Microsoft Windows Operating System Essentials

Introduction xix

Chapter 1 Windows Operating Systems Overview 1

Discovering the History of Windows 1

DOS—The Precursor 2

Windows 3.1—The GUI 4

Windows Evolution 7

Understanding the OS Architecture 8

The Layers in Windows 8

Windows Compared to Other Systems 13

Identifying Windows Interfaces 14

Using the GUI Interface 14

Using the Command Prompt Interface 17

Using Windows PowerShell 18

The Essentials and Beyond 19

Chapter 2 Installing Windows 23

Exploring OS Editions 23

Comparing Windows Editions 23

Defining System Requirements 26

Using the PC Upgrade Advisor 27

Planning Clean Installs vs. Upgrades 28

Understanding Upgrade Paths 29

Considering Application Compatibility 30

Planning for Upgrades 32

Planning for Clean Installs 32

Understanding Installation Types 33

Installing from Removable Media 33

Performing Network-Based Installations 37

Managing Product Identification Keys 37

Using Virtualized Installations 38

Introducing Virtualization 38

Application Virtualization 40

Using Windows Virtual PC 40

Using Third-Party Virtualization Software 42

Understanding Windows XP Mode 43

The Essentials and Beyond 43

Chapter 3 Managing the Desktop 45

Understanding Desktop Features 45

Exploring the Desktop 45

Using the Desktop Configuration Interfaces 48

Start Menu Settings 48

Taskbar Settings 50

Notification Area Settings 53

Understanding User Profiles and Desktop Relationships 55

Working with Gadgets 56

Adding Gadgets to the Desktop 56

Configuring Gadgets 57

Installing and Removing Gadgets 58

Changing Display Settings 59

Configuring the Screen Resolution 59

Configuring Screen Magnification 60

Using Multiple Display Devices 61

Creating Shortcuts 61

Creating a New Desktop Shortcut 61

Modifying a Shortcut 63

Adding System Icons to the Desktop 64

Configuring the Aero Interface 65

Understanding the Aero Features 65

Using Aero Themes 66

Configuring Aero Settings 67

The Essentials and Beyond 68

Chapter 4 Using Native Applications 71

Using the Traditional Tools 71

Editing Text 71

Working with Images 78

Performing Calculations 79

Working with Internet Explorer 80

Exploring the Browser Interface 80

Using the Tools Menu 82

Creating Screenshots 83

Using the Print Screen Button 84

Working with the Snipping Tool 84

Using Media Applications 85

Understanding Media Applications 85

Configuring Windows Media Player 86

Viewing Configuration Settings 87

Using MSCONFIG 88

Using System Information 89

PowerShell and Command Prompt Information Gathering 90

The Essentials and Beyond 90

Chapter 5 Managing with the Control Panel 93

Understanding Applets . 93

Defining a Control Panel Applet . 93

Exploring the Available Applets 94

Configuring Administrative Tools 99

Understanding the Administrative Tools Applet 99

Working with the Administrative Tools 100

Configuring Accessibility 105

Windows Accessibility Features 105

Using the Ease of Access Center 106

Using Important Applets 107

Configuring Default Programs 107

Using the Power Management Tools 110

Understanding the System Applet 112

The Essentials and Beyond 113

Chapter 6 Mobility and Remote Management 115

Understanding Mobility 115

Using the Sync Center 115

Using Windows Mobility Center 116

Using Remote Desktop 118

Enabling Remote Desktop 118

Connecting to Remote Desktop 118

Using Remote Assistance 119

Enabling and Configuring Remote Assistance 119

Requesting Assistance 120

Responding to a Request 120

Understanding the MMC 121

Exploring the MMC Interface 121

Creating Custom Consoles 122

Working with Windows PowerShell 123

Understanding Cmdlets 124

Executing Remote Commands 125

The Essentials and Beyond 126

Chapter 7 Managing Applications 129

Planning for Local and Network Applications 129

Using Localized Applications 129

Using Networked Applications 130

Installing, Configuring, and Removing Applications 131

Understanding Installation Methods 132

Configuring Applications 133

Removing Applications 134

Using Group Policy for Application Control 136

Restricting Application Installation 136

Disabling Access to Removable Media 139

Deploying Applications with Group Policy 140

Understanding Application Virtualization 142

Understanding Med-V 142

Understanding VDI 144

The Difference between Services and Standard Applications 145

Defining Services 145

Configuring Service Settings 150

Managing Service Accounts 152

Understanding Service Dependencies 154

Stopping, Starting, and Restarting Services 155

The Essentials and Beyond 157

Chapter 8 Controlling Malware 159

Understanding Malware Types 159

Understanding Viruses and Worms 159

Defining Trojans and Backdoors 161

Avoiding Phishing Attacks 161

Planning for Malware Protection 162

Security Defined 163

