1internet options
- general: basic display
- security: different access based on site location
- privacy: cookies, popup blocker, InPrivate browsing
- content: certificates and auto-complete
- connections: VPN and proxy settings
- programs: default browser, plugins, etc
- advanced: detailed configuration options(and reset)
2devices and printers
- everything on the network: desktops, laptops, printers, multimedia devices, storage
- quick and easy access: much less complex than device manager, properties, device configurations
3programs and features
- installed applications
- windows features, enable and disable
4network and sharing center
- all network adapaters, wired and wireless
- all network configs, adapter settings and network addressing
5system information
- computer information, includes version and edition
6windows defender firewall
- protect from attacks, scans and detects malicious software
- integrated into the OS
7mail
- icon does not appear unless a mail client is installed (ex: Outlook)
- access to local mail configuration, account information and data files
8sound
- output options, multiple sound devices may be available
- set levels for output and input, speakers and microphone
9user accounts
- local user accounts, domain accounts are stored elsewhere
- account name and type
- change password and picture
- certificate information
10indexing options
- speed up the search process, constantly updates an index
- searches browser history and user folders
- add other locations, modify to include other folders
11file explorer options
- manages file explorer
- general tab, windows and expand folders
- view tab, view hidden files and hide extensions
- search tab, disable index searches and search non-indexed areas
12administrative tools
- not commonly used utilities, used for system administration
- useful system tools, often used options for system administrators and technicians
13power options
- hibernate, open docs and apps are saved to disk, used by fast startup
- sleep (standby), open apps are stored in memory, save power, startup quickly, switches to hibernate if power is low
- power plans, customize power usage
- choose what closing lid does, useful for docking stations
- USB selective suspend, disable USB devices, save power, fingerprint readers and biometrics
- fast startup, enable or disable and useful for troubleshooting
14ease of access center
- usability enhancements, useful for everyone
- change display, keyboard, mouse, and other input output options, can change mouse pointers
15settings
- updated interface, migration from control panel
- one place for most configuration settings
16time and language
- windows can automatically set the time, active domain is very sensitive to synchronized clocks, 5 minutes of tolerance by default
- windows can speak many different languages, change or add a language
17update and security
- keep your OS up to date with security patches and bug fixes
- automatic installation, updates are always installed
- active hours, you control the update time
18personalization
- change the way windows looks and feels: colors wallpaper, lockscreen
- extensive customization, make windows your own
19apps settings
- manage installed applications, uninstall or modify existing app
- add windows features: fonts for other languages, OpenSSH Server, SNMP support
20privacy settings
- share app activity, customized advertising
- share your language, website content
- speech recognition, sends audio to an online service
21system settings
- change display settings: night light, scaling, resolution
- audio settings: input and output
- notifications: enable or disable, show on lockscreen
22devices settings
- manage devices: bluetooth, printers, etc
- mouse settings: button and wheel options
- typing and writing: keyboard and pen
23network and internet settings
- internet connectivity
- view internet status
- change IP settings, modify address information
24gaming
- xbox game bar, xbox gaming network
- chat and join games, look for friends
25accounts settings
- manage login account information, microsoft account or local account
- email configuration: specify an email app
- sign in options: PIN, password, security key, etc
26shared resources
- make a folder or printer available on the network, "share" with others, view in file explorer
- assign(map) a drive letter to a share, access a file server, reconnect automatically
- shares ending with a dollar sign are "hidden", not a security feature
- administrative tools/computer management
27mapping drives
- access a share, this PC/Map network drive
- local drive letter and share name, may require additional authentication
- or use command line: "net use h:"
28sharing printers
- similar to sharing a folder
- printer properties: access through file explorer, the settings app, or any other printer properties, share an existing printer
- add a printer: file explorer, settings app
29proxy settings
- change the traffic flow, an internet go-between
- settings >> network and internet
- define address and exceptions, proxies don't work for everything
30network locations
- private: share and connect to devices, home or work network
- public: no sharing or connectivity, public wifi
- customize security settings: profile is determined automatically, change the settings at any time
31network paths
- view network paths in file explorer, server and share name
