۽گهوڙي سواري ، پڙهڻ، ترڻ وڙهڻ ۾جنهن نه سکيو ننڊپڻ يار

۾جواني ٿيو خوار

)اڳوڻو چيئرپرسن سنڌي ٻولي جو بااختيار سائين االنا ادارو(چيو

۾هاڻي ڪمپيوٽر به انهي شامل ڪريو

Windows Windows XPXP

Explore Windows With KirshanExplore Windows With Kirshan

Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows

Microsoft WindowsMicrosoft Windows is the name of is the name of several families of software operating several families of software operating systems by Microsoft. systems by Microsoft.

Microsoft first introduced an operating Microsoft first introduced an operating environment named environment named Windows Windows in in November 1985November 1985 as an add-on to MS- as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces interest in graphical user interfaces )GUIs(. )GUIs(.

WindowsWindows

At the 2004 IDC At the 2004 IDC )CONSTRUCTION industrial )CONSTRUCTION industrial

development (development ( Directions conference Directions conference IDC Vice President Avneesh IDC Vice President Avneesh Saxena stated that Saxena stated that

Windows had approximately Windows had approximately 90%90% of the client operating system of the client operating system market market

Market share Market share SourceSource http://en.wikipedia.org http://en.wikipedia.org

Windows Version Windows Version Market share Market share All versions All versions 92.42% 92.42% Windows XP Windows XP 78.37%78.37% Windows VistaWindows Vista 9.19% 9.19% Windows 2000 Windows 2000 2.97% 2.97% Windows 98 Windows 98 0.76% 0.76% Windows NT Windows NT 0.63% 0.63% Windows ME Windows ME 0.43% 0.43% Windows CE Windows CE 0.06% 0.06% Windows 95 Windows 95 0.02% 0.02%

HISTORYHISTORY

In In 19831983 Microsoft announced its development Microsoft announced its development of Windows, a of Windows, a graphical user interface )GUI(graphical user interface )GUI( for its own operating system )MS-DOS( that for its own operating system )MS-DOS( that had shipped for IBM PC and compatible had shipped for IBM PC and compatible computers since 1981.computers since 1981.

It was originally going to be called It was originally going to be called Interface Interface ManagerManager, but , but Rowland HansonRowland Hanson, , the head the head of marketing at Microsoftof marketing at Microsoft, convinced the , convinced the company that the name company that the name WindowsWindows would be would be more appealing to consumers more appealing to consumers

HISTORYHISTORY

The first versionThe first version of Microsoft Windows, of Microsoft Windows, version 1.0, released in version 1.0, released in November 20, November 20, 19851985, lacked a degree of functionality and , lacked a degree of functionality and achieved little popularity, and was to achieved little popularity, and was to compete with Apple's own operating compete with Apple's own operating system.system.

Windows 1.0 is not a complete Windows 1.0 is not a complete operating system;operating system; rather, it extends MS- rather, it extends MS-DOS DOS

HISTORYHISTORY

Microsoft Windows version 3.0Microsoft Windows version 3.0, , released in released in 19901990, was the first , was the first Microsoft Windows version to Microsoft Windows version to achieve broad commercial achieve broad commercial success, selling success, selling 2 million copies2 million copies in in the first six months the first six months

HISTORYHISTORY

HISTORYHISTORYDate 16-bit 32-bit 64-bit

November 20, 1985 Windows 1.0

December 9, 1987 Windows 2.0

May 22, 1990 Windows 3.0

April 6, 1992 Windows 3.1

October 27, 1992 Windows for Workgroups 3.1

July 27, 1993 Windows NT 3.1

November 8, 1993 Windows for Workgroups 3.11

September 21, 1994 Windows NT 3.5

May 30, 1995 Windows NT 3.51

August 24, 1995 Windows 95

August 24, 1996 Windows NT 4.0

HISTORYHISTORY

June 25, 1998 Windows 98

May 9, 1999 Windows 98 SE

February 17, 2000 Windows 2000

September 14, 2000 Windows Me

October 25, 2001 Windows XP

April 25, 2003 Windows Server 2003

December 18, 2003 Windows XP Media Center Edition 2003

October 12, 2004 Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

Date 16-bit 32-bit 64-bit

HISTORYHISTORY

April 25, 2005 Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

June 8, 2006 Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs

November 30, 2006 Windows Vista for Business use

January 30, 2007 Windows Vista for Home use; released in fifty countries

Q4 2007 Windows Home Server

February 27, 2008 Windows Server 2008

2010 Windows 7

Date 16-bit 32-bit 64-bit

MS-DOS product MS-DOS product progressionprogression

MS-DOS and PC-DOS MS-DOS and PC-DOS Windows 95 )MS-DOS 7.0( Windows 95 )MS-DOS 7.0( Windows 95 OEM Service Release Windows 95 OEM Service Release

2.x, Windows 98 )MS-DOS 7.1( 2.x, Windows 98 )MS-DOS 7.1( Windows Millennium Edition )MS-Windows Millennium Edition )MS-

DOS 8.0( DOS 8.0(

Windows 1.0 product Windows 1.0 product progressionprogression

Windows 1.0 Windows 1.0 Windows 2.0 Windows 2.0 Windows 2.1 )aka Windows/286 and Windows 2.1 )aka Windows/286 and

Windows/386( Windows/386( Windows 3.0, Windows 3.1, Windows Windows 3.0, Windows 3.1, Windows

3.1 for Workgroups, Windows 3.11, 3.1 for Workgroups, Windows 3.11, Windows 3.11 for Workgroups )WfW( Windows 3.11 for Workgroups )WfW(

Windows 95 )Windows 4.0( Windows 95 )Windows 4.0( Windows 98 )Windows 4.1( Windows 98 )Windows 4.1( Windows Millennium Edition )Windows Windows Millennium Edition )Windows

4.9( 4.9(

Current NT line product Current NT line product progressionprogression

Windows NT 3.1, 3.5 Windows NT 3.1, 3.5 Windows NT 4.0 Windows NT 4.0 Windows 2000 )Windows NT 5.0( Windows 2000 )Windows NT 5.0( Windows XP )Windows NT 5.1( Windows XP )Windows NT 5.1( Windows Server 2003, Windows XP 64-bit Windows Server 2003, Windows XP 64-bit

Edition 2003 )Windows NT 5.2( Edition 2003 )Windows NT 5.2( Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Windows XP Professional x64 Edition

)Windows NT 5.2( )Windows NT 5.2( Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs

)Windows NT 5.1( )Windows NT 5.1( Windows Vista )Windows NT 6.0( Windows Vista )Windows NT 6.0(

Windows Windows XPXP

Windows Windows XPXP is a line of operating is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for systems developed by Microsoft for use on general-purpose computer use on general-purpose computer systems, including home and business systems, including home and business desktops, notebook computers.desktops, notebook computers.

