OPERATING SYSTEMS

Topic: Operating Systems

When I am done this lesson, I will know:

 What an operating system is
 What is on the desktop of Windows 10
 How to open an application

Pre and Post Self-Assessment

Pre Pre Post Post
Yes, I know No, I want to Yes, I know I still need
this learn this this more practice
to learn this
I know what
an operating
system is.
I know what is
on the
desktop o of
the Windows
10 operating
system.
I know how to
open and
application
(software).

New Words and Terms

Operating system
Applications
Programmer
Input
Output
Storage

What is an Operating System?

An operating system is software that allows a user to run other applications on a computer. The short
form or acronym for operating system is OS. The operating system allows you to interact with the
computer. Most software applications are written to run on an operating system.

1
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Software is a set of instructions or a computer program that tells the
Re hardware what to do. The operating system of a computer is one type of
view software. There are also thousands of other types of software programs
that you can use on a computer. Some of the most common software
programs you might use are Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat. Software is
written by a computer programmer.

The operating system manages the hardware for a computer such as:
 Input devices such as a keyboard and mouse
 Output devices such as display monitors, printers and scanners
 Network devices such as modems, routers and network connections
 Storage devices such as internal and external drives
There are operating systems for computers and for smartphones. Some common operating systems
are:
 Microsoft Windows
 MAC OS X
 Linux
 iOS (used on iPhones and iPads)
 Android (used on Android phones and tablets)

Watch this to learn more about https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/understanding-

operating systems. operating-systems/1/
Source: GCFGlobal.org

2
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Windows

One of the most common operating systems is Windows. The next section will provide a short
overview of what is on the Windows 10 desktop.
Lock screen

When you first turn on a computer with Windows 10 the lock screen will appear. You can click
anywhere on the screen to unlock it and make the login screen appear.
Screen reader users can press ESC to dismiss the lock screen.

Windows 10 Login Screen

The login screen will look something like the screen below. It may look a bit different depending on
the computer.

3
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Desktop Screen

Once you have logged in the desktop screen will appear.

Screen reader users can press Windows key + M, or Windows key + D to make the desktop appear
any time.

4
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Recycle Bin

When you delete a file, it is moved to the Recycle Bin. This allows you to recover (get back) the file if
you change your mind.
If you want to get rid of the files in the Recycle Bin, you need to empty it.

Folders on the Desktop

You can keep different things on your desktop top including folders, files and shortcuts. This allows
you to access things you use all the time quickly.

5
OPERATING SYSTEMS

Desktop Background

The background of the desktop is also called “wallpaper”. You can change the background with your
own images or pictures.

6
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Open Folders

When you double click, you will open in a program called File Explorer. File Explorer allows you to
navigate to find the file you are looking for.
The equivalent for screen reader users for a double click is pressing ENTER.

Taskbar

The taskbar contains shortcuts to applications, the date and time, and lots of other information. You
can personalize a task bar by adding or deleting different things. When you open a program or file, it
will appear on the taskbar. You can easily switch between different programs you have open by
clicking on them from the taskbar.
Screen reader users can press WINDOWS key + T to bring up the taskbar, and navigate across it
with the left and right arrow keys.

7
OPERATING SYSTEMS

Shortcuts on the Taskbar

Some programs have shortcuts on the taskbar in Windows. For example, the Windows store, Internet
Edge, and File Explorer usually show on the taskbar if you are using Windows 10.

Date and Time Settings

8
OPERATING SYSTEMS
On the right-hand side of the task bar you will see the date and time settings. When the computer is
connected to the Internet, the date and time settings will usually update automatically. Other settings
like volume and internet connections also appear on this part of the task bar.
For screen reader users, this area is also called the “system tray”. You can access it by pressing
WINDOWS key + B, and navigate it with the left and right arrow keys.

Start Button

In most versions of Windows, you will click on the Start Button to open the Start Menu. The start
button is on the left-hand corner of the screen. When you click on the Start Button you can find all the
applications (software) on the computer.
Screen reader users can press the WINDOWS key to enter the start menu. Navigating the list of
programs can be done with the up and down arrow keys. Navigating through the different sections of
the start menu can be done with TAB and SHIFT + TAB.

9
OPERATING SYSTEMS

Opening Applications using the Start Button

 Use the start menu to open programs on the computer

 Click the “Start” button in the bottom-left corner of the screen
o Choose an application, by left clicking once
o If you do not see the one you want, select “All Apps” to see a full list of applications on
that computer

Screen reader users can press the WINDOWS key, use the up and down arrows to find a program,
and press enter to open it. Once you are done with the program, press ALT + F4 to close it.

10
OPERATING SYSTEMS
Check Your Knowledge

1. Name two different operating systems.




2. If you delete a file, where does it go? _______________________________

3. How do you find an application on the computer? ______________________________

4. What application do you use to file a file on the computer? _____________________

Try this/Practice

Use the Calculator

 Click on the Start Button.
 Open the Calculator.
 What is 235 + 46? ________________________
Windows users can open the calculator as described above. Once the calculator is open, you can
type in the math question above, and press ENTER to get the answer.
Open from the Taskbar
 Click on File Explorer on the Taskbar.
 Open “Documents”.
 What is the name of the first document or folder you see? ______________________
Screen reader users can open the taskbar with WINDOWS + T, find file Explorer with the left and
right arrow keys, and press enter to open it. Once it’s open, you can navigate the list of files and
folders with the arrow keys.

Optional: I want to learn more

Watch this to learn more about Windows 10. https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/windows10/getting-

Source: GCFGlobal.org started-with-windows-10/1/
11
OPERATING SYSTEMS

You can also read these articles from GCFGlobal to learn more about Windows 10.
 “Windows 10: Frequently Asked Questions”: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/windows10/windows-
10-frequently-asked-questions/1/
 “Windows 10 Features”: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/windows10/windows-10-features/1/
 “Upgrading to Windows 10”: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/windows10/upgrading-to-windows-10/1/
If you want to learn about the MAC operating system GCFGlobal has a tutorial called MAC OS
Basics: https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/macosbasics/

Ontario Adult Literacy Curriculum Framework Connection

Competency Task Groups(s)
Find and Use Information  Read Continuous Text
 Interpret Documents
 Extract Information from films, broadcasts and
presentations
Communicate Ideas and  Complete and Create Documents
Information
Use Digital Technology  n/a

12