- map network drive, add a drive letter
- disconnect: toolbar, right click the drive
32metered connections
- reduce data usage: slow network links, limited bandwidth, usage-based billing
- can modify application communication: Windows updates, OneDrive sync
33windows firewall
- should always be enabled, sometimes you need to troubleshoot
- temporarily disable from main screen, turn on/off, requires elevated permissions
- different settings for public and private
34windows firewall configuration
- block all incoming connections, ignores your exception list and useful when you need the most security
- modify notifications through app blocking
35create a firewall exception
- allow app or feature through windows firewall, more secure exception
- port number: block or allow
- predefined exceptions: list of common exceptions
- custom rule, every firewall option
36how Windows gets an IP address
- DHCP: automatic IP addressing, the default
- APIPA: no static address or DHCP server, link-local address communicates locally, no internet connectivity, assigns 169.254.1.0 to 169.254.254.255
- static address: assign all IP address parameters manually, need to know IP address, subnet mask, default gateways and any other necessary settings
37TCP/IP host addresses
- IP address: unique identifier
- subnet mask: identifies the subnet
- gateway: the route off the subnet to the rest of the world
- DNS: converts domain names to IP addresses and vice versa
- DHCP: addresses can be dynamic or static
- loopback address: 127.0.0.1, always there
38a backup for the DHCP server
- multiple DHCP servers should be installed for redundancy, will always be one available
- if a DHCP server isn't available, Windows uses APIPA addressing
- you can also configure a static IP address
39network setup
- control panel: network and sharing center, set up a new connection or network
- step by step wizard: confirmation during the process
- many different connections: direct, VPN, dial-up, etc
40VPN connections
- built-in VPN client: included with windows, connect to a workplace
- integrate a smart card: multi-factor authentication, something you know, have, are
- connect from the network status icon, click and provide credentials
41wireless connections
- network name: SSID(Service Set Identification)
- security type: encryption method
- encryption type: TKIP, AES
- security key: WPA2-Personal, pre-shared key and WPA2-Enterprise, 802.1X authentication
42wired connections
- ethernet cable, direct connection
- fastest connection is the default: ethernet, wireless, WWAN
- alternate configurations: when DHCP isn't available
43WWAN connections
- Wireless Wide Area Network, built-in mobile technology
- hardware adapter, antenna connections
- USB connected or 802.11 wireless, tether and hotspot
- requires third-party software, each provider is different
44OS platform
- 32-bit vs 64-bit, processor specific
- 32-bit processors can store 2^32=4,294,967,296 values
- 64-bit processors can store 2^64=18,446,744,073,709,551,616 values
- hardware drivers are specific to the OS version, 32-bit(x86) and 64-bit(x64)
- 32-bit OS cannot run 64-bit apps, but 64-bit OS can run 32-bit apps
45graphics requirements
- integrated graphics: CPU and GPU are the same chip, uses system memory for graphics, common in laptops
- dedicated graphics card: also called discrete graphics card, uses its own VRAM(Video RAM), high-end graphics requirements
46RAM requirements
- Random Access Memory, memory modules
- a critical specification, application may perform poorly or not at all
- this would be above and beyond the OS requirements, dependent on the application
47CPU requirements
- Central Processing Unit, processing speed and usually measured in GHz(gigahertz)
- broad measurement, higher numbers are faster CPUs
- application requirements vary: word processing vs. video editing
48external hardware tokens
- manage application usage, limit access to authorized users
- application will only operate with the hardware token connected, commonly a USB device
- often used with high-end software, high per-seat licensing costs
49storage requirements
- drive space concerns: initial installation space requirement, application use requirement
- some applications use a LOT of storage space after installation
50distribution methods
- downloadable: direct from the manufacturer, centralized app store, avoid 3rd-party downloads
- physical media: optical media, USB drive, etc
51ISO files
- optical media image: single ISO file or ISO image, files and folders
- sector by sector copy of the data on an optical disc, ISO 9660 file system, International Organization for Standardization
- mount in the OS, appears as a separate drive
52installation considerations
- applications have the same rights and permissions as the user
- an unknown application can cause significant issues
- impact to the device: application upgrade stops working, slowdowns, deleted files
- impact to network: access to internal services, rights, and permissions to file shares
- impact to operation: many jobs are time-sensitive, an updated application may require a change to the workflow, or may not work at all
- impact to the business: critical processes are sensitive to downtime and outages, a change to an application can create significant issues, other parts of the business rely on your results