Trace the evolution of Microsoft Windows from a graphical shell for MS-DOS to Windows 10, covering XP, Vista, 7, 8, NT, and server editions.

Explore Windows Vista, released in 2006, with Aero, Windows Search, and redesigned subsystems, plus .NET Framework 3.0 integration and media tools. Evaluate its security, licensing, drm concerns, and compatibility issues.

Explore Windows 7, a 2009 upgrade in the Windows NT family from Vista, featuring aero improvements, a redesigned taskbar, libraries, homegroup, security enhancements, and XP mode.

Windows 10 introduces a universal app architecture and metro-style apps across devices, with a touch-friendly interface, task view, Edge, biometric logins, Continuum, and Cortana.

Review the different versions of Windows and assess Windows Vista, noting that it had a slower boot time than the previous OS and came in multiple editions.

Explore the action center to see security and maintenance, and identify red and yellow items while reviewing features like firewall, Windows Defender protection, Smart Screen, Windows Update, and automatic maintenance.

Explore 32-bit vs 64-bit: memory limits, compatibility, and how a 64-bit OS can run 32-bit apps while a 32-bit OS cannot run 64-bit apps, demonstrated on a 64-bit system.

Encrypt the full disk for Windows Vista Ultimate and Enterprise editions. Protect data by encrypting volumes with AES CBC and offering TPM 1.2 mode, pre-boot PIN, or USB startup key.

Explore shadow copies and the volume shadow copy service (VSS) for point-in-time backups of files and volumes, with snapshots, providers, writers, and restore points.

Use system restore to undo OS changes by returning to a restore point, reloading programs and drivers while preserving personal files; beware multi-boot issues with XP and Vista restore points.

Explore the Windows sidebar and its gadgets, like Clock and Feed Headlines, mini-programs that display information at a glance. Gadgets faced security vulnerabilities and were discontinued in Windows 10.

Learn to use compatibility mode for older apps, run operating systems with VirtualBox and shared folders, and transfer files with Windows Easy Transfer from XP to Windows 7, noting limitations.

Explore Windows XP mode, a virtualized Windows XP inside Windows 7 that lets you run legacy XP programs like Photoshop 4.0, using either a full VM or a program window.

Explore how Windows Defender in Windows 8.1 evolved to a full anti-malware solution, offering quick, full, and custom scans, real-time protection, and configurable exclusions and maps integration.

Open the Windows firewall in the control panel, adjust which apps are allowed, and set public or private network rules. Use advanced settings to create administrator rules and troubleshoot connectivity.

Learn how to switch the Windows control panel between category view and classic view, with category view presenting categories and task lists, and classic view showing all contents.

Tile windows side by side to view two files or programs in Windows Vista through 8.1, tiling vertically or horizontally. Metro UI emphasizes typography and geometry for faster touch use.

Explore how to personalize the Windows 8 start screen by grouping and naming tiles, choosing animated backgrounds, pinning websites and apps, and resizing and rearranging for easier access.

Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit is a lifecycle management tool that analyzes the portfolio of applications, websites, and devices and generates compatibility reports to ease Windows updates.

Test your understanding of Windows compatibility tools, including ACT and the Compatibility Administrator, and how they analyze portfolios to resolve compatibility issues before deploying new Windows versions.

Explore features of Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 8.1, plus a short overview of Windows 10, with a focus on compatibility and upgrade advisor tools.

Learn how to install Windows on your PC, boot with different methods, and keep Windows updated with patches. Windows holds the largest PC market share alongside Mac OS and Linux.

Demonstrates how to change boot methods in the BIOS to boot from DVD, USB, or network options, and set boot option priorities for installations.

Learn Windows unattended deployment with ADS, a master image, and a two-phase process, plus remote PXE deployment via Windows Deployment Services.

Explains a clean Windows 8 install from optical media, covers installation types, partitioning with system and primary partitions, and the five install phases plus a local account setup.

Explore the three Windows file systems—FAT, FAT32, and NTFS—and exFAT for embedded systems, including their compatibility, fragmentation concerns, and formatting options.

Compare basic and dynamic disks, learn how volumes span disks with mirrored or raid5 fault tolerance, and explore active, primary, logical, and extended partitions with NTFS-formatted volumes in Windows storage.

Prepare the hard disk per manufacturer, then format with NTFS (preferred) or FAT, and configure SATA or IDE settings, including enabling AHCI for SATA and proper jumpers or BIOS changes.