The letters "XP" stand for The letters "XP" stand for eeXPXPerienceerience Windows XP is the successor to both Windows XP is the successor to both

Windows 2000Windows 2000 Professional and Professional and Windows Windows MeMe

Windows Windows XPXP

Development of Windows Development of Windows XPXP started started in 1999in 1999 in the form of in the form of Windows Neptune. Windows XP Windows Neptune. Windows XP was developed for was developed for 18 months18 months, , from from December 1999 to August December 1999 to August 20012001, and was released on , and was released on October 25, 2001.October 25, 2001.

FeaturesFeatures

New user interfaceNew user interface Ability for two users to be logged on simultaneouslyAbility for two users to be logged on simultaneously Windows Media Player for Windows XPWindows Media Player for Windows XP Windows MessengerWindows Messenger Expanded Help featureExpanded Help feature Advanced security featuresAdvanced security features Integrates features of Windows 9x and 2000Integrates features of Windows 9x and 2000 Provides added support for multimedia and Provides added support for multimedia and

networking technologiesnetworking technologies Slightly different look and feel from its predecessorsSlightly different look and feel from its predecessors Plug-in Play Support with new Driver database bankPlug-in Play Support with new Driver database bank

Criticism Criticism

Require High space about 1 GB of Require High space about 1 GB of HarddiskHarddisk

Require large memoryRequire large memory Some time miss match drivers not Some time miss match drivers not

valid by microsoftvalid by microsoft

Windows Windows XP XP System System RequirementsRequirements

Before ExploreBefore Explore

Can you tell what is Can you tell what is

Windows Windows XP XP

Lets learn Windows Lets learn Windows XPXP Recognizing an Windows and Application Recognizing an Windows and Application

WindowWindow

Pointer

• Pointing to the position you want. "(POINT)"

• 1 – click is "(CLICK)"• 2 – click continuously is " (DOUBLE

CLICK) • Hold the mouse pressing and move the

pointer to another position, then release the button "(DRAG & DROP)"

MouseMouse

Cursors and PointerCursors and Pointer

• There are many types of arrows, pointers, cursors, and other items, that can be used to navigate around in Windows.

•To modify mouse pointers, go to My Computer > Control Panel > Mouse > Pointer.

The Desktop

• The main display screen in Windows is known as the desktop.

• Also called windows shell

• The Windows desktop has remained consistent for most versions of Windows including 95, 98, 98 SE, Millennium (ME), NT, and 2000.

Let’s talk about the windows

components

1. Desktop (workspace)2. Icon

3. Start Button 4. Task Bar

1.

2.

WindowsWindows

WindowsWindows

The DesktopThe Desktop

• Located at the bottom of the desktop is the taskbartaskbar.

• The taskbar contains the Start button, quick launch buttons, and the clock.

• The StartStart button displays the Start menu. This menu allows access to virtually every program and function on the PC.

• Quick launchQuick launch buttons are similar to desktop icons as they are also shortcuts to applications.

It is easy... take a look!

1. Start Button

2. Icons on Desktop

3. Right click – get shortcut menu

CommandsCommandsHow can we work on

Windows?

Start Menu of Windows XPStart Menu of Windows XP

Desktop IconsDesktop Icons

My Computer

My Documents

Application Icon

Keeping deleted filesArranging the Icons

Working with IconsWorking with Icons

•Icons are shortcuts to programs or files on the computer desktop that improve navigation.

Working with IconsWorking with Icons

Working with WindowsWorking with WindowsControl Menu

Menu Bar

Tool Bar

Status Bar

Title BarControl Buttons

Scroll Bar

Recognizing an Application WindowRecognizing an Application Window

• Application windows typically have a title bartitle bar, tool bartool bar, menu barmenu bar, status barstatus bar, and scroll barscroll bar.

• WordPad will be used to demonstrate the

features common to most Windows applications.

• WordPad, or Notepad on some Windows computers, is a word processing program located in the Start > Programs > Accessories directory of a Windows environment.

Title BarTitle Bar

• Displays the name of the document and application. In this example, it is "Document - WordPad".

• Also located in the title bar are the Minimize, Maximize, and Exit buttonsMinimize, Maximize, and Exit buttons that will be discussed soon

Menu Bar Menu Menu Bar Menu

• A list of options to choose from

• A list of commands for manipulating data

Pull-down menuPull-down menu

A list of options that pulls down from the top of the screen

Fly-out menusFly-out menus

Menus that seem to explode out to the right

ToolbarToolbar

A bar across the top of the display window, which displays menus and icons representing frequently used options

Status BarStatus Bar

Located at the bottom of the window, the status bar shows useful information, such as page number, whether the file is being saved, how to access the Help feature, etc.

Scroll BarScroll Bar

• Moving quickly upward, downward, or sideways through the text or other screen display

• Windows may have scroll bars that appear on the right side, the bottom of the window, or both.

• Clicking on the arrows on either end of the scroll bar moves the images or text through the window.

Recognizing an Application WindowRecognizing an Application Window

Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler.

-Albert Einstein

But• Practice makes man perfect

They are similar.

Working with WindowsWorking with Windows

Controlling your WindowControlling your Window

Click Here

Point & Click on Windows Bar and Hold It.Press Mouse, Hold it & Drag

Moving your WindowMoving your Window

Window Control ButtonsWindow Control Buttons

3 magic buttons

Minimize to Task Bar

Maximize

Close

click to minimize

click again

Window Control ButtonsWindow Control Buttons

Resizing your WindowsResizing your Windows

We can resize the window you are working on. Point your mouse at the window corner, click and

drag the window frame to resize.

Do not turn off the machine immediately

1. Click-Start

2. Choose-Turn Off Computer

3. Choose-Turn Off Option (Some machines turn off automatically)

Shut downShut down

What time is it now?

Place your mouse at the time icon on task bar,

here is the date.

Date - TimeDate - Time

Can we adjust the date and time the the actual one?

1. Double click here

2. Adjust date from the calendar, time from the clock and click OK

Date - TimeDate - Time

Can we have a new Can we have a new desktop color?desktop color?

Of course, you can :

1. Right-click the mouse on Desktop

2. Choose: Properties you will get this window

Desktop PropertiesDesktop Properties

3. Choose: Desktop tab

4. Choose: Wallpaper (backgroup) and display style

5. Click: OK to confirm the settings

Desktop PropertiesDesktop Properties

Screen SaverScreen SaverSave your screen: By using the

screen saver.

2. Set: the idle wait time before the screen saver is activated. Click OK

1. Choose: Screen Saver tab and one style

Other PropertiesOther Properties

SOME SKILLS TO KNOW

• Creating shortcut• Rename any file• Copy , delete , move any file• System information• Setup any application• Getting help• Windows explorer• Searching• Some common task shortcuts• Running DOS• Dialup connection

Standard Applications on WindowsStandard Applications on Windows

What else can we do on Windows?

a lot!!

