a
file or folder on your computer.
• Example:
C:\Documents and Settings\Desktop\Courses\CIS5.2
Getting Started in Windows 7
Now, we begin the hands-on (less
conceptual  ) intro to Windows.
The WINDOWS Desktop
When you log in to your computer, you
are looking at your Desktop.
The desktop is meant to simulate a
physical desktop, including:
• Files and folders
• Trash can (recycle bin)
• Clock
The Windows Taskbar
• At the bottom of your screen, you
have the Windows taskbar, which
contains:
• Start Button
• Programs that are “pinned to taskbar”
• Icons
• Time and date
The Start Menu
•
•
•
•
•
All Programs Command
Frequently used programs
Help
Search
Shut down
Adding an Icon to the Desktop
• Click the Start Button
• Right Click on Computer
• Choose “Show on Desktop”
In general: the LEFT mouse button
selects, and the RIGHT mouse button
displays a pop-up menu.
Folder Windows
• On left – you see the hierarchy
• On right – you have contents of this
folder
• Address bar (shows “path” or
breadcrumb trails)
• Search box
• Tabs
Expanding a Folder
• If the folders do not appear, click on
“Folders”
• You can see the contents of any
folder in the hierarchy by clicking on
it. (the black arrow means it’s
“expanded” and the empty arrow
means it’s “collapsed”)
Copying & Moving Files
• It is possible to copy and move files
using the folders hierarchy
• RIGHT dragging is the recommended
way of copying, since a menu will pop
up giving the option of move or copy.
Creating a Folder
• You can and should create folders to
keep your files organized.
• You can create a folder within a
folder (and so on).
• You can also rename folders as you
rename files.
Deleting Files and Folders
• Moving to the recycle bin is the same
as choosing “delete”
• You can restore items in the recycle
bin, until you choose to empty the
recycle bin
• Important: You cannot restore items
to a removable drive!
Searching for a file
If you cannot find a file on your
computer:
• Click on start button
• Choose Search
• Type in your search
Always keep your folders and files organized!
Using Help and Support
• Click the Start Button and choose
Help and Support
• Within each application program
there is help as well.
• Don’t underestimate your ability to
help yourself
• Of course, you can always resort to a
google search.