Introduction to

Introduction To Computer Science
70
Manual for Laboratory Practices
Microsoft Windows Basics
Operating system is one of the critical software that needs to be installed in a computer to 
make it usable. It gives the framework upon which all other applications or programs run. It is 
primarily is a computer resource manager in that it is responsible for managing the memory, 
CPU, I/O devices and files .
Objectives: 
Upon completion of this laboratory session the learner will be able to:
1. 
Describe some of the basic functions of an operating system, and Windows 
in particular; 
2. 
Explain the parts of the Windows desktop environment;
3. 
Use the Start menu to launch programs; 
4. 
Effectively use the Windows file and folder management features;and

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Manual for Laboratory Practices
71
Laboratory Learning Activities: Practicing Windows Basics
In order to be able to perform various tasks such as saving files, printing documents, and 
starting programs, a computer requires software called an operating system. Microsoft 
Windows is one of the most widely used operating system. Over the years there have been 
several versions of Microsoft Operating System in use such as Windows 3.1, Windows 95, 
Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista, etc. Regardless of the version, 
they all have the same basic functionality. The purpose of this hands-on lab is to provide 
an introduction to the Windows Operating System. Hands-on tasks will be identified by the 
symbol. When a computer is powered on, you’ll hear some beeping as it does some hardware 
checks, and then the operating system loads. A computer running the Windows Operating 
System may display a login screen, or it may show the desktop immediately, depending on the 
setup.