MS Windows Notes for SSC Exams: Features, Shortcuts and Versions

MS Windows is the most used operating system, and SSC asks questions about its features, shortcut keys and versions. These MS Windows notes for SSC explain the desktop, the taskbar, the recycle bin and the useful shortcuts with tables and practice questions. Read it with the Operating System Notes and Computer Shortcut Keys notes.

Basic Parts of Windows

Files, Folders and Drives

• A file stores data. A folder (directory) stores files and other folders.
• A drive is a storage area with a letter, such as C: (usually the system drive) and D:.
• A file name has a name and an extension, such as report.docx.
• A file name can have up to 255 characters, and it cannot contain the characters \ / : * ? " < > |.
• The path of a file shows its location, such as C:\Users\Documents\report.docx.

Default Programs in Windows

Important Windows Shortcut Keys

Windows Versions

A file deleted with Shift + Delete does not go to the Recycle Bin. Safe Mode starts Windows with only the basic drivers and is used to solve problems.

History of Windows

• Windows 1.0 (1985) was a graphical shell on MS-DOS. Windows 3.0 (1990) became popular.
• Windows 95 brought the Start button, the taskbar and long file names. Windows 98 added USB support and the Internet Explorer integration.
• Windows XP (2001) was a stable and widely used version; Windows Vista (2007) was disliked for its slowness.
• Windows 7 (2009) was very successful; Windows 8 (2012) introduced the tile-based start screen.
• Windows 10 (2015) brought back the Start menu and added Cortana and Edge; Windows 11 (2021) has a new centred taskbar.
• Windows Server is the version for servers, and Windows Phone was the mobile version (discontinued).

Windows Features in More Detail

Control Panel and Settings

• Programs and Features lets you uninstall or change the installed programs.
• Device Manager shows the hardware and the drivers.
• Display settings change the resolution and the screen brightness.
• Network and Sharing Center manages the internet and network connections.
• User Accounts adds or removes the users and passwords.
• Date and Time, Region and Language change the clock and the language.
• Windows Update installs the latest security updates.
• Windows Defender (Microsoft Defender) is the built-in antivirus.
• Disk Cleanup removes the temporary files, and Disk Defragmenter arranges the scattered files on a hard disk.

More Windows Shortcut Keys

Folders, Libraries and File Operations

• The default folders are Documents, Downloads, Desktop, Pictures, Music and Videos.
• Copy keeps the original file; Cut and paste (move) moves the file to a new place.
• Properties show the size, type, date and the location of a file.
• Hidden files are not shown until the option is turned on in the View settings.
• Compress (zip) reduces the size of the files; Extract opens them.
• The clipboard temporarily stores the cut or the copied item.
• A read-only file can be opened but not changed.
• A root directory is the main folder of a drive, such as C:\.

Important Questions Explained

Question 1: Where do the deleted files go in Windows?
Answer: To the Recycle Bin, from where they can be restored.

Question 2: Which shortcut permanently deletes a file?
Answer: Shift + Delete.

Question 3: Which key combination opens the Task Manager directly?
Answer: Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

Question 4: Which shortcut shows the desktop?
Answer: Windows + D.

Question 5: Which key renames a selected file?
Answer: F2.

Question 6: Who developed the Windows operating system?
Answer: Microsoft.

Quick Tips to Remember

• Learn Alt+Tab for switching, Alt+F4 for closing and Windows+D for the desktop.
• Remember that Shift+Delete skips the Recycle Bin.
• Link Task Manager with Ctrl+Shift+Esc.
• Remember the Notepad extension (.txt) and the WordPad extension (.rtf).
• Remember that the system drive is usually C:.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Thinking that the Recycle Bin deletes files permanently.
• Mixing Alt+Tab with Ctrl+Tab.
• Confusing the desktop with the taskbar.
• Writing Windows as a product of Apple.
• Using forbidden characters in the file name.

Quick Revision Points

• Desktop, icons, taskbar, Start menu, Recycle Bin are the basic parts.
• Shift+Delete = permanent delete; Ctrl+Shift+Esc = Task Manager.
• Alt+Tab switches programs; Alt+F4 closes.
• Notepad = .txt; WordPad = .rtf.
• Windows 11 was released in 2021.