We are all familiar with these.

There are 2 styles:Standard and ScientificClick on: View Menu

CalculatorCalculator

5 + 3 = ?

3 x 5

Sin(45) = ?

15 = ?8

256 equals to ?? in binary digit

Calculator.. Just Do it!Calculator.. Just Do it!

NotePad is a small text editor application, suitable for taking

notes or memos.

Standard Applications on WindowsStandard Applications on Windows

WordPad is a small word-processing application.

Standard Applications on WindowsStandard Applications on Windows

Paint is a painting application with various tools i.e. brush, pen,

etc.

Standard Applications on WindowsStandard Applications on Windows

Others Application SoftwareOthers Application SoftwareWindows is an operating system with some standard applications. We can also install the additional applications on Windows. For example, Microsoft Office Suite, etc.

Lab Work…Lab Work…

1.1. Write at least 3 input and 3 output units with their Write at least 3 input and 3 output units with their usage.usage.

2.2. Design a flag of PakistanDesign a flag of Pakistan3.3. Design any image of your choice and colorDesign any image of your choice and color4.4. Copy all images from my document to desktop Copy all images from my document to desktop

under a folder names assignment1under a folder names assignment15.5. Make a folder in start menu and paint , notepad Make a folder in start menu and paint , notepad

icons in thaticons in that6.6. Open help file wordpad and search details on Open help file wordpad and search details on

insert object copy text and past it in Wordpad insert object copy text and past it in Wordpad then color red where ever then color red where ever objectobject word is, replace word is, replace microsoft word with MS.microsoft word with MS.

Microsoft Windows Microsoft Windows componentscomponents

Configuration and maintenance Configuration and maintenance User interface User interface Applications and utilities Applications and utilities Windows Server components Windows Server components File systems File systems Core components Core components Services Services Games Games

Configuration and Configuration and maintenance maintenance

Component Description Introduced  

Control Panel

Control Panel

Allows users to view and manipulate basic system settings and controls, such as adding hardware, adding and removing software, controlling user accounts, changing accessibility options, and so on.

Windows 1.0

Device ManagerAllows the user to display and control the hardware attached to the computer, and control what device drivers are used.

Windows 95

Windows Mobility Center

Centralizes the most relevant information related to mobile computing.

Windows Vista

Windows Security Center

Centralizes and reports on the status of anti-virus, Automatic Updates, Windows Firewall, and other security-related components of the operating system.

Windows XP SP2

List of Control Panel List of Control Panel applets applets

In recent versions of Windows, the Control Panel has In recent versions of Windows, the Control Panel has two views, Classic View and Category View, and it is two views, Classic View and Category View, and it is possible to switch between these through an option possible to switch between these through an option that appears on the left side of the window.ILthat appears on the left side of the window.IL

Applications we see in control panel are called Applications we see in control panel are called applets.applets.

The control panel then uses these lists to locate the The control panel then uses these lists to locate the applets and load them into the control panel program applets and load them into the control panel program )control.exe( when started by the user. In addition to )control.exe( when started by the user. In addition to using the control panel a user can also invoke the using the control panel a user can also invoke the applets manually via the applets manually via the command processor, for , for instance the following syntax in instance the following syntax in XP and and Vista respectively will run the internet properties appletrespectively will run the internet properties applet

Control.exe inetcpl.cplControl.exe inetcpl.cplcontrol.exe /name Microsoft. InternetOptionscontrol.exe /name Microsoft. InternetOptions

Accessibility Options Accessibility Options (Access.cpl)(Access.cpl)

Allows users to configure the accessibility of their Allows users to configure the accessibility of their PC. It comprises various settings primarily aimed PC. It comprises various settings primarily aimed at users with disabilities or hardware problems. at users with disabilities or hardware problems.

The behaviour of the The behaviour of the keyboard can be modified, can be modified, this is aimed at people who have difficulty pressing this is aimed at people who have difficulty pressing key-combinations, or pressing a key just once. )key-combinations, or pressing a key just once. )StickyKeys, , FilterKeys and and ToggleKeysToggleKeys( (

Behaviour of sounds can be modified. Behaviour of sounds can be modified. ))SoundSentrySoundSentry and and ShowSoundsShowSounds( (

High contrast mode can be activated. High contrast mode can be activated. The keyboard The keyboard cursor can be customized. can be customized. The The mouse pointer can be controlled using the can be controlled using the

keyboard. )keyboard. )MouseKeys( (

Add New Hardware Add New Hardware (hdwwiz.cpl) (hdwwiz.cpl)

Launches a Launches a wizard which allows which allows users to add new hardware users to add new hardware devices to the system. This can devices to the system. This can be done by selecting from a list of be done by selecting from a list of devices or by specifying the devices or by specifying the location of the driver location of the driver installation files. files.

Add or Remove Programs Add or Remove Programs (appwiz.cpl) (appwiz.cpl)

The Add/Remove Programs dialog allows the user to The Add/Remove Programs dialog allows the user to manipulate manipulate software installed on the system in a number of installed on the system in a number of ways; ways;

Allows users to uninstall and change existing software Allows users to uninstall and change existing software packages, as well as indicating how much space individual packages, as well as indicating how much space individual programs take and how frequently they are used. programs take and how frequently they are used.

Allows users to manually install software from a Allows users to manually install software from a CD-ROM or or Floppy Disk, and install add-ons from Windows Update. , and install add-ons from Windows Update.

Allows users to change which Windows components are Allows users to change which Windows components are installed, via the Windows setup Wizard, which includes installed, via the Windows setup Wizard, which includes Internet Explorer, , Windows Media Player and and Windows Messenger

Finally, it allows users to specify the default applications for Finally, it allows users to specify the default applications for certain tasks, via the 'set program access and defaults' wizard, certain tasks, via the 'set program access and defaults' wizard, such as internet browsers, media players and email programs such as internet browsers, media players and email programs and whether access to these programs is available and whether access to these programs is available

Administrative Tools Administrative Tools

Contains tools for system Contains tools for system administration, including security, administration, including security, performance and service performance and service configuration. These are configuration. These are links to to various configurations of the various configurations of the Microsoft Management Console such as the such as the local services list and and the the Event Viewer. .

Automatic Updates Automatic Updates (wuaucpl.cpl) (wuaucpl.cpl)

This is used to specify how the This is used to specify how the Automatic Updates client )wuauclt.exe( client )wuauclt.exe( should download updates from the should download updates from the Microsoft Update Website, by default this , by default this is set to is set to download and and install daily, daily, however this can be changed to a more however this can be changed to a more suitable frequency. This also allows the suitable frequency. This also allows the user to specify whether to ask permission user to specify whether to ask permission before downloading and/or installing before downloading and/or installing updates or to simply switch of updates or to simply switch of Automatic Updates all together. all together.

