Functions of Windows 7. Basic functions of the OS

To perform its functions, the computer must be equipped with a modern operating system compatible with its hardware components. Today's OS market offers a wide range of relevant solutions. Traditional leadership on them is held by Microsoft's "operatives", and one of the most successful products for today is Windows 7. What was Microsoft's leadership factor in the OS market? What features does the modern user give to Windows 7?

The concept of an operating system

What is the operating system? What are the main functions of the OS? According to a common definition, an operating system is a collection of programs and applications that create a basic environment for using the computer's capabilities. Application software - text, graphic editors, browsers, games - can not work without OS.

There is a large number of operating systems presented in the modern IT market. Among the most common commercial - Windows, MacOS. Considered by many IT experts the most popular of the free - Linux. It is noteworthy that its modifications are much larger than the versions of commercial operating systems.

Operating system functions

There are specific OS functions. Modern IT-specialists prefer to allocate the following basic.

First, it is the organization of the exchange of digital data between the PC and peripheral devices such as disks, printers, network resources, etc. Secondly, OS functions consist in providing user management procedures for files (or in automatic mode). Thirdly, operating systems are responsible for the correct launch and execution of programs. Fourth, the main functions of the OS include the organization of an environment for effective interaction between the resources of the PC and the user. Practical implementation in the relationship of each of the listed can consist in the presence in the operating system of staff resources or in its compatibility with third-party software. Which, of course, has the required capabilities.

We reviewed the basic functions of operating systems. Which brands are most relevant to them? To answer this question will help us a little digression in determining the needs of modern users. OS manufacturers can offer a wide range of solutions. The question is whether they will be needed by software users.

What do modern users need?

What are the needs of modern PC users? How can they be satisfied with the functions and purpose of the OS that are present on the software market today? First of all, it is convenient, and especially important, secure Internet access, as well as the organization of PC operation in local computer networks. The next set of needs of PC owners today is connected with multimedia capabilities. The operating system must either contain standard, pre-installed samples of application software of the appropriate designation, or be compatible with third-party programs.

Modern users are people who want to minimize the time costs associated with setting up and ensuring the stable operation of computers. It is important, in this connection, what functions the OS performs in the automatic mode, without the participation of the PC owner. Ideally, connecting devices and installing programs should occur with a minimum of user time.

One of the modern trends of the IT industry in the aspect of interaction between software developers and their customers is the minimal interface. The modern user wants to see on the screen only the most necessary options. This applies to both application software and operating systems. If the nature of the software implies multifunctionality, as in the case of the OS, then its manufacturer must lay the elements of flexible options in the interfaces. To (in the event that there are unnecessary OS functions on the screen), the user could unplug them at any time.

Windows - the most functional OS?

The most widespread in the world was the Windows operating system from Microsoft. Many experts attribute this to the fact that the functions of Windows and its capabilities are best adapted to the needs of modern users. In addition, the practical use of the relevant options is sufficiently simplified. The user does not need to be an IT expert in order, for example, to connect the printer to a PC or install a program.

This advantageously distinguishes Windows from many competing operating systems, which, in principle, can not be much inferior to it in capabilities. For example, the functions of Linux OS as a whole also meet the needs of modern users. However, their involvement often requires PC owners to have the skills inherent in IT professionals. Automation of the processes of installing programs and connecting devices in the Linux OS is not as strongly developed as in Windows. In many cases, the user has to make adjustments to the installation of the corresponding software or drivers manually.

Actually, in Windows interfaces almost everything that we discussed above, realizing the needs of modern users, is realized.

Due to the above and a number of other reasons (in particular those that are of a marketing nature), Windows has become the most popular OS in the world. To date, several versions of this operating system have been consistently released. One of the newest is Windows 7. The functions of the OS from Mirosoft in this version are presented in the widest variety. Let's study the main ones.

