Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft. It is based on x86 hardware and has support for multiple types of processors. It also features a control panel that provides a wide range of options.
Windows has multilingual support that allows users to change the interface language and keyboard layout through its control panel. However, the interface languages of installed applications are not affected by changes to the Windows operating system.
1. Browser (Edge)
Microsoft Edge succeeds Internet Explorer and comes pre-installed on new Windows devices. Edge has a more modern look and feels more in line with the rest of Windows 11. It also offers more security features.
Code-named Spartan, Edge has a light structure that cuts out much of the bloat from older browsers, and focuses on web standards. It supports inking so users can write on webpages, make annotations and highlight text with a finger or stylus.
Edge syncs bookmarks, history and passwords across computers, allowing them to be easily accessed on other devices. It also protects users from trackers with its built-in tracking protection feature. Edge also updates more quickly than Chrome, reducing the window of opportunity for cybercriminals to exploit flaws.
2. MS Paint
Since its release with Windows 1.0 in November 1985, MS Paint has been a basic graphics/painting utility that comes pre-installed in all versions of Microsoft Windows. Originally licensed from ZSoft Corporation software called PC Paintbrush, the program offers basic drawing tools and painting options.
The program features a canvas, various tools and different kinds of brushes, shapes and a color palette that can be used to draw and edit images. It also allows you to draw over imported pictures from a camera.
The program has a pixels indicator that helps keep track of the exact number of pixels in an image. This can be useful when cropping or resizing an image.
3. MS Office
MS Office is a suite of applications that have different functions. It is used by people from various industries to carry out their job responsibilities smoothly.
Many people rely on Microsoft Office to create documents, email colleagues and balance their books. Some of these programs are included free in the operating system, but others have a separate price tag.
A basic understanding of how to use these programs is important for any computer user. Some companies offer official certification for individuals who want to demonstrate their knowledge of Microsoft Office. However, there are also plenty of resources available to hone your skills without the expense of attending an official course.
4. Games
Windows is a graphical operating system that lets you navigate its virtual desktop using a mouse, rather than typing commands at a text prompt. The first version of Windows introduced the concept of a window, which is a way to display a single running application.
Microsoft included a number of built-in games with its Windows versions. Hearts is a card game that became popular among players of all skill levels, while Freecell focuses on moving cards from the tableau to foundations at the top of the screen.
You can play Windows games on Linux through Steam and a compatibility layer called Wine. Another option is Proton, which uses Wine and a Windows API to translate DirectX games to Vulkan.
5. Hardware
Unlike the command line system used by Apple’s Mac OS X on Mac computers, Windows lets computer users visually navigate a virtual desktop. It also opens graphical “windows” displaying contents of electronic folders and files, instead of typing directory paths at a text prompt.
It introduced a new security model that keeps apps, files and user credentials isolated in an effort to limit damage from attacks. It also offers hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling to offload high-priority instructions to the graphics processor rather than the CPU.
It was the first version of Windows to support the Intel Itanium architecture and offered a new semi-annual release cycle with more rapid feature updates and 18 months of mainstream support. It also introduced a new set of management tools for IT administrators.
6. Security
Over the years, Microsoft has taken many measures to improve Windows security. However, cybercriminals continue to discover novel methods to exploit system vulnerabilities and bypass security measures.
One early vulnerability was the ‘Ping of Death’ attack, which allowed hackers to send oversized ICMP packets that could cause a target computer to crash or freeze. This flaw was eventually patched, but it highlighted the need for stronger security measures.
Keeping systems up-to-date with regular patches and updates is an essential step toward improved security. Businesses should test these upgrades in a non-production environment first to ensure safety. This can prevent disruption to business operations while ensuring the system remains secure.