Windows 7

1. Getting started with windows Working with Libraries and Files Customizing Windows & using I.E. Multimedia: Audio , Video, and Images Maintaining Windows Networking & Security,and User Accounts Windows Live, IM and Email Windows 7 Maintaining Windows

2. Learning Objectives • Ensure your computer runs smoothly and quickly • Improve computer performance • Defragment and cleanup disks • Create a System Restore point • Setup Backups • Install and Remove programs • Manage Windows updates

3. Task manager • The Windows task manager allows you to see what programs and processes are running on your computer • You may also start and stop them – if a window stops responding • You may also see a display of graphs and tables which show what is happening on your computer.

4. Command Prompt • Older, less sophisticated programs may require that they be run in their own isolated window named the Command prompt. • Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-DOS, or DOS) employs a command-line interface, in which you must type commands at a command prompt to run tasks • DOS is not a Graphical User Interface • A command prompt begins with a character such as > or $ • Strict set of rules, called a command syntax, that you must follow when expressing a command

5. Msconfig • Sometimes when you install a program, it sets itself or other programs up, to run each time you turn on your computer, even if that was not what you had in mind. • Many of these programs are not shown on the Startup tab. • To control these programs and prevent them from running, run MSConfig

6. Windows Updates • Patch Tuesday- Microsoft releases updates to flaws discovered in its operating systems • Downloaded to your computer • Automatic Updates - installs the next time you turn PC on. • You can also install updates manually.

7. Backups • Process of using a special software program designed to read, compress, then store data on another medium • Making backup copies regularly ensures you don’t lose data if your computer encounters problems or does not start properly • Back up your entire computer after you make major changes to your system • Back up changes to individual files, folders, and settings on a regular schedule • Scheduling backups according to a backup strategy can help you perform backups on a regular basis and protect your data • The Restore Files Wizard, you can restore a single file, several files, or an entire hard drive and specify where you want them to be placed, in their original place or in a new location

8. Installing and uninstalling programs • If you are no longer using a program, it’s good to uninstall it • Deletes all traces of the program from your computer and the windows registry. • If you don’t use a program often, you can remove it to save disk space, and reinstall it later if necessary • If you’re having problems with a program, you can repair it

9. Disk Cleanup • Removes unnecessary files to make room for other files on your computer • Disk Cleanup searches your selected hard disk • lists temporary files, Internet cache files, the Recycle Bin, and unnecessary programs that can be deleted without affecting the system files • You can select the types of files Disk Cleanup will delete, or delete Windows components or installed programs you no longer use

10. Resource Monitor • Monitoring the status of your system with various tools will help you understand what is going on behind the scenes • Reveals if you’re running low on memory, if your CPU is overloaded, or if your computer has too many programs running. • Useful as you can change your performance settings

11. Performance Monitor • Information about your system • Determine software compatibility, type of processor, RAM, or to troubleshoot. • The Performance Information and Tools utility • Determines the performance of your computer, • Prints out a system health report, and access tools to increase performance • the utility analyzes your computer and provides performance rating information known as the Windows Experience Index (WEI) • The WEI consists of a performance rating, known as a subscore, for the critical components on your computer, which include the central processing unit(CPU), memory (RAM, known as Random Access Memory), graphics, gaming graphics, and primary hard disk.

12. Restore Point • Windows 7 is a reliable operating system, but any time you make changes to your computer, such as adding or removing software or hardware, you run the risk of causing problems with the operating system • System Restore can undo harmful changes to your computer (not personal files) and restores its settings to an earlier time before there were any changes made to your computer, called a restore point • System Restore creates restore points automatically as you work, • Turned on by default when you install Windows 7 • If you have recently performed a system restoration, you can use System Restore to undo your most recent restoration.

13. Disk Defragmentation • When files are deleted from a disk, empty spaces remain that may be spread over difference areas of the disks • When a new file is created, parts of the files are stored in these fragmented areas, so that a single file might be broken into several parts which is known as a fragmented file • to open a fragmented file, the computer must search many areas of the disk, which lengthens retrieval time but doesn’t affect the file’s usability and is undetectable to the user • The Disk Defragmenter program places all parts of a file in one contiguous, or adjacent, location • this process is called optimization and it makes your programs run faster and your files open more quickly