28 Topic C: Basic Operations of an Operating System
Files and Folders
Operating system
- Recall: operating system (OS) – a software that controls and coordinates the computer hardware devices and runs other software and applications on a computer. It is the main part of system software and the computer will not function without it.
- Main functions of operating system – booting the computer, managing system resources (CPU, memory, storage devices, printer, etc.), managing files, handling input and output, executing and providing services for application software, etc.
- Examples of operating system: Microsoft Windows, Apple iOS, Android OS, macOS, Linux, etc.
Files and folders
- Folder (or directory) – a virtual storage space used to store and organize computer files.
- A folder can also contain additional folders (subfolder – a folder within another folder).
- A folder has a name and is represented by an icon .
- File – a storage unit on a computer that stores information or data (such as a document, an image, etc.).
- Folders contain files.
- Files have names and are represented by various icons.
- Filename – a unique name given to a file to identify it. A filename can contain letters, symbols, numbers, spaces, etc.
- Files hierarchy – a file system that organizes folders and files in a top-to-bottom structure.
Create Folders
Right-click to create a new folder (Windows 10)
- Go to the location where you wish to create the folder (Desktop, Documents or anywhere on your computer).
- Right-click on a blank space (don’t right-click on an existing item in the folder).
- Click or hover over New.
- Click Folder.
- Type a name for the new folder and press Enter (on a keyboard).
Create a new folder from the ribbon menu (Windows 10)
Ribbon – a group of buttons and icons (tabs) at the top of the window. It allows users to access the commands that they need to complete a task.
- Go to the location where you wish to create the folder (e.g. Documents).
- Click Home.
- Click New folder.
- Type a name for the new folder and press Enter (on a keyboard).
Locate Files and Folders
Locate files and folders – search from the taskbar (Windows 10)
- Type the name of a file or folder (or a keyword from it) into the Search Box (next to the Start Button).
- Click the matching file or folder name to open it.
Locate files and folders – File Explorer option (Windows 10)
- Click File Explorer icon (on the taskbar or Start Menu).
- Go to the location where stores your file or folder (hard drive, USB, etc.).
- Click the name of the file or folder you wish to open.
- Double click the file or folder name.
a software that controls and coordinates the computer hardware devices and runs other software and applications on a computer. It is the main part of system software and a computer will not function without it.
a virtual storage space used to store and organize computer files.
a storage unit on a computer that stores information, data, etc. (such as a document, an image, etc.).
a unique name given to a file to identify it.
a file system that organizes folders and files in a top-to-bottom structure.
a group of buttons and icons (tabs) at the top of the window that allows users to access the commands that they need to complete a task.