Date and Time Date and Time (timedate.cpl) (timedate.cpl)

Allows user to change the date Allows user to change the date and time stored in the machines and time stored in the machines BIOS, change the , change the time zone and and specify whether to synchronize specify whether to synchronize the date and time with an the date and time with an Internet Time Server and which and which server to use. to use.

Display (desk.cpl) Display (desk.cpl)

Allows the user to change the display characteristics of Allows the user to change the display characteristics of their computer; their computer;

Allows users to change the Allows users to change the desktop background )wallpaper( to a picture of their to a picture of their choice and specifies how it should be shown. choice and specifies how it should be shown.

Allows the user to change or disable the Allows the user to change or disable the screensaver, and , and specify how long it takes to activate and whether to ask specify how long it takes to activate and whether to ask for a for a password on resume on resume

Allows the user to specify the colour styles of all elements Allows the user to specify the colour styles of all elements within the system, primarily whether to use the within the system, primarily whether to use the Windows XP / / Vista styles )blue by default in XP( or to use styles )blue by default in XP( or to use the classic the classic Windows 98 / / Me styles, this also allows the styles, this also allows the user to change the user to change the My Computer and and Recycle Bin icons. icons.

Allows the user to change the Allows the user to change the screen resolution and and colour quality, and provides trouble shooting advice for colour quality, and provides trouble shooting advice for displays. displays.

Folder OptionsFolder Options(Shell32.dll -RUNDLL 0) (Shell32.dll -RUNDLL 0)

This item allows for configuration of how This item allows for configuration of how folders and and files are presented in are presented in Windows Explorer. More specifically it . More specifically it allows the user to specify general settings allows the user to specify general settings like whether folders open in a new window like whether folders open in a new window or the existing window and whether the or the existing window and whether the common tasks pane is shown, as well as common tasks pane is shown, as well as more advanced tasks such as whether more advanced tasks such as whether windows should hide critical system files windows should hide critical system files and whether to show file extensions. It is and whether to show file extensions. It is also used to modify file type associations in also used to modify file type associations in Windows ie., which program opens which ie., which program opens which type of file and other settings like actions type of file and other settings like actions for each file type and the file extension for each file type and the file extension

FontsFonts

Displays all Displays all fonts installed on the installed on the computer. Users can remove computer. Users can remove fonts, install new fonts or search fonts, install new fonts or search for fonts using font for fonts using font characteristics. characteristics.

Internet Options Internet Options (inetcpl.cpl) (inetcpl.cpl)

Allows the user to change the way the computer manages internet Allows the user to change the way the computer manages internet connections and connections and browser settings for settings for Internet Explorer, it has , it has several tags specifying different attributes;several tags specifying different attributes;

General - This specifies the General - This specifies the homepage and colour schemes and and colour schemes and allows the user to delete internet usage history. allows the user to delete internet usage history.

Security & Privacy - These specify whether the computer should Security & Privacy - These specify whether the computer should allow allow websites to undertake certain to undertake certain processes and download and download cookies, this panel also gives access to the inbuilt , this panel also gives access to the inbuilt popup blocker ) blocker )Windows XP SP2 and later( and the and later( and the phishing controls ) controls )Internet Explorer 7(. (.

Content - Allows the parental controls and auto-complete to be Content - Allows the parental controls and auto-complete to be configured and also specifies how to deal with configured and also specifies how to deal with certificates. .

Connections, Programs and Advanced - These give access to other Connections, Programs and Advanced - These give access to other aspects of internet settings such as the default aspects of internet settings such as the default modem connection connection and and email client, client, proxy settings and other advanced settings and other advanced configurations. configurations.

Keyboard (main.cpl Keyboard (main.cpl keyboard) keyboard)

Lets the user change and test Lets the user change and test keyboard settings, including keyboard settings, including cursor blink rate and key repeat cursor blink rate and key repeat rate. rate.

Mail (mlcfg32.cpl) Mail (mlcfg32.cpl)

Mail allows for configuration of Mail allows for configuration of the the mail client in Windows, client in Windows, usually usually Microsoft Outlook. . Microsoft Outlook Express cannot cannot be configured with this item; it is be configured with this item; it is configured through its own configured through its own interface. interface.

Mouse (main.cpl)Mouse (main.cpl)

Mouse allows the configuration of Mouse allows the configuration of pointer options, such as the double click pointer options, such as the double click and scroll speed, and includes visibility and scroll speed, and includes visibility options such as whether to leave trails options such as whether to leave trails behind the mouse pointer and whether behind the mouse pointer and whether the pointer should disappear when the pointer should disappear when typing. This also allows the user to typing. This also allows the user to specify the pointer appearance for each specify the pointer appearance for each task, such as resize and busy.task, such as resize and busy.

Network Connections Network Connections (ncpa.cpl) (ncpa.cpl)

Displays and allows the user to Displays and allows the user to edit or create edit or create network connections such as connections such as Local Area Networks )LAN( and and internet connections. It also offers connections. It also offers troubleshooting functions in case troubleshooting functions in case the computer has to be the computer has to be reconnected to the network. reconnected to the network.

Phone and Modem Phone and Modem Options (telephon.cpl) Options (telephon.cpl)

Manages Manages telephone and and modem connections. connections.

Power Options Power Options (powercfg.cpl) (powercfg.cpl)

Includes options to manage energy Includes options to manage energy consumption such as; consumption such as; – Specify how long it takes to switch off the Specify how long it takes to switch off the

display and display and hard drives and how long it takes for the system to enter standby, if at all.

– To decide what to do when the computer's To decide what to do when the computer's on/off on/off button is pressed, such as whether to shut down or to enter standby.

– Whether to allow Whether to allow Hibernation )some systems become unstable when restarting(.

– Allows the user to configure Allows the user to configure UPS )if available(.

Printers and Faxes Printers and Faxes

Displays all the Displays all the printers and and faxes currently currently installed on the computer, and has two main installed on the computer, and has two main uses; uses;

Firstly, it shows the all the jobs queued for each Firstly, it shows the all the jobs queued for each printer, the printer, the file size and status of each job and and status of each job and which user they belong to, it also allows each job which user they belong to, it also allows each job to be paused, canceled or moved up or down the to be paused, canceled or moved up or down the list. list.

Secondly, it allows the user to set the printing or Secondly, it allows the user to set the printing or faxing preferences, such as paper size and faxing preferences, such as paper size and quality via the manufacturers own preferences quality via the manufacturers own preferences pane and also specifies how to share the printer pane and also specifies how to share the printer across a across a network , the , the device drivers, , ports etc. etc.

