Week #6 - Highyeena/Tech-Journal GitHub Wiki

System Utilities

  • File Manager = Displays and Organizes files on the computer + copying, renaming, deleting, moving, sorting, files/folders/shortcuts.
  • Search Utility = Ability to search for files using search queries (such as: file_name, file size, date modified, file location, etc.)
  • Image Viewer = Ability to view/copy/print image files without the need of another program (such as Paint, Krita, etc.)
  • Disk Cleanup = Searches and Removes files that are not needed (EX: temp. files, deleted files, unused files, etc.)
  • Uninstaller = Ability to uninstall a program and all of its associated files.
  • Disk Defragmenter = Sorts and Organizes files in the hard disk in order to optimize access speed.
  • Backup and Restore Utilities = Ability to transform a file into a smaller size and send it to another storage + retrieve and return it to its original form later
  • Screen Saver = Displays a moving or blank image after no keyboard/mouse inputs have been executed.
  • Firewall = basic protection that monitors all transmissions to and from your computer to prevent hacking.
  • Anti-Virus Programs = protects against malware that can negatively influence your computer.
  • File Compression = shrinks the size of a file to free up storage space and increase upload speeds.
  • Media Player = Allows the computer to display music, animation, and video.

Management Console

  • Maintains the computer using tools called "snap-ins"
  • Computer Management Console (CMC) allows technicians to manage shared folders/drives, start/stop services, check performance logs and system alerts, and check for hardware issues on the Device Manager
  • CMC covers all three major technical tools for IT specialists. (System Tools, Storage, Services & Applications)

Services and Applications

  • Contains tons of options based on the computer and loaded files. (Common Options Include: Telephony, WMI Control, Services and Indexing Service)
  • Service = an application that can be started/configured so that it starts when a computer boots.
  • Double-Clicking a service brings up a recovery tab to find errors when a service fails

Windows Boot Process

  • Windows is able to be booted using different methods. Most common: Internal Hard Drive Partition
  • System Volume = The active drive partition that has the files needed to load the operation system
  • Boot Volume = The partition or logical drive where the operating system files are located.
  • Startup Files = Specific files that are needed in order to allow the computer to boot.
  • Boot Partition = A type of partition that contains the operating system. Can be apart of the same partition as the system partition, which is the part of the hard drive that holds hardware-specific files.

Advanced Boot Options/Startup Settings Menu

  • Advanced Boot options: Menu that appears when windows doesn't boot properly
  • Troubleshooting Tools: Last Known Good Configuration, Safe Mode, Windows Recovery Environment/Startup Repair

System Configuration Utility (msconfig)

  • Disables startup programs and services one at a time or in groups in order to troubleshoot startup problems.
  • Reduces the chance of making typing errors, deleting files, and other human errors that IT technicians may make.
  • Only admins/authorized users can use the Sys. Config. Util.