Configuring and Using UAC 167

Selecting Anti-Malware Solutions 171

Protecting the Windows Registry 172

Understanding Microsoft Protection Methods 173

Working with the Action Center 174

Understanding the Malicious Software Removal Tool 175

Using Windows Defender 176

Using Microsoft Security Essentials 177

Understanding Microsoft Forefront 178

The Essentials and Beyond 179

Chapter 9 File Management 181

Understanding Filesystems 181

Exploring the Purpose of a Filesystem 181

Comparing Windows Filesystems 182

Contrasting 32-Bit and 64-Bit Systems 184

Working with Encryption 185

Encrypting Files and Folders 185

Understanding BitLocker Encryption 189

Managing Encryption Keys 190

Using Compression 190

Using Libraries 191

Library Features and Functionality 192

Organizing with Libraries 193

Creating a New Library 195

Configuring Library Properties 196

The Essentials and Beyond 198

Chapter 10 Network Shares 201

Planning for File Sharing 201

Understanding Network Hardware 201

Understanding TCP/IP 202

Working with Network Types 205

Participating in a Workgroup 207

Creating a New Homegroup 208

Joining a Windows Domain 211

Creating File Shares 212

Creating Share Types 212

Mapping Drives 215

Understanding NTFS and Share Permissions 217

Understanding Authentication and Authorization 217

Comparing NTFS and Share Permissions 219

Creating Share Permissions 222

Creating NTFS Permissions 222

Sharing Printers 223

Creating Printer Shares 223

Managing Printer Shares 224

Providing Printer Drivers 225

The Essentials and Beyond 226

Chapter 11 Device Management 229

Understanding Device Drivers 229

Defining Device Drivers 229

Locating and Downloading Drivers 230

Installing Third-Party Software 233

Using the Device Manager 234

Exploring Plug-and-Play Operations 237

Understanding Plug-and-Play Features 237

Defining the Plug-and-Play Process 239

Connecting and Managing Devices 240

Initial Device Installation 240

Updating Drivers 241

Creating a Driver List 242

Printers 243

Comparing Local and Network Printers 243

Connecting and Disconnecting Printers 243

Using Print Queues 245

Printing to a File 246

Internet Printing 248

System Devices 248

Understanding Multimedia Devices 248

Using Input Devices 249

Exploring System Board Chipsets 250

The Essentials and Beyond 251

Chapter 12 Storage Management 255

Data Storage Concepts 255

Selecting Hard Drives for Your Computers 256

Choosing a Filesystem 259

Understanding Networked Storage 260

Using DFS 261

Understanding RAID 263

Identifying Storage Technologies 267

Understanding Disk Types 268

Basic and Dynamic Disks 268

Virtual Hard Disks 270

Optical Media 271

Using Online Storage 271

Microsoft Online Storage Solutions 272

Third-Party Online Storage Solutions 273

The Essentials and Beyond 274

Chapter 13 Windows Troubleshooting 277

Troubleshooting Processes 277

REACT 278

OSI Model 283

The Hardware/Software Model 288

Symptom, Diagnosis, and Solution 289

Systems Thinking 290

Using Disk Defragmenter 292

Working with the Defragmenter GUI 292

Using the DEFRAG Command Prompt Tool 292

Using Defraggler 294

Performing a Disk Cleanup 295

Using the Disk Cleanup Tool 295

Searching for Large Files 296

Scheduling Tasks 297

Accessing Additional Troubleshooting Tools 298

Using Event Viewer 299

Task Manager 301

Resource Monitor 303

The Essentials and Beyond 305

Chapter 14 Backup and Recovery 307

Planning for Backups 307

Comparing Backup Methods and Tools 308

Understanding Backup Options 314

The Backup Planning Process 315

Testing Recovery Processes 316

Documenting the Recovery Process 316

Performing Periodic Tests 316

Updating the Recovery Process 317

Working with System Restore 317

Understanding System Restore 317

Creating Restore Points 319

Reverting to a Restore Point 320

Selecting Third-Party Backup Software 321

Determining Backup Needs 321

Evaluating and Selecting Solutions 322

Using Recovery Boot Options 323

Understanding the Boot Menu 323

Booting to the Last Known Good Configuration 324

Using Safe Mode Options 325

The Essentials and Beyond 325

Chapter 15 Windows Update 327

Understanding Hotfixes and Service Packs 327

Microsoft’s Recommended Update Life Cycle 327

Hotfixes, Service Packs, and Update Terminology 329

Planning for Windows Update and Microsoft Update 330

Updating with Windows Update 332

Using Windows Server Update Service 336

The Essentials and Beyond 341

Appendix A Answers to Review Questions 343

Chapter 1 343

Chapter 2 344

Chapter 3 344

Chapter 4 345

Chapter 5 345

Chapter 6 346

Chapter 7 347

Chapter 8 348

Chapter 9 348

Chapter 10 349

Chapter 11 350

Chapter 12 350

Chapter 13 351

Chapter 14 352

Chapter 15 352

Appendix B Microsoft's Certif ication Program 355

Certification Objectives Map 356

Index 361