Regional and Language Regional and Language Settings (intl.cpl)Settings (intl.cpl)

Various regional settings can be altered, for instance: Various regional settings can be altered, for instance: The way numbers are displayed )e.g. The way numbers are displayed )e.g. decimal separator(. (. How How Currency values are displayed, including the values are displayed, including the

Currency sign. . Time and date notations, such as the date separator and Time and date notations, such as the date separator and

whether the clock should be in 12 or 24 hours. whether the clock should be in 12 or 24 hours. Cultural location of the user's computer )The time zone is Cultural location of the user's computer )The time zone is

set in set in Date and Time(. (. Language; Language;

– Input language. Input language. – Keyboard layout )mapping between key strokes and characters(. Keyboard layout )mapping between key strokes and characters(. – Display language for Display language for Menus and and Dialog Boxes. .

Whether files necessary for Asiatic language support must Whether files necessary for Asiatic language support must be installed. be installed.

Installed Installed code pages. .

Security Center Security Center (Windows XP Service (Windows XP Service Pack 2 and Newer) Pack 2 and Newer) (wscui.cpl) (wscui.cpl) The security center gives the user access to the The security center gives the user access to the

inbuilt inbuilt Windows security components, as well as security components, as well as providing information about any existing providing information about any existing antivirus software such as antivirus software such as McAfee or or Zone Alarm. It includes access to . It includes access to Windows Update, where , where users can specify whether the computer should users can specify whether the computer should check for updates regularly )also available check for updates regularly )also available through the Windows Update panel(, and options through the Windows Update panel(, and options for managing internet security settings. It also for managing internet security settings. It also includes links to internet articles about PC includes links to internet articles about PC security and current security and current virus threats and notifies threats and notifies the user when the PCs security is compromised. the user when the PCs security is compromised.

Sounds and Audio Sounds and Audio Devices (mmsys.cpl) Devices (mmsys.cpl) This panel contains various audio-related functions; This panel contains various audio-related functions; Change the speaker volume and type and specify Change the speaker volume and type and specify

whether to show the volume icon in the notification whether to show the volume icon in the notification area. area.

Change the sounds played for the system or specific Change the sounds played for the system or specific programs when a certain event occurs, i.e Windows programs when a certain event occurs, i.e Windows Startup or Critical Stop. Startup or Critical Stop.

Change default devices for music playback, recording, Change default devices for music playback, recording, voice recognition, voice recognition, MIDI etc. etc.

Change the Change the Sound card settings and whether to use settings and whether to use Hardware acceleration. .

Display the audio devices installed on the computer, Display the audio devices installed on the computer, and allows them to be configured. and allows them to be configured.

Speech (Sapi.cpl)Speech (Sapi.cpl)

This applet has two main functions, the first is specify This applet has two main functions, the first is specify settings for settings for Speech synthesis, allowing the user to , allowing the user to select the voice the computer should use to select the voice the computer should use to narrate text and how fast it should read. The second is to text and how fast it should read. The second is to specify settings forspecify settings forSpeech recognition, allowing the , allowing the user to set up different profiles detailing how the user to set up different profiles detailing how the computer should deal with an individuals dialect, for computer should deal with an individuals dialect, for instance; instance; – The amount of grammatical errors in a persons voice The amount of grammatical errors in a persons voice

)punctuality sensitivity(. )punctuality sensitivity(. – The speed at which the person speaks, and the time The speed at which the person speaks, and the time

delay between words. delay between words. This also allows the user to access the voice This also allows the user to access the voice

recognition training wizard, in which an individual recognition training wizard, in which an individual 'teaches' the computer to recognize a person voice 'teaches' the computer to recognize a person voice interactively using the microphone. interactively using the microphone.

System (Sysdm.cpl) System (Sysdm.cpl)

This is used to view and change core system settings, This is used to view and change core system settings, a user can for instance: a user can for instance:

Display general information on the user's machine Display general information on the user's machine such as the amount of such as the amount of RAM, , CPU speed and type, the speed and type, the version of version of Windows the system is using and the the system is using and the manufacturer. manufacturer.

Edit the computer name in a network Edit the computer name in a network workgroup. . Manage and Configure hardware devices, and view Manage and Configure hardware devices, and view

information such as the manufacturer, user access information such as the manufacturer, user access and driver version of any hardware device installed on and driver version of any hardware device installed on the system via the system via Device Manager. .

Enable/Disable system features such as automatic Enable/Disable system features such as automatic updates and System restore monitoring. updates and System restore monitoring.

Specify advanced features such as performance logs, Specify advanced features such as performance logs, virtual memory settings and roaming profiles. virtual memory settings and roaming profiles.

Taskbar and Start Menu Taskbar and Start Menu (Shell32.dll -RUNDLL 1)(Shell32.dll -RUNDLL 1) Allows the user to change the behavior and Allows the user to change the behavior and

appearance of the appearance of the task bar and and Start Menu;; Specifies whether to use Specifies whether to use Windows XP//Vista or or

Classic Classic 9x//Me styles on the taskbar and start styles on the taskbar and start menu. menu.

Whether the taskbar should Auto-Hide. Whether the taskbar should Auto-Hide. Whether to show the clock in the Whether to show the clock in the notification area. . Allows the user to manage the tray icons. Allows the user to manage the tray icons. Advanced options such as whether to show Advanced options such as whether to show

Printers & Faxes in the start menu and whether to Printers & Faxes in the start menu and whether to display display My Documents as a menu or as a link to a as a menu or as a link to a new window. new window.

User Accounts User Accounts (nusrmgr.cpl) (nusrmgr.cpl) This allows the user to configure their This allows the user to configure their

account and other account and other accounts used in the system, should they have sufficient privileges. They can change their username and password, their picture )if enabled( and their .net passport. If the current user has an administrators account they can also add, delete and modify other user accounts as well as make changes to core system settings. This panel also specifies whether the guest account should be active and whether to use the Welcome screen while Windows loads.

Peripheral DevicesPeripheral Devices

These are options in the control panel that These are options in the control panel that show devices connected to the computer. show devices connected to the computer. They do not actually offer a direct interface They do not actually offer a direct interface to control these devices, but rather offer to control these devices, but rather offer basic tasks such as removal procedures and basic tasks such as removal procedures and links to wizards )Printers & faxes is the links to wizards )Printers & faxes is the exception(.exception(.

Such Applets include;Such Applets include; Scanners and Cameras Scanners and Cameras Game Controllers Game Controllers Portable Media Devices Portable Media Devices

Other Microsoft distributed Other Microsoft distributed applets applets

Bluetooth Devices Bluetooth Devices (bthprops.cpl)(bthprops.cpl) Available with Available with bluetooth enabled systems enabled systems

running running XP SP2 or later, this enables users to or later, this enables users to configure a Bluetooth connection, showing a configure a Bluetooth connection, showing a list of all bluetooth devices interacting with the list of all bluetooth devices interacting with the system, an addition to the following items; system, an addition to the following items;

Allowing users to create incoming and Allowing users to create incoming and outgoing 'virtual' COM Ports, which allow outgoing 'virtual' COM Ports, which allow devices to have dedicated connections to the devices to have dedicated connections to the system. system.

