Object 1: Operating Systems

• Microsoft generally provides in support options for all versions of Windows until five years after they're released
• Initial release of Windows 10


  July 2015
• Microsoft decided not to release a Windows 9 and went directly to Windows 10
• Goal of Windows 10


  To have one operating system that would run on multiple platforms (desktops, laptops, phones, all-in-one devices, etc.)
• There have been many updates to Windows 10 through the years, with over 12 different versions made available
• Release of Windows 10 version 21H2


  November 2021
• Windows 10 Home


  Default edition for anyone outside of a work or enterprise environment, integrates with Microsoft account and OneDrive
• Windows 10 Home


  • Includes Windows Defender, Cortana (use has decreased over time)
• Windows 10 Pro


  Business or professional version, allows remote desktop hosting, includes BitLocker encryption, requires connection to Active Directory server
• Windows 10 Pro for Workstations

  Specifically built for high-end desktops, allows up to 4 physical CPUs and 6TB of RAM, includes Resilient File System (REFS)
• Windows 10 Enterprise


  Designed for large enterprise implementations, allows volume licensing, includes AppLocker and branch cache, provides granular user experience control
• Windows 10 x86 (32-bit)

  Requires 1GHz processor, 1GB RAM, 32GB storage
• Windows 10 x64 (64-bit)

  Requires 1GHz processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage
• Capabilities of Windows 10 Editions

  • Windows 10 Home: Cannot connect to domain, no BitLocker, limited remote desktop, no group policy

  Windows 10 Pro/Pro for Workstations/Enterprise: Full domain access, BitLocker, remote desktop client and host, group policy support
• Windows capabilities for enterprise


  • Manage thousands or even hundreds of thousands of devices
  • Security features for local communication within the same building
  • Productivity apps built-in (spreadsheet, word processing)
  • Media support built-in (audio, video)
  • Efficient file transfers across wide area network connections
• Active Directory Domain Services

  A centralized database that contains users, devices, printers, and anything else that might connect to the network
• Active Directory Domain Services

  • Allows system administrators to use one single console to manage every device connected to the network
  • Requires active directory servers available in many different locations
• Active Directory Domain Services is not commonly used at home since it requires additional infrastructure to support the active directory servers
• Windows Workgroups


  Allows connecting multiple devices on the same network and accessing resources across multiple systems, but without centralized administration
• Windows Domain


  Centralized database that allows users to have a single login providing access to any resources they might need, commonly used in business environments
• Standard desktop on work devices

  • Common user interface so any support person can quickly recognize and find what they need
  • Limitation on customization to maintain consistency
• Home computer


  User has complete control over the environment and can make any customization changes
• Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)


  Allows someone to connect and control the desktop of a Windows device from across the network
• Remote desktop service is not available in Windows 10 Home, but it includes remote assistance capabilities
• Maximum memory supported


  32-bit Windows 10 editions: 4GB

  64-bit Windows 10 Home: 128GB

  Windows 10 Pro: 2TB

  Windows 10 Pro for Workstations and Enterprise: 6TB
• BitLocker


  Full disk encryption technology that encrypts everything on a particular storage drive, including the operating system
• Encrypting File System (EFS)

  Allows choosing individual files or folders to be encrypted on the computer
• Group Policy Editor


  Configuration options an administrator can use to manage devices using Windows Active Directory
• The Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) can be used to configure policies on a local machine without using Active Directory
• Group Policy Management Console (gpmc.msc)


  Allows making changes for a user or single configuration and pushing those configuration changes to all devices in the environment when integrated with Active Directory
• Upgrade


  Keeping all files and applications in place, and simply updating the operating system underneath
• Install

  Overriding everything on the system and starting with a brand new fresh installation of Windows
• Upgrade


  • Allows you to maintain consistency between one version of Windows and another
  • You're able to log into a new version of Windows, but all customizations, files, and applications are the same as before
  • Can save a great deal of time
• Fresh installation of Windows


  • You'll have to go back and reload or reinstall all applications and files
• In-place upgrade


  1. All applications remain on the system and are available immediately

  2. All user files stay in place, no need to reload or restore from backup

  3. Simply log into Windows and begin using the new operating system
• An in-place upgrade means all applications stay the same, documents remain in place, and all customizations to the Windows desktop remain
• Clean install


  1. Delete everything on the storage drive and reload all operating system files

  2. Back up all files and documents before performing the clean install

  3. Use boot media on a DVD drive or USB to start the system
• Software is now commonly distributed by downloading Windows from the internet rather than mailing DVD drives
• Creating Windows installation media

  Use Microsoft's media creation tool to copy files to a USB drive and configure it to be bootable
• You can't upgrade from a 32-bit version of Windows to a 64-bit version, or vice versa