Operating System Basics

Operating System Basics – Notes

1. GUI (Graphical User Interface)

GUI stands for Graphical User Interface.

It is a way to communicate with the computer using pictures, icons, menus and buttons instead of typing commands.

Examples of GUI elements: Icons, Menus, Windows, Buttons, Toolbar

Example of GUI based OS: Windows

2. Operating System (OS)

An Operating System (OS) is the most important software that helps the computer run.

Without an operating system, a computer cannot work.

Examples of Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS

3. Functions of Operating System

The operating system performs many important functions:

1. Controls hardware devices like keyboard, mouse and monitor.

2. Interacts with users and takes commands.

3. Keeps track of programs running on the computer.

4. Manages software and hardware together.

4. Windows

Microsoft Windows is a popular operating system developed by Microsoft.

It provides a GUI interface which makes using a computer easy.

Versions of Windows: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10,Windows 11

5. Desktop

The desktop is the main screen or working area of the computer that appears after logging in.

From the desktop we can:

Open programs

Manage files and folders

Access internet

6. Components of Desktop

1. Icons

Small labelled pictures on the desktop used to open programs or files.

2. Taskbar

A long horizontal bar at the bottom of the screen.

It contains: Start button, Open application buttons, Notification area, Clock

3. Start Menu

It is used to:

Open applications

Access folders

Shut down the computer

4. File Explorer

Used to manage files and folders.

5. Search Box

Used to find files, apps or documents quickly.

7. Basic Operations on Desktop

Opening Icons

Double-click the icon

OR

Select icon and press Enter

Moving Icons

Click and drag the icon to a new location.

Sorting Icons

Arrange icons in order such as Name, Size or Date.

8. Setting Wallpaper

Steps:

1. Right-click on desktop

2. Click Personalize

3. Click Background

4. Choose a wallpaper

5. Click Close

9. Files and Folders

File

A file is any document, picture or data saved on the computer.

Folder

A folder is used to store related files together.

10. File Extension

A file extension is added at the end of a file name and shows the type of file.

Examples:

Extension Type

.jpg / .png Image

.mp3 Music

.txt Text file

.doc Document

11. Parent Folder and Sub-folder

Parent Folder → Main folder

Sub-folder → Folder inside another folder

Example

Class 3B → Parent folder

Student folders → Sub-folders

SOLVED EXERCISES

A. Tick (✓) the correct answer:

1. Small labelled pictures on desktop

✔ Icons

2. Long horizontal bar at bottom of desktop

✔ Taskbar

3. Operating system controls the

✔ opened operations

4. Which is not an operating system?

✔ LAN

5. It is added to the name of a file

✔ Extension

B. Fill in the blanks:

Words: Show, opening, moving, extension, neatly, music

1. Show taskbar button is present on the extreme right of the taskbar.

2. Single-click and dragging icon is called moving desktop icon.

3. Double-clicking the icon is known as opening desktop icons.

4. We can identify the type of content in a file by the file extension.

5. mp3 tells that it is a music file.

6. Folders and subfolders help us keep our files neatly.

C. True / False:

1. The first operating system used in personal computers was DOS.

✔ True

2. Sorting means arranging icons in sequence.

✔ True

3. We cannot add items on the taskbar.

✘ False

4. GUI stands for Generally Used Interface.

✘ False

5. txt and doc represent music file.

✘ False

6. Folder and subfolder helps us keep files neatly.

✔ True

D. Find the Odd One Out:

1. Scanner, Keyboard, Printer, Mouse

✔ Printer (output device)

2. Pen drive, CD, Mouse, DVD

✔ Mouse (input device)

3. Monitor, Tux Paint, Hard disk, Keyboard

✔ Tux Paint (software)

4. Windows OS, Tux Paint, Word, Paint

✔ Windows OS (operating system)

E. Answer the Following Questions:

1. Write two functions of an operating system.

Ans:i). It controls hardware devices.

ii). It keeps track of running programs.

2. What is a desktop? Explain its components.

Ans: The desktop is the main screen of a computer.

Components: Icons, Taskbar, Start menu, Search box

3. Steps to set wallpaper on desktop?

Ans: i). Right-click on desktop

ii). Click Personalize

iii). Click Background

iv). Select wallpaper

v). Close the window

4. Difference between parent folder and subfolder

Ans: Parent folder: Main folder containing other folders.

Sub-folder: Folder inside another folder.

5. What is an extension? Give examples.

Ans: A file extension is added to the file name to identify its type.

Examples:    .jpg, .mp3, .txt, .doc