Allowing users to specify general bluetooth Allowing users to specify general bluetooth characteristics such as whether the computer characteristics such as whether the computer is discoverable and the computers name which is discoverable and the computers name which is broadcast. is broadcast.

Color (color.cpl)Color (color.cpl)Enables a more advanced control of colour settings within Windows than is available in 'display', suitable for developers and visual specialists it allows users to create and load ICC compliant colour profiles, associate screen colour with printers and cameras and view a 3D graphics plot of the colour gamut. By default this applet is not installed, however it can be installed for free from the Microsoft Website

Infrared (irprops.cpl)Infrared (irprops.cpl)Similar to the Bluetooth applet, this is used to configure how the computer manages any wireless infrared ports installed, including options such as connectivity and security.

CSNW (nwc.cpl)CSNW (nwc.cpl)The Client Service for NetWare applet is used to select a default tree and context in a Novell Directory Services (NDS) environment, or the NetWare server used most frequently in a non-NDS environment. Requirement: Installing the Client Service for NetWare.

Software ExplorersSoftware ExplorersPart of Windows Defender, allows users to view detailed information about software that is currently running on the computer that can affect the users' privacy or the security of the computer.

Third Party AppletsThird Party Applets

Third-party software vendors have released many Third-party software vendors have released many applets and it is impossible to mention all of them; applets and it is impossible to mention all of them; some of the more common ones are:some of the more common ones are:

Adobe Gamma )Adobe Gamma )Adobe Gamma.cplAdobe Gamma.cpl(, for altering the (, for altering the screen display with Adobe Imaging Software such as screen display with Adobe Imaging Software such as Photoshop

Java )Java )jpicpl32.cpljpicpl32.cpl(, for changing settings with (, for changing settings with Java Runtime Console

Nero Burnrights )Nero Burnrights )NeroBurnRights.cplNeroBurnRights.cpl(, for specifying (, for specifying who is allowed to use the CD burner with who is allowed to use the CD burner with Nero

nVIDIA Control panel, for changing advanced settings nVIDIA Control panel, for changing advanced settings on systems using on systems using nVIDIA GPUs

Quicktime )Quicktime )quicktime.cplquicktime.cpl(, for specifying settings of (, for specifying settings of the the Apple Quicktime Player

CONTROL PANEL ENDCONTROL PANEL END

Administrative Tools

Microsoft Management Console

Provides system administrators and advanced users with a flexible interface through which they may configure and monitor the system.

Windows NT 4.0 Option Pack

Windows System Assessment Tool

A built-in benchmarking tool that analyzes the different subsystems (graphics, memory, etc), and uses the results to allow for comparison to other Windows Vista systems, and for software optimizations. It rates the computer's performance using the Windows Experience Index.

Windows Vista

System RestoreAllows for the rolling back of system files, registry keys, installed programs, etc., to a previous state in the event of a system failure.

Windows Me

Windows Recovery Environment

Helps diagnose and recover from serious errors which may be preventing Windows from booting successfully, or restore the computer to a previous state using System Restore or a backup image.

Windows Vista

Windows Disk Defragmenter

Rearranges files stored on a hard disk to occupy contiguous storage locations in order to optimize computer performance.

Windows 95, Windows 2000

Event ViewerLets administrators and users view the event logs on a local or remote machine.

Windows NT 3.1

Reliability and Performance Monitor

Lets administrators view current system reliability and performance trends over time.

Windows Vista

Logical Disk ManagerA logical volume manager developed by Microsoft in conjunction with Veritas Software.

Windows NT 4.0 (as a separate Tool) 2000 (integrated in the Management Console)

Registry Editor Edits the Windows registry. Windows 3.1

Task SchedulerAllows users to script tasks for running during scheduled intervals

Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95

Administrative Tools

Microsoft Management Console

Provides system administrators and advanced users with a flexible interface through which they may configure and monitor the system.

Windows NT 4.0 Option Pack

Windows System Assessment Tool

A built-in benchmarking tool that analyzes the different subsystems (graphics, memory, etc), and uses the results to allow for comparison to other Windows Vista systems, and for software optimizations. It rates the computer's performance using the Windows Experience Index.

Windows Vista

System Restore Allows for the rolling back of system files, registry keys, installed programs, etc., to a previous state in the event of a system failure.

Windows Me

Windows Recovery Environment

Helps diagnose and recover from serious errors which may be preventing Windows from booting successfully, or restore the computer to a previous state using System Restore or a backup image.

Windows Vista

Windows Disk Defragmenter

Rearranges files stored on a hard disk to occupy contiguous storage locations in order to optimize computer performance.

Windows 95, Windows 2000

Event Viewer Lets administrators and users view the event logs on a local or remote machine.

Windows NT 3.1

Reliability and Performance Monitor

Lets administrators view current system reliability and performance trends over time.

Windows Vista

Logical Disk Manager A logical volume manager developed by Microsoft in conjunction with Veritas Software.

Windows NT 4.0 (as a separate Tool) 2000 (integrated in the Management Console)

Registry Editor Edits the Windows registry. Windows 3.1

Task Scheduler Allows users to script tasks for running during scheduled intervalsMicrosoft Plus! for Windows 95

Software installation and deployment

Windows UpdateAn online service which provides critical updates, service packs, device drivers, and other updates. A variation called Microsoft Update also provides software updates for several Microsoft products.

Windows 98

Windows InstallerA packaging format and engine for the installation, maintenance, and removal of software. Includes a GUI framework, automatic generation of the uninstallation sequence and deployment capabilities for corporate networks.

Windows 2000

ClickOnceTechnology for deploying .NET Framework-based software via web pages, with automatic update capabilities. Intended for per-user only applications.

.NET Framework 2.0

User interfaceUser interface

Component Description Introduced

Windows Shell

The most visible and recognizable aspect of Microsoft Windows. The shell is the container inside of which the entire graphical user interface is presented, including the taskbar, the desktop, Windows Explorer, as well as many of the dialog boxes and interface controls. In Windows Vista, a new compositing glass-like user interface called Windows Aero has been introduced.

Windows 1.0

Windows ExplorerProvides an interface for accessing the file systems, launching applications, and performing common tasks such as viewing and printing pictures.

Windows 95

Windows SearchStarting with Windows Vista, search is a tightly shell-integrated component of Windows. A downloadable Windows Desktop Search software is available for Windows XP and older versions.

Windows Vista, downloadable for older versions

Special Folders

Folders which are presented to the user through an interface as an abstract concept, instead of an absolute path. This makes it possible for an application to locate where certain kinds of files can be found, regardless of what version or language of operating system is being used. See also, Windows Shell namespace.

Windows 95

Start menu

Serves as the central launching point for applications. It provides a customizable, nested list of programs for the user to launch, as well as a list of most recently opened documents, a way to find files and get help, and access to the system settings. By default, the Start Button is visible at all times in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.

