Operating Systems: Windows and Linux Basics for Support

What an operating system does

The operating system (OS) manages hardware, runs programs, stores files and provides the interface you use. Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS are common examples.

Windows essentials for support

• Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc): see and stop programs, check CPU, memory and disk use.
• Settings and Control Panel: apps, network, updates, accounts.
• Device Manager: check drivers and hardware status.
• Event Viewer: read error logs.
• Disk Management: view and format disks.
• Safe Mode: starts Windows with minimal drivers to fix problems.
• User accounts and permissions: standard user vs administrator.

Useful Windows commands

Open Command Prompt and try:

ipconfig /all        # network settings
ping google.com      # test connection
nslookup example.com # DNS lookup
tasklist             # running programs
sfc /scannow         # check system files (run as admin)

Linux basics

Linux is used on most servers. Learn these commands:

pwd                 # where am I?
ls -l               # list files
cd /var/log         # change folder
cat file.txt        # show a file
grep "error" log.txt   # search text
sudo apt update     # update package list (Debian and Ubuntu)
df -h               # disk space
top                 # running processes
chmod 644 file      # change permissions

The file system

• Windows: C:\Users\Name\Documents
• Linux: /home/name/Documents, with /etc for settings and /var/log for logs

Updates and backups

Keep the OS updated for security, and always back up important data before major changes.

Practice

Install Ubuntu in a virtual machine (such as VirtualBox) and practise creating folders, listing files and installing a program with the command line.