CHAPTER THIRTEEN: MANGING WINDOWS Flashcards
(39 cards)
Installing Windows: What’s Really Happening
When you install Windows (the operating system, or OS), you’re basically copying all the necessary files from some kind of media (like a DVD, USB drive, or over a network) onto your computer’s hard drive. Once that’s done, your computer can run Windows and do everything else.
Two Main Ways to Install Windows
- Clean Install
Imagine you’re starting fresh — wiping the whole computer clean, like clearing off a whiteboard.
This method erases everything on the hard drive (all apps, files, and settings).
It’s great if you’re setting up a new PC or want to fix major problems.
It’s the most reliable method.
- In-Place Upgrade
This means installing the new version on top of your current one.
You keep your apps, settings, and files.
It’s more convenient but less stable than a clean install.
Moe common for home users who just want the latest version without losing anything.
Attended vs. Unattended Installations
Attended Installation:
You sit at the computer and answer all of Windows’ setup questions (like your language, time zone, Wi-Fi info).
Unattended Installation:
You automate the answers using a script called an answer file.
Great for companies installing Windows on lots of machines. You set it up once, then walk away.
Upgrade Considerations: What to Check First
Before upgrading or installing, you should:
- Check Hardware Compatibility:
- Does your computer have a 64-bit CPU? Enough RAM?
- New Windows versions usually need more powerful parts than older ones. - Check Application and Driver Support:
- Drivers = software that helps your hardware (like printers, video cards) talk to Windows.
- Some older apps and drivers won’t work with the new version — you may need updates or replacements. - Backup Files:
- ALWAYS backup your stuff before starting, even with an in-place upgrade.
- If something goes wrong, your backup saves the day. - Get Third-Party Drivers:
- Windows might not come with drivers for special hardware like RAID controllers (used in complex hard drive setups).
- Also make sure you have drivers for Wi-Fi or Ethernet just in case.
Boot Methods: How Windows Gets Loaded During Install
This is how your PC loads the setup to install Windows:
- Optical Media (DVD/CD):
Old-school. You need a working disc drive.
These discs get outdated fast, so it’s less common now. - USB/External Drive:
More common now. Just plug it in and set the boot order in your computer’s settings to start from USB. - Network Boot (PXE):
Used in workplaces. The computer connects to a server over a network to download and install Windows.
It needs something called PXE support and help from a DHCP server to find the install files. - Internet-Based Boot:
A rarer method where the install actually comes from the internet, not just a local network.
Most often, you still need the internet just to download updates during setup. - Internal Hard Drive (Partition):
After installation, your computer should boot from the hard drive.
You can also use a special part of the hard drive (called a recovery partition) to reinstall Windows if needed.
Disk Configuration: Prepping Your Hard Drive
Before installing Windows, your hard drive (HDD or SSD) has to be:
- Partitioned – split into sections (even just one) so Windows knows where to put stuff.
- Formatted – gives that section a file system so files can be saved and read.
Partition info is stored using:
- MBR (Master Boot Record) – older, supports smaller drives.
- GPT (GUID Partition Table) – newer, supports larger drives and is needed for modern Windows setups.
Images and Slipstreaming (Advanced Tools)
An image is like a frozen copy of an already installed Windows setup, with all apps and settings.
You can clone this image to many PCs — super useful for IT departments.
Slipstreaming means taking the install files and adding updates and drivers into them beforehand, so you don’t have to install those separately later.
MBR-Style Partitioning (Old-School Method)
Master Boot Record (MBR): This is like a tiny notebook on the first page (first 512 bytes) of a hard drive. It tells the computer where everything is stored.
You can divide a single hard drive into four separate pieces, called primary partitions. These act like separate drives (C:, D:, etc.).
One of these can be the “active” partition — the one that boots up your computer.
Each partition can have its own job — one could be for Windows, another for files, another for backups, etc.
Each partition starts with a little map called a boot sector (aka PBR – Partition Boot Record). It points to the OS startup program.
The “system partition” is the one your computer uses to boot up. The “boot partition” holds the actual Windows files.
MBR only works if your computer’s firmware is set to use the old-style BIOS startup system, not the newer UEFI. If it’s set to UEFI, it won’t boot from an MBR disk.
GPT-Style Partitioning (Modern Method)
GPT = GUID Partition Table. “GUID” just means a long unique ID — like a serial number.
GPT fixes MBR’s limits. Instead of 4 partitions, you can have up to 128!
GPT supports really large drives (more than 2 TB) and keeps backup info in case something breaks.
GPT disks include a “protective MBR” — a safety net for older systems that don’t understand GPT.
But: To boot from a GPT disk, your system firmware has to use UEFI mode (not BIOS).
Drive Format
A hard drive needs to be formatted — it’s like drawing lines on paper before writing.
The format must match your OS:
Windows: NTFS
Mac: APFS
Linux: ext3/ext4 (or others)
The OS setup will usually help you format things the right way.
Recovery Partition
Most store-bought PCs have a secret section on the hard drive (recovery partition) that can restore the PC to factory settings.
You can access it by pressing keys like F11 when the computer starts.
WARNING: This resets everything. It wipes your files and apps. Backup your stuff first!
Resetting Windows
You have two choices:
Refresh: Keeps your files and settings but removes all apps (except Windows Store ones).
Reset: Wipes everything and reinstalls Windows from scratch.