Register the domain with an ICANN-approved registrar such as GoDaddy, provide owner and contact details, and configure DNS server with a lookup zone including SOA, NS, CNAME, and MX records.

Configure wired and wireless networks by setting TCP/IP with DHCP or static addresses, linking NICs to hubs, routers, or switches, and securing wireless access with SSID and WPA/WPA2.

Configure your computer to switch between office and home networks using the alternate configuration for IPv4 when DHCP is unavailable, with manual static IP, gateway, DNS, and wins settings.

Explore configuring an alternative IP configuration for networks with and without DHCP. Learn about AP IPA addressing, automatic vs manual settings, and seamless home or office connectivity.

Protect networks by implementing a firewall, hardware or software, that acts as a barrier between networks and only allows traffic that meets predefined rules to pass.

Explore four proxy server types—transparent, anonymous, distorting, and high anonymity—and learn common uses such as sharing a LAN connection, speeding up surfing, hiding your IP, and bypassing filters.

Explore how Windows Backup returns in Windows 10, integrates OneDrive, and supports system image backups, resets, and recovery drives, while enabling scheduled backups and system restore.

Learn to maintain disk health by defragmenting non-contiguous blocks and scheduling Disk Check, Disk Defragmenter, and Disk Cleanup to improve I/O performance.

Apply patches to shield systems from malware that can enter via the internet, mail, or hacking. Windows Defender and Microsoft Security Essentials provide integrated protection across Windows versions.

Compare workgroups and domains to understand how resources are managed within operating systems fundamentals, and note that all computers must be on the same local network or subnet.

Master Windows installation and patching, boot methods, partitions and recovery to maintain stable systems, and configure networks, drivers, backups, and remote support with up-to-date security features.

Explore bootrec.exe in the Windows Recovery Environment to repair the MBR, boot sector, and BCD, using fixboot, fixmbr, RebuildBCD, and ScanOS, then manage gpupdate and gpresult for policy settings.

Learn how to use gpupdate to refresh group policy and gpresult to view results, including RSLP summary data, operating system information, and local user policy settings, with essential command arguments.

Learn to use md, rd, dir, cd, and del commands in Windows to manage directories, view contents, pause output, and confirm deletions within the command prompt.

Learn to use Windows disk commands to manage disks and partitions. Format partitions to a file system and use chkdsk to repair errors and mark bad sectors, with automation scripts.

Delete files and directories with the del command, using wildcards. Copy files between directories with the copy command, noting the destination defaults to the current directory.

Demonstrates using copy and xcopy commands in Windows to copy files and directories via the command prompt, including wildcard copying and handling overwrite prompts with practical examples.

Learn how to use System File Checker (SFC) to scan and restore corrupted Windows system files from an administrator Command Prompt, leveraging SFC /scannow and Windows Resource Protection.

Learn how to terminate tasks by process id or image name with the taskkill command, view command options with taskkill /? and run real examples like taskkill /IM notepad.exe.

Answer a knowledge check on Windows command and bootrec, a Microsoft tool in Windows Recovery Environment, used when the computer fails to start.

Explore Windows administrative tools such as Computer Management and Services. Learn to use data sources with ODBC and configure Local Security Policy, Performance Monitor, Print Management, and the Services tool.

Explore how the performance monitor displays counters to troubleshoot system performance and collect real-time data in logs using data collector sets and event trace data.

Explore msconfig to troubleshoot the Windows startup process by managing general startup options, boot configurations, services, startup items, and tools.

Discover how Task Manager stops unresponsive apps, sets process priorities and affinity, and terminates tasks in Windows, including options to shut down, restart, and log off via tabs.

Navigate the task manager, switch to more details, and monitor CPU, memory, disk, and network usage; explore startup options, user sessions, and the services and details views.

Learn how the disk management tool views and manages disk drives and partitions, displaying status, layout, and capacity. Mount, initialize, extend, shrink, or split partitions, and manage drive letters.

Explore how to use disk management in Windows to configure drives, create and format volumes, manage partitions (GPT vs MBR), and handle unallocated space, drive letters, and mounts.

Explore command line fundamentals in Windows by using command prompt as administrator to run dir, dir /w, dir /p, cls, date, and system info for evaluating directories and system configuration.

Demonstrates using the Microsoft Management Console to add snap-ins, manage disks, and administer remote computers from a single Windows 8 interface.

Connect to a remote computer or virtual machine with remote desktop connection, RDC/MSTSC, gain full control, and configure login, display, and local resources while optimizing performance.

Demonstrates using Notepad in Windows 8 to create and save text documents, choose Save or Save As with ANSI, Unicode, UTF8 encoding, and adjust font, word wrap, and status bar.

