CSC134

COMPUTER AND INFORMATION PROCESSING

LAB ASSIGNMENT 1 : INTRODUCTION TO WINDOWS

PREPARED FOR :

SIR JANVIN JANTENG

PREPARED BY:

RASHELME BINTI RAFFY (2017433983)

AS1204A3
1. Describe what is operating system (OS).

Operating system is a software which consists of programs and data used to manage the
computer hardware resources and provides basic interface for execution of various
application software. Computer operating systems perform basic tasks, such as recognizing
input from the keyboard, sending output to the display screen, keeping track of files and
directories on the storage drives and controlling peripheral devices such as printers. For large
systems, the operating system has even greater responsibilities and powers. It makes sure that
different programs and users running at the same time do not interfere with each other. The
operating system is also responsible for security, ensuring that unauthorized users do not
access the system.

2. Briefly explain each edition of Microsoft Windows operating systems.

a. Windows 1

Windows 1.0 that released on November 20, 1985 was Microsoft’s first true attempt at a
graphical user interface in 16-bit. The project was briefly codenamed “Interface Manager”
before the windowing system was developed and was nothing more than a graphical shell that
sat on top of the existing DOS operating system. It was announced in November 1983 under
the name “Windows”. Windows 1.0 was not a complete operating system, but rather an
“operating environment” that extended MS-DOS. Major features of Windows 1.0:

 Graphical user interface (GUI) with drop-down menus, tiled windows, and mouse
support

 Device-independent screen and printer graphics

 Cooperative multitasking of Windows applications

The second version of Windows released in December 9, 1987 supported 16-colour VGA
graphics. It was codenamed Windows 286. It marked the debut of the Control Panel and
Program Information Files, or PIFs that told Windows how to run DOS applications. It was
also the first Windows platform for Microsoft's Word and Excel applications. Like Windows
1.0, version 2.0 could run on a dual-floppy-drive PC without a hard disk. It used the real-
mode memory model, limiting memory access to 1MB.

These were the major changes from earlier versions of Windows:

 Overlapping windows

 PIF files for DOS applications

c. Windows 3

Windows 3.0, released in May 22, 1990 was the first commercially successful version of the
operating system. It introduced the ability to run MS-DOS programmes in windows, which
brought multitasking to legacy programmes and supported 256 colours bringing a more
modern, colourful look to the interface. Technical improvements were made to make a better
use of the memory management capabilities of Intel 286 and 386 processors. Programs were
launched via the new icon-based Program Manager and a new File Manager replaced the old
MS-DOS Executive for basic file management. This was also the first version of Windows to
come with Solitaire built in, contributing to an incredible amount of wasted time worldwide.
Equally important, Windows 3.0 included a Protected/Enhanced mode that enabled native
Windows applications to make use of more memory than their DOS counterparts.

d. Windows 3.1

This version was released on March 18, 1992 and had features similar to its predecessor. It
was codenamed Janus. Windows 3.1 required 1MB of RAM to run and allowed supported
MS-DOS programs to be controlled with a mouse for the first time. It was a stand-alone OS,
not MS-DOS based such as all previous versions. Windows 3.1 was also the first Windows to
be distributed on a CD-ROM, even though once installed on a hard drive it only took up 10 to
15MB (a CD can typically store up to 700MB). Minesweeper also made its first appearance.

These were the major features of Windows 3.1:

 No Real (8086) mode support

 TrueType scalable font support

 Object Linking and Embedding (OLE)

 Application reboot capability

 Mouse Trails for easier mouse use with LCD display devices

 API multimedia and networking support

As the name implies, Windows 95 arrived on August 24, 1995 that brought the first ever Start
button and Start menu with an unprecedented marketing push using the Rolling Stones song
Start Me Up. It was codenamed Chicago. Windows 95 was a consumer-oriented hybrid 32-
bit/16-bit OS with a brand-new user interface. It focused on multi-tasking and saw the
introduction of Task Bar. It introduced the concept of “plug and play” automatic device
detection and configuration. MS-DOS still played an important role for Windows 95, which
required it to run some programmes and elements.

Internet Explorer also made its debut on Windows 95, but was not installed by default
requiring the Windows 95 Plus! pack.

f. Windows 98

Released on June 25, 1998, Windows 98 was even more consumer-friendly than its
predecessor Windows 95. It was codenamed Memphis. It brought with it IE 4, Outlook
Express, Windows Address Book, Microsoft Chat, NetShow, Quick Launch toolbar, Active
Desktop and the ability to minimise a window by clicking its toolbar icon. Among other
things, Windows 98 introduced the back and forward navigation buttons and the address bar
in Windows Explorer. One of the biggest changes was the introduction of the Windows
Driver Model for computer components and accessories – one driver to support all future
versions of Windows. These were the major features of Window 98:

 32-bit file allocation system (FAT32) allowing for hard disk drives larger than 2GB
and efficient use of disk space, and allowing files to load more quickly and take up
less space on disk; FAT32 can read hard disk drives as big as 2TB (2000GB)

 Support for Universal Serial Bus (USB) peripherals

 Support for WebTV (which became MSN TV)

 Microsoft Web Server

 Microsoft Task Scheduler

g. Windows ME

On September 24, 2000, Microsoft released a successor to Windows 98 called Windows ME,
short for “Millennium Edition”, which was regarded as one of the worst Windows versions
ever released. Windows ME was conceived as a quick one-year project that served as a
stopgap release between Windows 98 and Windows XP. It was the last DOS-based operating
system from Microsoft.