System Requirements for Apps
Apps need certain hardware to run well. These are called system requirements.
CPU (the brain of your computer): Some apps need a 64-bit CPU (not an older 32-bit one).
A 64-bit app needs both a 64-bit CPU and a 64-bit version of Windows.
32-bit apps usually still run on 64-bit systems.
RAM: Apps need memory to work. More apps running = more RAM needed.
Storage: Apps need space to install and save files.
32-bit vs 64-bit on Windows
64-bit Windows has a special tool called WOW64 — it tricks older 32-bit apps into thinking they’re still in a 32-bit world.
64-bit apps install into Program Files.
32-bit apps install into Program Files (x86).
System files for 64-bit are in \System32 (weird, I know).
32-bit system files go into \SysWOW64 (weirder).
Distribution Methods (How Apps Get to Your Device)
App distribution method means how you get the app onto your device.
Most apps today are downloaded through app stores (like Apple App Store or Google Play). These take care of all the setup for you automatically.
If it’s a desktop application (like for Windows or Mac), you usually download a setup file.
- On Windows, setup files end in .EXE or .MSI.
- On Mac, they use .DMG or .PKG.
- On Linux, they come as .DEB (for APT) or .RPM (for YUM)
These files contain:
- The app itself
- Configuration files (settings)
- Media files (images, sounds, etc.)
Once you run the setup, these files are unpacked and saved into a special folder on your computer meant for apps.
You can get setup files:
- From a USB drive, CD/DVD, or
- Download them from the Internet (most common today).
Other Considerations (Before Installing Apps in a Business)
Businesses have to be careful with new apps. Why?
Shadow IT: This is when employees install stuff without IT’s approval. It’s risky!
IT must keep control to avoid security or legal problems.
Impact to Business (Why Apps Matter in a Company)
- Licensing
Some software costs money and limits how many people can use it.
If you break those rules, your company could get sued. - Support
Some software comes with paid support to help fix bugs or security problems.
If it doesn’t, your IT team has to handle it—and that takes time and training. - Training
Complex software means employees need time to learn how to use it.
When updates change the way the software looks or works, training needs to happen again.
Impact to Operation (How Apps Are Installed in Companies)
For big companies with hundreds of computers:
They don’t install apps one by one. That would take forever.
Instead, they use automated tools to install apps over the network.
One method:
Copy the setup file to a shared network folder.
Use Group Policy Objects (GPOs) to automatically install it on each computer.
Benefits:
Users don’t need admin privileges (superpowers on the computer).
This prevents people from installing dangerous or fake software.
installs can run using a service account, a special account with just enough power to do the job.
Also:
Users only need read/execute permission (basic rights to run the app).
Personal settings or saved work should go to the user’s folder, not the app’s folder.
Impact to Device and Network (Security Stuff)
Apps can:
Be infected (on purpose or by accident) with viruses or Trojan Horses (software pretending to be useful, but it’s actually harmful).
Use too much CPU, memory, or network bandwidth—slowing everything down.
Conflict with other apps, crash things, or open up security holes (called vulnerabilities).
To avoid this:
Only install from trusted sources.
Make sure the code is digitally signed.
Test the app in a lab environment before giving it to everyone.
Research security advisories to see if it has known issues.
Boot Process (How a Computer Starts Up)
When you power on your computer:
The firmware (BIOS or UEFI) runs a POST (Power-On Self-Test) to check your hardware.
It looks for a boot device (your hard drive or SSD).
Then it hands over control to the boot loader, which loads your operating system (like Windows).
BIOS (older systems)
It looks for the MBR (Master Boot Record) to find the operating system.
Loads BOOTMGR.EXE, which reads BCD (Boot Configuration Data) to figure out what OS is installed.
Then it runs WINLOAD.EXE, which loads:
- The kernel (NTOSKRNL.EXE)
- HAL.DLL (hardware abstraction layer)
- Drivers and other system files
UEFI (newer systems)
It uses GPT (GUID Partition Table).
Loads BOOTMGFW.EFI from a special EFI System Partition.
Still uses BCD to know which OS to load.
Then loads WINLOAD.EFI, which gets the OS going just like above.
Boot Recovery Tools (If Your PC Won’t Start)
If Windows doesn’t boot right:
It’ll try to bring up the Advanced Boot Options menu.
You can also access it manually:
On BIOS systems, press F8 during startup.
On UEFI, hold SHIFT and click Restart.
From the menu, you can:
Choose Safe Mode (press F4), which loads just the basics.
Access tools like System Restore, chkdsk, or antivirus scans to fix things.
WinRE and Startup Repair
If your computer won’t start up (boot), you can use something called Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). Think of it like a built-in emergency room for your PC.
To get into this recovery mode:
You can boot from:
A Windows product disk (the installation DVD or USB).
A repair disk (a disk you can make before things go wrong).
A recovery partition (a hidden part of your hard drive just for fixing the system).
You might have to go into your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings first to tell it to boot from the DVD or USB before your normal hard drive.
Once you get into WinRE, click:
Troubleshoot > Advanced Options
From here, you can:
Run Startup Repair – this tries to fix boot files if they’re messed up.
Use System Restore – go back in time to when things were working.
Restore from a system image – like putting your PC back to how it was when you took a full backup.
Run Command Prompt – where you can type powerful
