1. Operating Systems Written by: Tim Keyser Georgia CTAE Resource Network 2010

2. Manipulating files and folders within an operating system is one of the first features a user should understand. Manipulating files and folders within an operating system is one of the first features a user should understand. Microsoft Windows includes the Windows Explorer utility which easily allows users to use functions such as create, modify, copy, move, and delete files and folders. Microsoft Windows includes the Windows Explorer utility which easily allows users to use functions such as create, modify, copy, move, and delete files and folders. Operating System Basics

3. Windows Explorer To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer. To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer. Windows Explorer can also be opened several other ways, including alternate (right) clicking on the Start menu and choosing Explore (Open Windows Explorer). Windows Explorer can also be opened several other ways, including alternate (right) clicking on the Start menu and choosing Explore (Open Windows Explorer).

4. Windows Explorer Continued This link contains instructions for manipulating files and folders using Windows Explorer within Windows XP. This link contains instructions for manipulating files and folders using Windows Explorer within Windows XP. This link This link This link contains instructions for manipulating files and folders using features found in Windows Vista. This link contains instructions for manipulating files and folders using features found in Windows Vista. This link This link

5. Windows 7 and Vista Windows 7 contains much of the same functionality as Vista, including the Live Search feature which allows users to search folders by simply typing a word in the folder’s search box.

6. Command Prompt A command prompt is a command line interface that creates a DOS (Disk Operating System) environment within Windows. A command prompt is a command line interface that creates a DOS (Disk Operating System) environment within Windows. Open the Command Prompt window by clicking the Start button, clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking Command Prompt. Open the Command Prompt window by clicking the Start button, clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking Command Prompt.

7. Command Prompt Continued A command prompt can also be opened by typing CMD in the Run(XP) or Search (Vista and 7) box on the Start menu. A command prompt can also be opened by typing CMD in the Run(XP) or Search (Vista and 7) box on the Start menu. This link contains all of the utilities available from the command prompt in Windows, but the majority of these will not be used by most users. This link contains all of the utilities available from the command prompt in Windows, but the majority of these will not be used by most users. This link This link

8. CHKDSK and IPCONFIG CHKDSK and IPCONFIG are two excellent utilities that can be run from a command prompt. CHKDSK and IPCONFIG are two excellent utilities that can be run from a command prompt. CHKDSK (Check Disk) allows the operating system to examine the disk and file system and fix errors. CHKDSK (Check Disk) allows the operating system to examine the disk and file system and fix errors. IPCONFIG allows the user to view network information and troubleshoot problems with connectivity. IPCONFIG allows the user to view network information and troubleshoot problems with connectivity.

9. Common Commands The table below contains some of the commands used regularly at a command prompt. Familiarize yourself with these commands and their functions. The table below contains some of the commands used regularly at a command prompt. Familiarize yourself with these commands and their functions. ChkdskCopyDel FormatIpconfigMkdir (md) MovePingRename

10. Understanding Virtually all tasks executed from a command prompt can also be performed within the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of Windows. Virtually all tasks executed from a command prompt can also be performed within the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of Windows. Understanding multiple methods of accomplishing tasks provides the user with the ability to continue to perform operations when certain functionality is disabled by a virus or other issue. Understanding multiple methods of accomplishing tasks provides the user with the ability to continue to perform operations when certain functionality is disabled by a virus or other issue.