Wiley Windows 7 Digital Classroom 978-0-470-56802-6 User Manual
Product codes
978-0-470-56802-6
What you can do with Windows 7
21
Lesson 1, Getting Started with Windows 7
1
What is an operating system?
A computer’s operating system is a set of programs that enable the computer to perform such
basic tasks as recognizing user input from a keyboard or mouse, sending output to the computer
screen, keeping track of fi les on the hard disk, and controlling peripheral devices, such as
external hard drives and printers. It also acts as an interface between the computer and the user,
and serves as the host for any other programs, or applications, running on the computer, such as
word-processing programs, games, web browsers, etc.
basic tasks as recognizing user input from a keyboard or mouse, sending output to the computer
screen, keeping track of fi les on the hard disk, and controlling peripheral devices, such as
external hard drives and printers. It also acts as an interface between the computer and the user,
and serves as the host for any other programs, or applications, running on the computer, such as
word-processing programs, games, web browsers, etc.
If you’re not sure which version of Windows 7 you have, you can easily fi nd out.
1
Press the Start button ( ) to display the Start menu.
2
Click Control Panel in the Start menu.
Click the Start button and choose Control Panel.
3
In the Control Panel window that appears, click the System and Security link.
Click the System and Security link.
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