MODULE 2.docx

# Basic computer operations This section details the fundamental operations of a computer, including its power management, user access, and basic system and desktop configuration. ## 1. Basic computer operations ### 1.1 Starting the computer To start a computer, ensure all cables are securely connected to the rear of the machine. Locate the power switch and turn the computer on. If no image appears on the screen, verify that the monitor is also switched on. ### 1.2 Shutting down the computer Before shutting down, it is crucial to save any open files and close all running applications. Always use the "Shut Down" command provided by the operating system. Do not switch off the main power to the machine until the computer has completely powered down. ### 1.3 Restarting the computer Never abruptly switch off a Windows-based computer. Always use the "Shut Down" command for proper closure. To restart, click the "Start" button, then click the power button. From the options that appear, select "Restart" if you wish to shut down and immediately restart the computer. ### 1.4 Signing in and out from the computer network #### 1.4.1 Signing in When using a computer, you might be in a standalone environment (like a home PC) or part of a computer network. To sign in: 1. On the welcome screen, locate the "Other User" option, typically found on the left side, bottom. 2. Enter your assigned username in the designated text box. 3. Enter your assigned password in the password text box. 4. Press "Enter" or click "Submit" to log on. #### 1.4.2 Signing out To sign out from the computer: 1. Click the "Start" button. 2. Click on your user profile. 3. Select "Sign out" from the list. This action will disconnect your network connection. #### 1.4.3 Switching accounts To switch between user accounts on the computer: 1. Click the "Start" button. 2. Click on your user profile. 3. Select "Switch Account" from the list. ### 1.5 System configuration Upon initial startup, a computer displays various system information on the screen. To view system properties: 1. On the Desktop, right-click on "This PC" to open a context menu. 2. Select the "Properties" command from the menu. This action will open the "System Properties" dialog box, which displays details such as the installed Windows version ("Windows edition"), the type of processor ("CPU type"), and the amount of installed memory ("RAM"). ### 1.6 Desktop and icons The desktop displays various types of icons: * **System icons:** Represent core operating system elements. * **Application icons:** Shortcuts to launch specific programs. * **Folder icons:** Represent directories used to organize files. * **File icons:** Represent individual data files. ### 1.7 Desktop configuration The desktop's appearance and settings can be customized. Right-clicking on an empty area of the desktop opens a context menu. From this menu, users can access options to change various desktop elements, including the background wallpaper, colors, and other visual settings. ### 1.8 Creating a desktop shortcut To create a shortcut for an application on the desktop: 1. Click the "Start" button. 2. Locate the icon of the application you wish to create a shortcut for within the Start Menu. 3. Click and drag the application icon from the Start Menu directly onto the desktop. A shortcut icon for the application will then be created and displayed on the desktop. ### 1.9 Common parts of a window Windows in an operating system typically include several standard components: * **Title Bar:** Displays the name of the application and the current document. * **Toolbar:** Contains buttons for frequently used commands. * **Menu Bar:** Lists available menus (e.g., File, Edit, View) containing commands. * **Status Bar:** Located at the bottom, it provides information about the current state of the window or application. * **Scroll Bar:** Appears when content exceeds the visible area, allowing users to scroll through the content. #### 1.9.1 Resize, minimize, and close the window Users can manipulate the size and state of a window using its control buttons, typically located in the title bar. This includes resizing the window to fit a desired space, minimizing it to the taskbar, or closing it entirely. ### 1.10 Moving between open windows To switch between multiple open application windows: 1. Click on the respective application icon displayed in the Taskbar. 2. Alternatively, features like "Task View" (if available) can provide an overview of all open windows for easy selection. ### 1.11 File management with Windows 10 #### 1.11.1 Folder and subfolder definition * **Folder:** A container used to store files, shortcuts, icons, and other subfolders. * **Subfolder (or Subdirectory):** A folder located inside another folder. Folders can hold various types of files, including documents, music, pictures, videos, and programs. Windows facilitates easy browsing and management of files and folders stored on the computer. Users can copy or move files from other locations (like other folders, computers, or the internet) into created folders. It is also possible to create nested folders (folders within folders). #### 1.11.2 Navigation pane The Navigation pane, usually located on the left side of a File Explorer window, allows users to view and access their computer's file and folder structure, including drives (like USB flash drives or hard disk partitions) and network locations. #### 1.11.3 Key locations within File Explorer * **OneDrive:** A free cloud storage service offered by Microsoft for users with a Microsoft account. * **This PC:** Contains all user-created folders, hard disk partitions, external hard drives, USB flash drives, CD/DVD drives, and network location drives. * **Network:** If the computer is connected to a network, this option allows access to folders stored on network resources. #### 1.11.4 Address bar The Address Bar displays the complete path to the currently selected folder, indicating its location within the file system hierarchy. #### 1.11.5 Search box The Search Box allows users to find specific subfolders or files within the current folder or its subfolders. #### 1.11.6 Frequent folders This section displays folders that are accessed most often, providing quick access to commonly used locations. #### 1.11.7 Recent files This area shows files that have been opened most recently, offering another method for quickly retrieving previously accessed items. --- # File management with Windows 10 This section of the document focuses on understanding and utilizing file management features within the Windows 10 operating system, including the organization of files and folders, navigation, and access to cloud and network storage. ### 2.1 Organizing files and folders Windows 10 provides a structured environment for managing digital assets through the use of folders and subfolders. #### 2.1.1 Folders and subfolders * **Folder:** A folder acts as a container for organizing files, shortcuts, and other subfolders. These containers can hold various types of files, such as documents, music, pictures, videos, and programs. * **Subfolder (Subdirectory):** A subfolder is simply a folder located within another folder, allowing for hierarchical organization and deeper levels of categorization. > **Tip:** Effective use of folders and subfolders is crucial for maintaining an organized