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Windows Operating System

Microsoft Windows is one of the most widely used operating systems in both personal computing and enterprise environments. This guide will help you understand the basics of Windows and how to use it effectively.

Windows Editions​

Windows comes in two main editions:

Desktop Editions​

  • Windows Home
  • Windows Pro
  • Windows Enterprise
  • Windows Education

Server Editions​

  • Windows Server Standard
  • Windows Server Datacenter
  • Windows Server Essentials

Version History​

Current Desktop Versions​

  • Windows 11 (Latest)
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 8.1 (End of Support)
  • Windows 7 (End of Support)

Current Server Versions​

  • Windows Server 2022 (Latest)
  • Windows Server 2019
  • Windows Server 2016
  • Windows Server 2012 R2 (End of Support)

Key Concepts​

  1. User Interface

    • Desktop environment
    • Start menu
    • Taskbar
    • File Explorer
    • Control Panel/Settings

  2. User Accounts

    • Local accounts
    • Microsoft accounts
    • Domain accounts (Enterprise)
    • Account types (Administrator, Standard User)

  3. File System

    • NTFS file system
    • File and folder permissions
    • Drive letters
    • System folders

  4. Networking

    • Network connections
    • Sharing
    • Network discovery
    • Windows networking protocols

Getting Started​

Choose your learning path:

  1. Windows Desktop Basics

    • For home users and office workers
    • Learn everyday computing tasks
    • Understand basic system management

  2. Windows Server Basics

    • For IT professionals and administrators
    • Learn server management
    • Understand enterprise features

Additional Resources​