Windows 95

Taskbar The application desktop bar which is used to launch and monitor applications. Windows 95

Windows Sidebar A new panel on the side of the screen to place gadgets. Windows Vista

File associationsUsed to open a file with the correct program. File associations can be uniquely assigned to specific actions, known as verbs.

Windows 3.0

Applications and Applications and utilities utilities

Component Description Introduced

Accessories

Windows Calendar

Calendaring and task tracking application. Windows Vista

Windows Contacts

Keeps a single list of contacts that can be shared by multiple programs. Windows Vista

Calculator A calculation application. Windows 1.0

Character Map Utility to view and search characters in a font, copy them to the clipboard and view their Windows Alt keycodes and Unicode names

Windows 3.1

Paint A simple graphics painting program. Windows 1.0

Notepad A simple text editor. Windows 1.0

Narrator A screen reader utility that reads dialog boxes and window controls in a number of the more basic applications for Windows.

Windows 2000

Sound RecorderA simple audio recording program that can record from a microphone or headset, and save the results in WAVE format and Windows Media Audio format in some Windows versions.

Windows 3.1

COMMAND.COM and Cmd.exe

A text-based shell (command line interpreter) that provides a command line interface to the operating system.

MS-DOS 1.0

WordPadA simple word processor that is more advanced than Notepad. It has facilities to format and print text, but lacks intermediate features such as a spell checker and thesaurus.

Windows 95

Private Character EditorUtility to create private use characters as defined under Unicode and various East Asian encoding schemes.

 

Remote Desktop Connection

A client implementation of the Remote Desktop Protocol; allows a user to securely connect to a computer running Terminal Services (Remote Desktop on Windows XP and Server 2003) and interact with a full desktop environment on that machine, including support for remoting of printers, audio, and drives.

Windows XP, downloadable for previous Windows versions

Remote AssistanceAllows a user to temporarily take over a remote computer over a network or the internet to offer help with and resolve issues.

Windows XP

Internet ExplorerA graphical web browser and FTP client. See also: Features, History, Criticism, Removal, Browser Helper Objects

Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95

Windows Mail An e-mail and news client.Windows Vista, Outlook Express was introduced in Windows 98

Windows Fax and Scan An integrated faxing and image scanning application.

Windows Vista, older faxing and scanning applications were present in previous Windows versions

Windows Media Player

A digital media player and media library application that is used for playing audio, playing video and viewing images. In addition to being a media player, Windows Media Player includes the ability to rip music from, and copy music to compact discs, synchronize content with a digital audio player (MP3 player) or other mobile devices, and let users purchase or rent music from a number of online music stores.

Windows Me, downloadable for previous Windows versions

Windows Photo Gallery

A photo management application. Lets users organize their digital photo collection in its Gallery view, by adding titles, rating, captions, and custom metadata tags to photos. Photos can be edited for exposure, color correction, resizing, cropping, red-eye reduction, etc. and also allows printing photos via the Photo Printing Wizard.

Windows Vista

Windows Movie Maker

A video editing software that is intended for use in editing home movies. Source footage can be split into clips, and the final movie created by combining multiple clips along with effects such as transitions, titles/credits, separate audio track, timeline narration etc.

Windows Me

Windows DVD Maker A DVD movie encoding and authoring software. Windows Vista

Windows Media Center

Designed to serve as a home-entertainment hub, to be viewed from a distance up to 3 meters (~10 feet) and controlled by specially designed remote controls. Lets users browse and view pictures, videos, and music from local hard drives, optical drives, and network locations, along with viewing, recording and deferred-playing live TV. Features an interactive TV guide with scheduled recording capabilites. Can also be used for visualization of other information (like sports scores) within the interface.

Windows XP Media Center Edition

Windows Meeting Space

A peer-to-peer collaboration program which lets multiple users start collaboration sessions. Supports desktop sharing , distribution and collaborative editing of documents, and passing notes to other participants.

Windows Vista

Windows Task Manager

Provides information about computer performance and displays details about running applications, processes, network activity, logged-in users, and system services.

Windows 3.0

Disk CleanupA utility for compacting rarely used files and removing files that are no longer required.

Windows 98

Shadow Copy

A graphical front end for the Shadow Copy service that lets users choose from multiple versions of a file. The shadow copy service creates multiple copies of a file as they are changed over time, so that users can revert to previous versions.

Windows Vista. Windows Server 2003 included Previous Versions support only for client computers.

Snipping Tool A screen-capture tool that allows for taking screen shots (called snips).Experience Pack for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005

Windows Server Windows Server components components Component Description Supported by

Windows Server domain

A logical group of computers that share a central directory and user database.All Windows NT-based versions

Active Directory

A set of technologies introduced with Windows 2000 that allows administrators to assign enterprise-wide policies, deploy programs to many computers, and apply critical updates to an entire organization. Active Directory stores information and settings relating to an organization in a central, organized, accessible database. Networks can vary from a small installation with a few objects, to global-scale directories with millions of objects.   Related topics: Active Directory Service Interfaces, Flexible single master operation, IntelliMirror, Active Directory Application Mode

Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003

Domain controller

A server that responds to security authentication requests (logging in, checking permissions, etc.) within a Windows Server domain. Prior to Windows 2000, a domain controller was either a Primary Domain Controller (PDC), of which there could only be one with this role; or a Backup Domain Controller (BDC). In Windows 2000 and later the concept of primary and secondary domain controllers were eliminated, partially to emphasize the multi-master replication technology available in Windows.

All Windows NT-based versions

Group Policy

Provides centralized management of user and computer settings in an Active Directory environment. Group policy can control a target object's registry, NTFS security, audit and security policy, software installation, logon/logoff scripts, folder redirection, and Internet Explorer settings. Policy settings are stored in Group Policy Objects (GPOs), and may be linked to one or more sites, domains or organizational units.   Related topics: Administrative Templates

Windows 2000 and later

Internet Information Services

Web serverWindows NT family

File systems File systems

Component Acronym Description Supported by

File Allocation TableFAT, FAT12, FAT16

The original file systems used with MS-DOS. The standard file systems used with Windows 1.0 through Windows 95.

All versions

FAT32 FAT32Extensions to FAT supporting larger disk sizes. The standard file system for Windows 98 and Me.

Windows 95 OSR2, Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista

NTFS NTFS

Standard file system of Windows NT; supports security via access control lists, as well as file system journaling and file-system metadata. Windows 2000 added support for reparse points (making NTFS junction points and Single instance storage possible), Hard links, file compression, and Sparse files. Encryption of data is provided by Encrypting File System. Symbolic links and transactioning of file operations via Transactional NTFS are features new to Windows Vista. Windows 95 also supports reading NTFS partitions, over a network.

Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista

ISO 9660ISO 9660 ("CDFS")

The predominant file system for CD-ROM and DVD-ROM media. Windows includes support for Joliet extensions and the ISO 9660:1999 standard. ISO 9660:1999 is supported since Windows XP.