and efficient digital workspace, making it easier to locate specific files when needed. #### 2.1.2 Navigating the file system Windows 10 offers intuitive ways to navigate through the computer's file structure. * **Navigation pane:** This pane, typically found on the left side of a File Explorer window, displays the hierarchical structure of your computer's files and folders. It allows you to easily access drives (like hard disk partitions, external hard drives, USB flash drives, CD/DVD drives) and network locations. * **Address bar:** Located at the top of a File Explorer window, the address bar displays the complete path to the currently selected folder. This helps users understand their current location within the file system. * **Search box:** Situated within File Explorer, this box allows users to quickly search for specific subfolders or files within the current folder or its subdirectories. * **Frequent folders:** This section, often found in File Explorer's Quick Access area, displays folders that have been opened most frequently, providing rapid access to commonly used locations. * **Recent files:** This feature, also often within Quick Access, lists files that have been opened most recently, streamlining access to recently worked-on documents. > **Example:** If you want to access a document saved on your external hard drive named "MyDocuments," you would navigate through the Navigation pane to find your external drive, then open folders such as "Projects" and "Reports" to locate the specific file. The Address bar would update to show the path, for instance, `This PC\External Drive (E:)\Projects\Reports`. ### 2.2 Accessing storage locations Windows 10 provides access to various storage solutions. #### 2.2.1 This PC The "This PC" option in File Explorer serves as a central hub for all local and connected storage devices. This includes: * All folders stored directly on the computer. * Hard disk partitions (e.g., C: drive, D: drive). * External hard drives. * USB flash drives. * CD/DVD drives. * Network drives that have been mapped. #### 2.2.2 Cloud storage (OneDrive) * **OneDrive:** OneDrive is a cloud storage service offered by Microsoft. It is available for free to anyone with a Microsoft account. This service allows users to store files online and access them from multiple devices, providing a convenient way to back up data and share files. #### 2.2.3 Network storage * **Network:** If your computer is connected to a network (e.g., in an office or home network), the "Network" option in File Explorer allows you to access shared folders and resources stored on other computers or servers within that network. > **Tip:** Cloud storage like OneDrive is excellent for syncing files across devices and for backup purposes, while network storage is ideal for collaborative environments where multiple users need to access shared project files. ### 2.3 Common File Explorer features File Explorer in Windows 10 includes several standard components that aid in managing files and windows. #### 2.3.1 Common parts of a window When working with File Explorer or other applications, recognizing the standard window components is essential: * **Title Bar:** Displays the name of the file or folder currently open, along with the application name. * **Toolbar:** Contains buttons for common actions like navigating back and forward, cutting, copying, pasting, and sorting. * **Menu Bar:** Provides access to various commands and options organized into menus (e.g., File, Edit, View). * **Status Bar:** Located at the bottom of the window, it displays information about the selected item, such as file size, date modified, or the number of items in a folder. * **Scroll Bar:** Appears when the content of a window exceeds its visible area, allowing users to move up, down, left, or right to view the hidden content. #### 2.3.2 Window manipulation Users can manipulate open windows in several ways: * **Resize:** Windows can be resized by dragging their edges or corners. * **Minimize:** Reduces the window to a button on the taskbar, keeping the application running in the background. * **Close:** Terminates the application or closes the window. #### 2.3.3 Moving between open windows * **Taskbar:** The taskbar at the bottom of the screen displays icons for all currently open applications. Clicking on an application's icon on the taskbar brings that window to the foreground, allowing you to switch between them. * **Task View:** This feature, accessible from the taskbar, provides an overview of all open applications and windows, enabling users to select and switch to the desired one efficiently. --- ## Common mistakes to avoid - Review all topics thoroughly before exams - Pay attention to formulas and key definitions - Practice with examples provided in each section - Don't memorize without understanding the underlying concepts

| Term | Definition | |------|------------| | Power switch | The button or lever used to turn a computer or electronic device on or off. | | Shut Down command | A system function that properly closes all applications and turns off the computer's operating system. | | Restart option | A command that shuts down the computer and then immediately starts it up again, useful for applying updates or resolving minor issues. | | Sign in | The process of authenticating oneself to gain access to a computer, network, or online service using credentials like a username and password. | | Sign out | The process of terminating a session and logging off from a computer, network, or online service, which disconnects the connection. | | Switch account | A function that allows a user to log into a different user profile on the same computer without fully shutting down the system. | | System properties | A set of details that describe the core components and configuration of a computer, including its operating system version, processor type, and installed memory (RAM). | | Desktop icons | Small graphical representations on the computer screen that users can click to open applications, files, or folders. | | Folder | A digital container used to organize and store files, other folders, or shortcuts on a computer's storage device. | | Subfolder / Subdirectory | A folder that is located inside another folder, allowing for hierarchical organization of files. | | Navigation pane | A user interface element, typically on the left side of a file explorer window, that displays the hierarchical structure of files and folders and allows for easy access. | | Cloud storage | A model of computer data storage in which the digital data is stored in logical pools, said to be on the Internet, managed by a third party. | | Network location drives | Storage locations accessible over a computer network, such as shared folders on another computer or a network-attached storage (NAS) device. | | Address Bar | A component of a web browser or file explorer that displays the current Uniform Resource Locator (URL) or file path. | | Search Box | An input field within an application or operating system that allows users to enter keywords to find files, folders, or information. | | Frequent folders | A section in a file explorer or operating system interface that lists folders that the user has accessed most often. | | Recent files | A list that displays files that have been opened or modified most recently by the user. |