Work with computer networks and the Internet

Windows 7 has developed communication capabilities. In this case, they are easy to use even for unprepared users. There are no problems with connecting to the Internet through most of the available communication channels today - via modem, Wi-Fi or Ethernet cable. In addition, according to many IT experts, in the 7th version of Windows, the algorithms of network security are well developed . There are also regular traffic filtering modules for unwanted connections.

When creating a network, it is possible to activate a function such as the Windows Domain. It is a software algorithm that establishes uniform rules and standards for the operation of computers that are integrated into one network. This option is most useful for corporate users.

Convenient search

According to many IT professionals, among the most notable features of Windows 7 - a new file search system. First of all, we can note the improvement of the corresponding interface, in comparison with previous versions of the OS. In particular, after the system performs a search, its results will be displayed not simply as file names, but also supplemented with information about their contents. Also there is a function for arranging the found files based on their best fit to the specified criteria. You can also note that the search functions of Windows are characterized by the ability to use a large number of filters.

Security

Above we noted the fact that the operating system in question is relatively well developed algorithms to protect your PC from unwanted network connections. However, apart from this possibility, there are other OS functions implemented in Windows 7 in terms of security. The BitLocker encryption algorithm deserves special attention. Note that for the first time it was implemented in the previous version of the operating system - Vista. However, its capabilities in the new OS have been improved. The BitLocker algorithm is designed to protect files located on the disk - full-time or portable (including flash drives). Features of its implementation in Windows 7 make it possible to read protected files and in earlier versions of the OS - Vista or XP.

Another algorithm for ensuring the security of files is the EFS system. It also allows you to encrypt data on disks. The level of its protection is estimated by experts as very high. In general, many IT specialists note that the security aspect of data access in Windows 7 is implemented to the highest degree qualitatively.

Compatibility Mode

Windows 7 features include an option such as compatibility mode with earlier versions of the operating system. Why do you need this opportunity? The fact is that many programs created in the past years can not work correctly in the environments in which the 7th version of Windows functions. To run them you need earlier OSes. However, when they are not available, Windows 7 can offer the user an alternative in the form of compatibility mode.

His work is based on the launch of a "virtual machine," which simulates the environment typical of one of the most popular Windows versions of the past years - XP. Programs can be launched by means of standard interfaces of the 7th version of the OS, such as, for example, the taskbar and the file manager.

IT experts say that, since Windows 7 is the closest to Vista in its architecture, with applications adapted for the latter, a newer OS will work almost guaranteed. Exceptions may include such types of software as, for example, antivirus software. But this problem was obvious only in the first years after the release of the 7th version. Now almost all modern antiviruses can work with Windows 7 in the standard mode without a "virtual machine" of compatibility.

We now turn to the main application options that are presented in the operating system.

Beauty AERO

In the previous version of the OS, Windows Vista, Microsoft introduced a very stylish and beautiful interface, called AERO. It is a collection of translucent window elements, accompanied by graphic effects. In addition, the structure of the new interface makes access to files and programs more convenient than in previous versions. AERO successfully combines with the basic operating system software environments under which the basic functions of Windows 7 are performed.

Its interface can be flexibly configured based on a set of effects and how to render them. If, for example, the computer is not sufficiently productive to run all the AERO options, then some of them the user can turn off.

Mobility Center

Among the most notable application options OS - Mobility Center. It has the greatest demand among laptop users - mainly due to the flexibility of the power saving settings. However, its capabilities, of course, are not limited to this. Through the interface of the Mobility Center, you can adjust the volume of the sound, network options. In some cases, computer manufacturers add their functions.

Control

In the years when Windows 7 was preparing to be released to the market, mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets became very popular. Most of them have a touch screen with support for the "multitouch" technology, when the matrix display can be controlled by just a few touches. This greatly expands the capabilities of the computer. In the multi-touch mode, for example, several users can simultaneously control the screen. You can, using simple movements on the screen with your fingers, to increase or decrease the displayed elements.

That's why Microsoft, based on current market trends, implemented multi-touch support in Windows 7. This solution turned out to be so successful that later this technology began to be included in the functions of operating systems - Windows 8, 8.1. It is assumed that it will be present in the most recent version, the 10th.