Demonstrates using Windows Update to manage updates over the internet or without an internet connection, adjust update settings in Control Panel, view update history, and uninstall updates.

Learn to use the Microsoft drive optimization tool to defragment and repair files, placing fragmented data into contiguous locations for performance.

Explore how the control panel lets you view and manipulate basic system settings through applets like add/remove software, add hardware, and control user accounts, using Windows utilities.

Learn how Windows display settings let you configure resolution, wallpaper, screensavers, layout, and color through the graphics driver, and manage user accounts (standard, administrator, guest) in the control panel.

Explore how to customize Windows Explorer with folder options, including hiding files and extensions, adjusting views, grouping, columns, and hidden items to personalize the file browser.

Learn to use Windows power options to create, configure, and switch power plans such as balanced, high performance, and power saver to optimize display and battery life.

Connect to the internet and manage LAN, WLAN, VPN, dial-up, and broadband connections from the central network and sharing center, and share items in a homegroup with permissions.

Administrator accounts provide the most control over a computer. Use them only when necessary, as emphasized in this knowledge check.

Explore the key features of Mac OS X and Linux, including the GUI and UNIX core, and security through root access controls. Compare pricing, upgrades, and gaming support.

OS X is Apple's UNIX operating system, successor to Mac OS 9, built on NeXT technology, with 10.0–10.8 named after big cats and later California landmarks.

Examine Mac OS X's layered architecture, from kernel and core services to application environments such as Carbon, Cocoa, Java, Classic, and BSD commands, with graphics technologies Quartz, Quicktime, and OpenGL.

Demonstrate how Mac OS X keychain acts as Apple's password management system, storing passwords for apps, servers, websites, and data like credit card numbers, with access controls and password viewing.

Demonstrates how to use Boot Camp Assistant to download the Windows ISO, create a USB installer, and partition the disk for Windows installation.

Practice regular disk maintenance on Mac OS X with Disk Utility to reclaim space, defragment, repair permissions, and clean temp and log files, backing up before deleting unwanted data.

Back up regularly on Mac or Linux to recover data after loss or from an earlier version; use Time Machine with an external drive and Automator for automated backups.

Explore Linux as a free, open source operating system built on Unix principles; distinguish user space from kernel space, and understand how system calls bridge user programs to the kernel.

Explore how a Linux distribution combines the Linux kernel, GNU tools and libraries, package management, and a desktop environment to form an operating system.

Verify and repair disks using Disk Utility and fsck in interactive, noninteractive, and single-user modes, then explore shell, terminal emulator, and commands like end process and xkill plus desktop sharing.

Back up and restore data on Mac and Linux, schedule backups with crontab or at, manage LVM snapshots with lvcreate and lvconvert, and use PhotoRec for recovery.

Learn how to back up and restore files on Linux Mint using the backup tool, selecting source, destination on an external drive, and options to preserve structure, permissions, and timestamps.

Explore basic Linux commands grouped into navigation, file handling, and utilities, including pwd, cd, ls, cp, rm, mkdir, rmdir, chown, chmod, grep, passwd, sudo, apt-get, ifconfig, ps, vi, and dd.

This demo introduces grep command options for pattern matching, demonstrates password changes with passwd, and shows apt-get and app install workflows, including sudo usage and installing lvm2 with dependencies.

Compare Mac and Linux operating systems and explore how the shell acts as an interface to the os rather than the os itself.

Compare macOS and Linux as UNIX-based, secure operating systems, highlighting GUI, Mission Control, and core security concepts—authentication, authorization, encryption. Note Time Machine, Disk Utility, Linux snapshots, and basic commands.

Explore how virtualization provides portability and flexibility by running multiple operating systems on a single processor. Consolidate servers, enable on-demand resource scaling, and strengthen disaster recovery.

Compare server-side and client-side desktop virtualization, where virtual machines run on a server or client, managed by a central hypervisor via VDI for multiple customized desktops and improved security.

Understand client-side virtualization, where multiple client images run as virtual machines on a server, enabling offline work, centralized management, and improved performance.

Explore client-side virtualization that runs multiple independent operating systems on one computer. See how hypervisor-enabled tools like VirtualBox, VMware, and Hyper-V secure data and manage networks and hardware.

Explore emulator and hypervisor requirements that let a guest OS run on a different host. Assess security risks like VM escaping, host protection, antivirus, and trusted third-party VM images.