MS-DOS and Windows 9x via extensions, such as MSCDEX.EXE (Microsoft CDROM Extension), natively in Windows NT

Universal Disk Format UDF

A file system for storing files on optical media. It is an implementation of the ISO/IEC 13346 standard (also known as ECMA-167). It is considered to be a replacement of ISO 9660. Successive versions of Windows have supported newer versions of UDF.

Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Server 2003, Windows Vista

HPFS HPFS

High-Performance File system, used on OS/2 computers. Read and write capability in Windows 95 (where it also listed network computer NTFS-formatted drives as "HPFS", even though it had no direct NTFS capabilities). HPFS write support was dropped in Windows NT 4.0 and Windows 98, and dropped altogether shortly before the release of Windows 2000.

Windows 95 (Read/write), Windows 98, Windows NT (read), 3.1/3.51 (read/write/boot)

Core componentsCore components

Component Acronym Description

Windows kernel (Windows NT)

Ntoskrnl.exe  

The Windows kernel image. Provides the kernel and executive layers of the kernel architecture, and is responsible for services such as hardware virtualization, process and memory management, etc.

hal.dll HAL

Provides and handles the interaction between software and hardware via the Hardware Abstraction Layer.

Core processes (Windows NT)

System idle process SIPA counter which measures how much idle capacity the CPU has at any given time. The process runs in the background and monitors processing bandwidth, occupied memory and the Windows virtual paging file.

Session Manager Subsystem SMSS

Performs several critical boot-time operations, such as the creation of environment variables, starting CSRSS, and performs file-copy operations that were queued up from before the system was booted (pending file rename operations). During system operation, it handles the creation of logon sessions via Winlogon and handles Windows File Protection.

Client/Server Runtime Subsystem

CSRSSUser-mode side of the Win32 subsystem. Provides the capability for applications to use the Windows API.

Local Security Authority Subsystem Service

LSASSResponsible for enforcing the security policy on the system. Verifies users logging on to the computer and creates security tokens.

Winlogon  

Responsible for handling the secure attention key, loading the user profile on logon, and optionally locking the computer when a screensaver is running. On Windows NT systems prior to Windows Vista, Winlogon is also responsible for loading GINA libraries which are responsible collecting logon credentials from the user.

Svchost.exe  A generic host process name for services that run from dynamic-link libraries (DLLs). Several Svchost processes are typically present on a Windows machine, each running in a different security context, depending on what privileges the contained services require.

Windows on Windows and WOW64

WoWAn abstraction layer that allows legacy code to operate on more modern versions of Windows; typically this means running 16-bit Windows applications on 32-bit Windows, and 32-bit applications on 64-bit Windows.

Virtual DOS machine NTVDMAllows MS-DOS programs to run on Intel 80386 or higher computers when there is already another operating system running and controlling the hardware. Introduced in Windows 2.1; not available in any 64-bit edition of Windows.

System startup (Windows NT)

NTLDR, IA64ldr, Winload

 

The boot loader; performs basic system initialization options such as loading the hardware abstraction layer and boot-time device drivers, prior to passing control to the Windows kernel. In versions prior to Vista, NTLDR and IA64ldr also display menus to the user if multiple operating systems are defined in boot.ini, or if F8 is pressed.

Recovery Console  

Provides the means for administrators to perform a limited range of tasks using a command line interface, primarily to aid in recovering from situations where Windows does not boot successfully.

ntdetect.com  Used during the boot process to detect basic hardware components that may be required during the boot process.

Windows Boot Manager  In Windows Vista and later operating systems, displays boot menus to the user if multiple operating systems are configured in the system's Boot Configuration Data.

Graphical subsystem

Graphics Device Interface GDI/GDI+The kernel graphics component for representing graphical objects and transmitting them to output devices such as monitors and printers.

Desktop Window Manager DWMThe compositing manager introduced in Windows Vista that handles compositing and manages special effects on screen objects in a graphical user interface.

ServicesServices Display name Service name Description Introduced

Alerter service AlerterSends administrative alerts over the network to client computers, administrators and users.

Windows NT

Application Layer Gateway service

ALGProvides support for plugins that allow network protocols to pass through Windows Firewall and work behind Internet Connection Sharing.

Windows 2000

Application Management  Processes requests to enumerate, install, and remove applications that are installed on the computer or deployed through an organization’s network.

Windows 2000

Background Intelligent Transfer Service

BITS

Transfers files between machines using idle network bandwidth. Used by Windows Update, Windows Server Update Services, and Systems Management Server to deliver software updates to clients, as well as by Windows Messenger.

Windows XP

Distributed Transaction Coordinator

MSDTC

Allows transactional components to be configured through COM+ by coordinating transactions that are distributed across multiple computers and/or resource managers, such as databases, message queues, file systems, and other transaction–based resource managers.

Windows 2000 and later NT-based

Network Location Awareness NLAManages network configurations and information, and notifies applications of changes.

Windows XP

NT LM Security Support Provider

NTLMSSP

Uses the NTLM MS-CHAP protocol to encapsulate and negotiate options in order to provide signed and sealed communication. Deprecated now in favor of Kerberos authentication.

Windows NT

Print Spooler SpoolerManages printer devices and moves files into memory for printing.

Windows 95, Windows NT

Security Account Manager SamSs Manages user account security information.Windows NT family

Task Scheduler Schedule Lets users setup and schedule automated tasks.Microsoft Plus! for Windows 95

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)

STISvc Handles scanner and camera inputs. Windows Me

Windows Time W32Time Synchronizes the system time with external time servers.Windows NT family

Wireless Zero Configuration WZCSvc Configures and manages 802.11 wireless adaptersWindows XP, Server 2003 only

Messenger service MessengerAllows users to send pop-up messages to other computers over the network.

Windows NT family

MSRPC RPCSsProvides Remote Procedure Call(RPC) technique via remotely accessible Named Pipes.

Windows NT family

Volume Shadow Copy Service

VSS Create multiple versions of files that change.

Windows XP, ability to store persistent snapshots in Windows Server 2003

Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing

SharedAccess   Windows XP

Games Games

Component Description Introduced

Chess Titans A version of Chess. Windows Vista

FreeCell A version of FreeCell. Win32s

Hearts A version of Hearts using Black Lady scoring.Windows for Workgroups 3.11

Hold 'Em A version of Texas hold 'em.Windows Ultimate Extras

InkBallA game employing the use of a stylus or mouse to draw lines to direct balls into holes of corresponding colors.

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005

Mahjong Titans A version of Mahjong solitaire. Windows Vista

Minesweeper A version of Minesweeper. Windows 3.1

Purble PlaceAn educational game for children, teaching pattern recognition, shapes, and colors.

Windows Vista

Solitaire A version of Klondike Solitaire. Windows 3.0

Spider Solitaire A version of Spider Solitaire. Microsoft Plus! 98

QuestionsQuestions

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