The Basics of Windows

Windows is the computer operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation. It is the primary software program that runs when a computer is turned on, and it allows users to work with files, surf the Internet, and run programs and games. It is installed on almost all computers and laptops (with the exception of Apple machines, which use Mac OS).

The first Windows version was added to MS-DOS in 1985 and introduced graphical user interfaces (GUI) and multitasking, as well as standardized hardware interfaces and uniformity for program user interfaces. It soon dominated the PC market, and it continues to be used worldwide.

Microsoft released new versions of Windows over time to add features and improve performance. The version that replaced Windows 8 in 2012 had a tiled start screen and the ability to synchronize settings on multiple computers, making it easy for users to move to different machines and pick up where they left off. It also had Cortana, a digital personal assistant like Apple’s Siri, and the Web browser Microsoft Edge.

In 2015, Microsoft released Windows 10, which was designed to work across desktops, phones, tablets, and laptops. It included features like a new Web browser, Microsoft Edge, that competed with Google Chrome and Apple’s Safari, as well as the voice-controlled virtual assistant, Cortana, and the new file explorer, OneDrive. It also incorporated the Universal App Platform, which allowed developers to create apps that would run across all devices.

Windows has many built-in security features. It includes a firewall, antivirus software, anti-malware software, and disk encryption, which help protect data and files from being stolen or accessed by unintended individuals. It also helps protect against malware that can cause the system to stop working properly or corrupt files and information.

Many versions of Windows have been available, and users can choose the version that best fits their needs. Each edition has specific features that may appeal to certain groups of people, such as a low-cost Home Edition for home computers or the network-ready Windows Server for business IT departments.

All versions of Windows since Windows NT 3 have been based on the AGDLP (Accounts, Global, Domain Local, Permissions) file system permissions model. This system uses a dynamic allocation of permissions, which is different from other vendor products that use a static allocation and require the user to manually set permissions for each file or folder. Multilingual support for the OS has been available since its beginnings, and users can select which language they want to use by changing the Region and Language settings in the Control Panel. Input method editors (IMEs) for languages that do not have native support in the OS can be downloaded separately to enable the user to type in those languages. These IMEs can be found in the Language folder of the Control Panel in all Windows editions.

from Glass Repair Logan https://glassrepairlogan.wordpress.com/2024/06/18/the-basics-of-windows/