Explore cloud computing fundamentals, including private, public, and hybrid clouds, virtualization, and on-demand provisioning of virtual processors, storage, and networks.

Explore how Azure cloud services deliver compute, storage, data, networking, and apps with pay-as-you-go elasticity, via the Azure portal, pricing calculator, and subscriptions.

Explore cloud computing's five characteristics—on-demand self-service, broad network access, resource pooling, rapid elasticity, and measured service—enabled by automation, virtualization, and metered usage.

Discover public, private, community, and hybrid clouds, and learn how virtualization and resource pools support on-demand resources, isolation, and a consistent experience with high availability and disaster recovery.

Examine cloud providers' software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service, development as a service, desktop as a service, and backend as a service.

Learn how client-side virtualization uses a VMM and hypervisors to run multiple operating systems on one machine, with on-demand cloud resources and the SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS service models.

Explore how web servers use http to serve pages, translate names with DNS, and manage cookies and ports like 80, with examples such as Apache, Nginx, and IIS.

Understand how a file server provides centralized access to files and network applications via NAS devices, with NTFS disk quotas, indexing services, and the advantages of centralized storage.

Operate printers remotely using a print server—software, device, or computer—enabling centralized queue management, status visibility, and remote administration via WMI and print provider.

Enable dhcp (dynamic host control protocol) on Windows Server 2012 R2 and install the dhcp server role to automatically assign IP addresses from a range.

Enable DNS on Windows Server 2012 R2 by using Server Manager to add the DNS server role, install with role-based options, and review Active Directory Domain Services integration notes.

Learn how a proxy server intermediates between clients and remote servers, enables caching and reverse proxying, supports virtual hosting, and differentiates transparent, anonymous, distorting, and high anonymity proxies.

Explore unified threat management (UTM) and intrusion detection and prevention systems, combining firewall, gateway antivirus, spam and web filtering, and protection features in one appliance for small to medium businesses.

Explore how intrusion detection systems monitor network and host activity to detect suspicious or malicious traffic, identify probes and attacks, and report incidents to administrators.

An intrusion prevention system preemptively identifies threats in network traffic and enforces administrator-defined rules to block, drop, quarantine, or log malicious packets while forwarding legitimate traffic with minimal disruption.

Conclude the course with a final question on UTMs and review their security features: firewall, VPN, gateway anti-virus, anti-spam, intrusion prevention, application control, content filtering, bandwidth management, and centralized reporting.

Install and configure Windows Server roles including web, file, print, DHCP, DNS, proxy, mail, authentication to manage services and address threats with intrusion detection, prevention, and unified threat management tools.

Identify how operating system issues arise, including boot problems and missing files or configuration files, and learn malware removal best practices for Windows security symptoms.

Explore screens of death, such as the blue screen of death, their hardware and software causes, and how to diagnose boot issues with safe mode, restore point, and startup repair.

Learn to open the command prompt, elevate privileges with run as administrator, and use basic commands like ping and date to test connectivity and time.

Explain the Blue Screen of Death and the Black Screen of Death, noting no error messages on the Black Screen and common causes like software errors, faulty connections, and overheating.

Navigate Windows Event Viewer to view logs across Windows logs, custom logs, and applications and service logs. Filter to show errors, inspect event IDs, and access online solutions for troubleshooting.

Learn how msconfig troubleshoots Windows startup, manage services and drivers, understand defragmentation to improve disk access, and use regsvr32 and regedit to manage registry settings and DLL registration.

Discover how to use msconfig, the Windows system configuration tool, across the five tabs—general, boot, services, startup, and tools—to troubleshoot boot and startup issues.

Boot into safe mode to run essential files and drivers. Use the command prompt and system recovery options, via installation CD or emergency repair disk, to fix issues before reboot.

Automate system recovery using the ASR wizard, performing a two-step backup and restore to protect your operating system.

Block popups and redirects to protect your browser from malware, phishing, and fake security alerts, and learn how host file and DNS poisoning enable redirection and homograph attacks.

Use antivirus and antimalware tools to detect, block, and remove viruses and malware. Explore the terminal for fast commands and learn about system restore points to recover from issues.

Demonstrates enabling and disabling system restore for specific drives via control panel, recovery, and system protection, including configuring disk space and creating restore points.

Identify malware symptoms, isolate the system, boot into safe mode or a boot environment, delete restore points, remove removable media, and keep antivirus signatures up-to-date.

Diagnose common operating system issues, including blue screen of death and malware, and apply fixes such as safe mode, system restore, BIOS checks, and SFC to replace corrupted files.