Lesson 04

What Is Network

A computer network is a digital telecommunications network which allows nodes to share resources. In computer networks, computing devices exchange data with each other using connections (data links) between nodes. These data links are established over cable media such as wires or optic cables, or wireless media such as Wi-Fi.

Network computer devices that originate, route and terminate the data are called network nodes.Nodes are generally identified by network addresses, and can include hosts such as personal computers, phones, and servers, as well as networking hardware such as routers and switches. Two such devices can be said to be networked together when one device is able to exchange information with the other device, whether or not they have a direct connection to each other. In most cases, application-specific communications protocols are layered (i.e. carried as payload) over other more general communications protocols. This formidable collection of information technology requires skilled network management to keep it all running reliably.

Computer networks support an enormous number of applications and services such as access to the World Wide Web, digital video, digital audio, shared use of application and storage servers, printers, and fax machines, and use of email and instant messaging applications as well as many others. Computer networks differ in the transmission medium used to carry their signals, communications protocols to organize network traffic, the network's size, topology, traffic control mechanism and organizational intent. The best-known computer network is the Internet.





What is Windows 7 and Windows 10



The most significant difference between Windows 7 and Windows 10 is that Windows 10 is an attempt to synchronize the OS on all its products. This includes PCs, laptops, tablets, phones, as well as its Xboxs. Whereas, Windows 7 is only supported on PCs and laptops. Also, what is most noteworthy is that Windows 10 is Free.



Microsoft has recently launched its newest operating system, the Windows 10. Windows 10, which is the next OS in line after Windows 8.1, is supposedly the last OS that Microsoft will launch. According to Microsoft, after Windows 10, Microsoft will continuously release updates for Windows 10 rather than launch another operating system. Windows 10 has some significant changes over the previous Windows operating system. However, what is most noteworthy is that Windows 10 is Free. Genuine users of Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 can upgrade their systems to Windows 10 for free within a year of its launch. After the year is up, they will have to purchase Windows 10, just like everyone else.

The most significant difference between Windows 7 and Windows 10 is that Windows 10 is an attempt to synchronize the OS on all its products. This includes PCs, laptops, tablets, phones, as well as its Xboxs. Whereas, Windows 7 is only supported on PCs and laptops. Due to this, Windows 10 is optimized for touchscreen, while Windows 7 is not.

Generally speaking Windows 10 is a composite of Windows 7 and Windows 8. It re-implements the Start Menu from Windows 7, and incorporates it with the Live Tiles of Windows 8. Windows 7 has a straightforward, well-designed interface that is very familiar to Windows users. However, Windows 8 has completely rehauled the user interface. Windows 10 tries to give the user the best of both worlds.

Another difference between the OSes is search. The search in Windows 7 allows the user to search through the computer’s files and applications. The search in Windows 10 does this as well, but goes a step beyond and allows the user to directly search the web, as well as Windows Store.

Windows 10 also adds Cortana to the mix. Cortana is Windows’s Siri-like virtual assistant. Cortana allows the user to do a multitude of function just by giving Cortana a voice command. Some of the things that Cortana can help with is search queries, upcoming appointments, the weather, directions to the nearest coffee shop, and many others. She can also schedule appointments, take dictated notes, add tasks and reminders, and play music.

Windows 10 also allows the user to create virtual desktops. This can be done via the Task view icon located in the Taskbar. Virtual desktops allow the user to segregate their work onto different desktops. Hence, one desktop can be for office work, another for personal work, a third for games, and so forth.

Also, while Windows 7 came with Internet Explorer 8 built in, Windows 10 has upgraded to Windows Edge. Windows Edge is more streamlined and faster than Internet Explorer 8, which is why Internet Explorer has met its demise. Microsoft has announced that it will discontinue support for Internet Explorer.

Windows 7 was a favorite with PC games, as it has one of the best support. Windows 8 and 8.1 was debatable. However, Windows 10 has tried not to leave the games behind this time. Windows 10 includes DirectX 12, which has some impressive bench testing results when it comes to gaming. DirectX 12 is known to make significant strides in improving gaming performance.




Another game related addition in Windows 10 is that of PC Game DVR. This upgrade is to the Xbox app that allows users to record videos of their games in real time and then share it with friends. Users will also be able to play Xbox One games on their PCs by streaming across their local network.


What Is A File Extension


A file extension, or filename extension, is a suffix at the end of a computer file. It comes after the period, and is usually two-four characters long. If you’ve ever opened a document or viewed a picture, you’ve probably noticed these letters at the end of your file.

File extensions are used by the operating system to identify what apps are associated with what file types—in other words, what app opens when you double-click the file. For example, a file named “awesome_picture.jpg” has the “jpg” file extension. When you open that file in Windows, for example, the operating system looks for whatever app is associated with JPG files, opens that app, and loads the file.




What Is A Control Panel In Windows


The Control Panel in Windows is a collection of applets, sort of like tiny programs, that can be used to configure various aspects of the operating system.

For example, one applet in Control Panel lets you configure the mouse pointer size (among other things), while another allows you to adjust all the sound related settings.

Other applets can be used to change network settings, set up a storage space, manage display settings, and much more. You can see what they all do in our List of Control Panel Applets.

So, before you can make any of these changes to Windows, you'll need to open the Control Panel. Fortunately, it's super easy to do — at least in most versions of Windows.


  1. Choose the Start button (Windows 7 or Vista) or Start (Windows XP).
  2. Select Control Panel from the list in the right margin.



What Is A Run In Windows


The Windows Run or Run box is a feature first introduced in Microsoft Windows 95 and included in all later versions of Windows. It allows the user to open a program by name if found in the Windows directory or start any file by typing in the full path. ... Opening Control Panel items from the Run box.




Windows System Commands

Type the following commands in your Run dialogue box (Windows Key + R) to run specific programs.

devmgmt.msc: Device Manager

msinfo32: System Information

cleanmgr: Disk Cleanup

ntbackup: Backup or restore Wizard (Windows Backup Utility)

mmc: Microsoft Management Console

excel: Microsoft Excel (if installed)

msaccess: Microsoft Access (if installed)

powerpnt: Microsoft PowerPoint (if installed)

winword: Microsoft Word (if installed)

frontpg: Microsoft FrontPage (if installed)

notepad: Notepad

wordpad: WordPad

calc: Calculator

msmsgs: Windows Messenger

mspaint: Microsoft Paint

wmplayer: Windows Media Player

rstrui: System restore

control: Opens the Control Panel

control printers: Opens the printers dialogue box

cmd: Command Prompt

iexplore: Internet Explorer

compmgmt.msc: Computer Management

dhcpmgmt.msc: DHCP Management

dnsmgmt.msc: DNS Management

services.msc: Services

eventvwr: Event Viewer

dsa.msc: Active Directory Users and Computers

dssite.msc: Active Directory Sites and Service