The operating system (OS) — like Windows — runs your computer and keeps your work organised as files and folders. This chapter shows you how to find your way around and manage your files.
1The desktop & GUI
The OS gives you a way to interact — a user interface:
| GUI | CUI | |
|---|---|---|
| You use | Icons, menus, windows (point & click) | Typed commands |
| Example | Windows, macOS | MS-DOS, Linux terminal |
Parts of the desktop
| Part | What it is |
|---|---|
| Icons | Small pictures for files, folders & programs |
| Taskbar | The bar (usually at the bottom) showing open programs |
| Start menu | Where you find and open programs |
| Shortcut | A link (small arrow) that opens a file/program quickly |
Key points
- A GUI uses icons/menus/windows (point & click); a CUI needs typed commands.
- Desktop parts: icons (pictures), taskbar (open programs), Start menu (open programs).
- A shortcut is a quick link to a file or program (shown with a small arrow).
2Files, folders & operations
A file stores your work (a document, picture, song). A folder (directory) holds files and can hold other folders — building a tidy tree.
File operations
| Operation | Does |
|---|---|
| Create | Make a new file/folder |
| Rename | Give it a new name |
| Copy | Make a duplicate (original stays) |
| Move (Cut) | Shift it elsewhere (original goes) |
| Delete | Remove it (goes to Recycle Bin) |
Copy keeps the original AND makes a new one; Move shifts the only copy to a new place. Deleted files go to the Recycle Bin, so you can usually restore them.
Key points
- A file stores your work; a folder holds files and other folders in a tree.
- Operations: create, rename, copy (duplicate), move/cut (relocate), delete (to Recycle Bin).
- Copy keeps the original; move shifts the only copy.
3File Explorer, properties, search & backups
File Explorer (Windows Explorer) is the program to browse your files. Storage is split into drives — C: (usually the main drive) and D:, etc.
File details
- File extension (after the dot) shows the type:
.docx(Word),.xlsx(Excel),.jpg(image),.mp3(audio). - Properties show a file's size, type and date modified.
Searching with wildcards
| Wildcard | Matches | Example |
|---|---|---|
* | Any number of characters | *.jpg = all JPG images |
? | Exactly one character | day?.txt = day1.txt, dayA.txt |
Keep a regular backup — a spare copy of important files (on a pen drive or the cloud) — so you don't lose your work if a device fails.
Key points
- File Explorer browses your files; storage is split into drives (C:, D:).
- A file extension shows its type (.docx, .jpg, .mp3); properties show size, type and date.
- Wildcards: * matches any characters (*.jpg), ? matches one; keep regular backups of important files.
★ Practical: organise your files
On a computer:
- Create a folder named 'Class6', and a sub-folder 'Projects' inside it.
- Make a text file, then copy it into 'Projects' and rename the copy.
- Open a file's Properties and note its size and date modified.
- Search the folder for all images using the wildcard *.jpg.
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