It include the useful System Restore feature, a recovery utility that enables the
operating system to revert system files back to a prior date and time. IE 5.5, Windows Media
Player 7 and Windows Movie Maker all made their appearance for the first time.
Autocomplete also appeared in Windows Explorer.
h. Windows XP

Windows XP was released on October 25, 2001. It was codenamed as Whistler. Mainstream
support ended on 14 April 2009. NT-based Windows XP came in several editions: Home,
Professional, Media Center, and Tablet PC Edition. The Start menu and task bar got a visual
overhaul, bringing the familiar green Start button, blue task bar and vista wallpaper, along
with various shadow and other visual effects. ClearType, which was designed to make text
easier to read on LCD screens, was introduced, as were built-in CD burning, autoplay from
CDs and other media, plus various automated update and recovery tools, that unlike
Windows ME actually worked.

i. Windows Vista

Windows Vista released on January 30, 2007 intended to have enhanced security by
introducing a new restricted user mode called User Account Control, replacing the
“administrator-by-default” philosophy of Windows XP. Longhorn (Vista’s codename) was
built on Windows Server 2003 SP1 after a false start on the XP code base, having jettisoned
key features such as WinFS. Despite an extensive beta test program, general availability of
Vista came too late for the key Christmas 2006 PC-buying period. Mainstream support ended
on 10 April 2012.
 Features that did ship included the Aero interface, which with the right hardware
displayed transparent windows and other visual effects, and a redesigned Start menu.
Windows Media Player 11 and IE 7 debuted, along with Windows Defender an anti-spyware
programme. Vista also included speech recognition, Windows DVD Maker and Photo
Gallery, as well as being the first Windows to be distributed on DVD. Later a version of
Windows Vista without Windows Media Player was created in response to anti-trust
investigations.

j. Windows 7

Windows 7 was first released in October 2009. It was codenamed as Vienna and Blackcomb.
It was intended to fix all the problems and criticism faced by Vista, with slight tweaks to its
appearance and a concentration on user-friendly features and less “dialogue box overload”.
Mainstream support ended on 13 January 2015.

It was faster, more stable and easier to use, becoming the operating system most users
and business would upgrade to from Windows XP, forgoing Vista entirely. Handwriting
recognition debuted in 7, as did the ability to “snap” windows to the tops or sides of the
screen, allowing faster more automatic window resizing. Windows 7 saw Microsoft hit in
Europe with antitrust investigations over the pre-installing of IE, which led to a browser
ballot screen being shown to new users allowing them to choose, which browser to install on
first boot.
k. Windows 8

Released on October 26, 2012, Windows 8 was Microsoft’s most essential overhaul of the
Windows interface, chucking the Start button and Start menu in favour of a more touch-
friendly Start screen. It was codenamed as Midori. Mainstream support ended on 9 January
2018.

Windows 8 features a redesigned user interface, designed to make it easier for

l. Windows 8.1

Windows 8.1 was released on October 17, 2013, which re-introduced the Start button that
brought up the Start screen from the desktop view of Windows 8.1. This was more suitable
for those using a desktop computer with a mouse and keyboard than the touch-focused Start
screen. It was codenamed as Blue. Mainstream support ended on 9 January 2018.

Windows 8.1 is available as an update in the Windows store only for Windows 8
users and also available to download for clean installation. Other new features in Windows
8.1 include enhanced search, more bundled Windows Store apps, the ability to display and
use up to four apps side by side, deeper SkyDrive integration and a redesigned Windows
Store.

m. Windows 10

Windows 10 is the current release of the Microsoft Windows operating system. Unveiled on
September 30, 2014, it was released on July 29, 2015. Originally it called as Threshold. A
number of new features like Cortana virtual personal assistant (previously introduced with
Windows Phone 8.1), the Microsoft Edge (a new default web browser), Windowed Windows
Store apps, Virtual desktops/Task View, Action Center, Revamped core apps, The Xbox app,
Continuum, Unified settings, and more first appeared in this latest edition. Mainstream
support ended on October 13, 2020.

Microsoft Edge is the new web browser of Windows 10, which is specially designed
to be a lightweight web browser. Windows 10 is available in seven editions in total: Home,
Mobile, Pro, Enterprise, Education, Mobile Enterprise and IoT Core. It includes improved
support for biometric technologies (Windows Hello) and DirectX 12/WDDM 2.0 for
improved graphics and gaming functionality.