Operating Systems

Written by: Tim Keyser

Georgia CTAE Resource Network 2010

• Manipulating files and folders within an Manipulating files and folders within an operating system is one of the first operating system is one of the first features a user should understand.features a user should understand.

• Microsoft Windows includes the Windows Microsoft Windows includes the Windows Explorer utility which easily allows users to Explorer utility which easily allows users to use functions such as create, modify, use functions such as create, modify, copy, move, and delete files and folders.copy, move, and delete files and folders.

Operating System BasicsOperating System Basics

Windows ExplorerWindows Explorer

To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to To open Windows Explorer, click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click Windows Explorer. click Windows Explorer. 

Windows Explorer can also be opened several Windows Explorer can also be opened several other ways, including alternate (right) clicking on other ways, including alternate (right) clicking on the Start menu and choosing Explore (Open the Start menu and choosing Explore (Open Windows Explorer).Windows Explorer).

Windows Explorer ContinuedWindows Explorer Continued

This link contains instructions for This link contains instructions for manipulating files and folders using manipulating files and folders using Windows Explorer within Windows XP.Windows Explorer within Windows XP.

This link contains instructions for This link contains instructions for manipulating files and folders using manipulating files and folders using features found in Windows Vista.features found in Windows Vista.

Windows 7 and VistaWindows 7 and Vista

Windows 7 contains much of the same functionality as Vista, including the Live Search feature which allows users to search folders by simply typing a word in the folder’s search box.

Command PromptCommand Prompt

A command prompt is a command line A command prompt is a command line interface that creates a DOS (Disk interface that creates a DOS (Disk Operating System) environment within Operating System) environment within Windows.Windows.

Open the Command Prompt window by Open the Command Prompt window by clicking the Start button, clicking All clicking the Start button, clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, and then Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking Command Prompt.clicking Command Prompt.

Command Prompt ContinuedCommand Prompt Continued

A command prompt can also be opened A command prompt can also be opened by typing CMD in the Run(XP) or Search by typing CMD in the Run(XP) or Search (Vista and 7) box on the Start menu.(Vista and 7) box on the Start menu.

This link contains all of the utilities This link contains all of the utilities available from the command prompt in available from the command prompt in Windows, but the majority of these will not Windows, but the majority of these will not be used by most users.be used by most users.

CHKDSK and IPCONFIGCHKDSK and IPCONFIG

CHKDSK and IPCONFIG are two excellent CHKDSK and IPCONFIG are two excellent utilities that can be run from a command prompt.utilities that can be run from a command prompt.

CHKDSK (Check Disk) allows the operating CHKDSK (Check Disk) allows the operating system to examine the disk and file system and system to examine the disk and file system and fix errors.fix errors.

IPCONFIG allows the user to view network IPCONFIG allows the user to view network information and troubleshoot problems with information and troubleshoot problems with connectivity.connectivity.

Common CommandsCommon Commands

The table below contains some of the The table below contains some of the commands used regularly at a command commands used regularly at a command prompt. Familiarize yourself with these prompt. Familiarize yourself with these commands and their functions.commands and their functions.

Chkdsk Copy Del

Format Ipconfig Mkdir (md)

Move Ping Rename

UnderstandingUnderstandingVirtually all tasks executed from a Virtually all tasks executed from a

command prompt can also be performed command prompt can also be performed within the GUI (Graphical User Interface) within the GUI (Graphical User Interface) of Windows.of Windows.

Understanding multiple methods of Understanding multiple methods of accomplishing tasks provides the user with accomplishing tasks provides the user with the ability to continue to perform the ability to continue to perform operations when certain functionality is operations when certain functionality is disabled by a virus or other issue.disabled by a virus or other issue.