Multimedia features

At the disposal of the user OS - the software package Windows Media Center. It has a large number of multimedia capabilities. In addition, the appropriate interfaces allow the connection of peripheral devices to the computer - such as, for example, an HD-TV, after which many functions of WMC can be activated using the remote.

As well as previous versions of the operating system from Microsoft, Windows 7 - provided all the necessary drivers are correctly installed - perfectly copes with the launch of most modern games and data processing in multimedia applications.

System requirements and drivers

What hardware characteristics should a computer have, so that it can use the basic functions of Windows 7? The minimum requirements, voiced by experts, are as follows.

First, the PC must be equipped with a processor with a clock frequency of not less than 1 GHz. The operating system is released in distributions supporting both the 32-bit architecture of the microcircuits and 64-bit architecture.

Secondly, a RAM module with a capacity of at least 1 GB (if using a 32-bit architecture) or 2 GB (with 64 bits) should be installed on the computer.

Thirdly, the PC hard disk must have at least 16 GB of space (with 32-bit architecture) or 20 GB (64-bit) free.

But these requirements are minimal. If they are available, only the basic functions of the OS will work. In order to take full advantage of Windows 7, it is desirable that these parameters (for each of the above resources) exceed the above-described times of 2.

Of course, in this case we are talking only about the basic hardware components that affect performance. The PC should also be equipped with a quality "iron" of other types. First of all, it concerns the video card and chip, responsible for sound processing. As for the graphic components, they can also be characterized by a parameter such as the amount of memory. For the correct operation of Windows 7, experts recommend video cards with at least 256 MB of RAM.

At the same time, in the environment of IT-experts there is an opinion that Windows 7 is not so demanding on the performance of hardware components than the previous version of the OS - Vista. Although, of course, this criterion can not be compared with XP, let alone earlier releases.

Optimal selection of hardware components also depends on the purpose for which the computer is most often used. If it is typically office, then you can do with components that meet the minimum system requirements. But if it launches modern games, then its owners should take care of installing modern hardware components, which, depending on the requirements of specific developers of "gaming" products, should more than double the "iron" with minimal characteristics.

The most important aspect of the correct operation of the hardware is the driver. According to many IT experts, Windows 7 developers paid special attention to this component. The fact is that when you connect a particular peripheral device, for example, a printer or a video camera, the user may not have the right driver at hand. When working with earlier versions of Windows, this could mean that the hardware component is unlikely to work. But in the 7th version of Windows there is, as many IT specialists note, a large number of preinstalled drivers. Moreover, even if you do not find it, the OS has algorithms for quickly searching for the necessary software on the Internet. Mainly in the automated mode, that is, with minimal user intervention.

Stability in work

The purpose and basic functions of Windows 7, according to many users and IT experts, are successfully supplemented by the stability and stability of the operating system. While the corresponding aspect for Windows Vista and previous versions of the OS, many IT professionals were censured. There is an opinion that Microsoft was able to make the operating system stable, primarily due to the involvement of a very large number of users in the development process of the OS. In some sources, a figure of 10 million PC owners is indicated. The results of "folk" testing were sent to Microsoft, after which the functions of the OS kernel, its interface and other software components were improved.

There is feedback

It should be noted that the "social" component of Microsoft's interaction with consumers of its product remained after the release of the new OS to the market. Users still have access to tools for interacting with the company-developer of Windows 7 in the aspect of solving possible problems. One of them is the Troubleshooting Platform interface. Using this resource, the user can find the problem that has arisen in his case in the list of typical. But even if this can not be done, then when contacting Microsoft support, he can, at least, let IT professionals know what the likely nature of the problem is. Also in Windows interfaces there is such an option as Problem Steps Recording. Do not think that she and her like are unnecessary OS functions. With this kind of options, the user can send to the support service a file with technical information on the problem that has arisen, compiled within the most understandable algorithms for Microsoft IT experts.