Practice Questions With Answers

1. Deleted files are stored temporarily in?
   Answer: Recycle Bin (Can be restored).
2. Which shortcut closes the active window?
   Answer: Alt + F4 (Close).
3. Which shortcut switches between the open programs?
   Answer: Alt + Tab (Task switching).
4. Which key renames a file?
   Answer: F2 (Rename).
5. The bar at the bottom of the screen is called?
   Answer: Taskbar (Start button).
6. Which tool ends a program that has stopped responding?
   Answer: Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc).
7. The default extension of a Notepad file is?
   Answer: .txt (Plain text).
8. Which shortcut shows the desktop?
   Answer: Windows + D (Minimises all windows).
9. Which key refreshes the window?
   Answer: F5 (Reload).
10. Which shortcut permanently deletes a file?
    Answer: Shift + Delete (Skips Recycle Bin).

More Practice Questions With Answers

1. Which Windows version brought the Start button and taskbar?
   Answer: Windows 95 (1995).
2. Which version had the tile-based start screen?
   Answer: Windows 8 (2012).
3. Which tool shows the hardware and drivers?
   Answer: Device Manager (Control Panel).
4. What is the built-in antivirus of Windows called?
   Answer: Windows Defender (Microsoft Defender).
5. Which shortcut opens Settings?
   Answer: Windows + I (Windows key).
6. Which shortcut minimises all windows?
   Answer: Windows + M (Desktop).
7. Which shortcut opens the snipping tool?
   Answer: Windows + Shift + S (Screenshot).
8. What is the arrow on an icon showing?
   Answer: Shortcut (Link to a program).
9. What is the step-by-step guide to complete a task called?
   Answer: Wizard (Setup).
10. What is the main folder of a drive called?
    Answer: Root directory (C:\).
11. Which key takes a screenshot of the whole screen?
    Answer: PrtScn (Clipboard).
12. Which feature runs many programs at the same time?
    Answer: Multitasking (Windows).

How to Practise This Chapter

1. Read the tables once and learn the key facts by heart.
2. Revise the quick revision points the next day.
3. Attempt the practice questions above without looking at the answers.
4. Solve a full SSC CGL Tier 1 mini mock to test your general awareness.
5. Check the previous year papers to see how SSC asks computer questions.

Related Notes and Practice Papers

• Operating System Notes
• Computer Shortcut Keys
• MS Word Notes
• Computer Knowledge Notes for SSC
• SSC CGL Tier 1 Mini Mock

Explore More SSC Subjects

SSC exams test many subjects, so connect this topic with the related subjects below:

• General Science Notes
• General Awareness Notes
• Quantitative Aptitude Notes
• Reasoning Notes
• Electrical Engineering (SSC JE) Notes
• All SSC subjects and notes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MS Windows?

MS Windows is a graphical operating system developed by Microsoft.

What is the Recycle Bin?

The Recycle Bin stores the deleted files temporarily so that they can be restored.

What is the taskbar?

The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of the screen that shows the Start button and the open programs.

How do I delete a file permanently in Windows?

Select the file and press Shift + Delete.

Which shortcut opens the Task Manager?

Ctrl + Shift + Esc opens the Task Manager directly.

What is File Explorer?

File Explorer is the tool used to browse, copy, move and delete the files and folders.

What is the extension of a Notepad file?

The extension is .txt.

What is Safe Mode?

Safe Mode starts Windows with only the basic drivers to fix problems.

How many questions come from MS Windows in SSC exams?

One or two questions usually come from Windows and its shortcuts.

What is a shortcut icon in Windows?

A shortcut is a small link to a file, folder or program, shown with an arrow on the icon, so that it can be opened quickly.

What is Device Manager?

Device Manager is a Windows tool that shows all the hardware of the computer and lets you update or remove its drivers.

What is the difference between copy and cut?

Copy makes a duplicate of the file and keeps the original, while cut removes the original and moves it to the new place.