Task 1: Identify the CPU Model, System Type, Manufacturer and its speed
• Option 1
1. Right Click on This PC
2.Click On properties
Task 1: Identify the CPU Model, System Type, Manufacturer and its speed
• Option 2
Using CMOS/BIOS Settings
Task 1: Identify the CPU Model, System Type, Manufacturer and its speed
• Option 3
Using dxdiag (DirectX Diagnostic Tools)
1. Open the run command
2. type “dxdiag ”
Task 1: Identify the CPU Model, System Type, Manufacturer and its speed
• Option 4
Using System Information
1. Open the run command
2. Type msinfo32.exe
3. Click on ok
Task 2: Disk Management
• Partitioning and Formatting Disks: You can create, delete, or resize partitions (sections of a
disk). It also allows you to format partitions, which prepares them to store data.
• Volume Management: This tool can create new volumes (logical storage units) or extend
existing ones to manage space efficiently.
• Assigning Drive Letters: Disk Management lets you assign or change drive letters, which helps
in identifying different storage devices like external drives or partitions.
• Initializing New Disks: When a new disk is added to the system, Disk Management can
initialize it for use, enabling you to partition and format it.
• Converting Disk Types: It allows for the conversion between different types of disks, such as
from basic to dynamic disks, or from MBR (Master Boot Record) to GPT (GUID Partition Table).
• Disk Status Monitoring: It helps users monitor the health and status of storage devices,
alerting them to issues such as unallocated space, disk failures, or partition errors.
• Shrinking and Extending Volumes: Disk Management provides the ability to shrink or expand
the size of a volume if space needs to be reallocated.
• Drive Cleanup: You can delete partitions or reformat drives to erase data or prepare the disk
for different uses.
Disk Management
• Type “computer management” on the search bar then click disk management
Using Disk Management do the following:-
• Clean your disk
• Error Check checking
• Optimize and defragment drive
• Shrink the volume
• Create a Volume/partition
• Format a drive letter
• Change drive letter and path displayed
• Observe the hard disk capacity
Disk Cleanup
• Removing Temporary Files
• Clearing Cache and System Logs
• Deleting Recycle Bin Contents
• Removing Downloaded Program Files
• Cleaning Windows Update Files
• Deleting Old System Restore Points
• Optimizing Disk Space
• Unnecessary System Files
Steps to run disk cleanup
1. Right click on the partition you want to clean
2. Click properties
3. Click on the Disk Clean up
4. Follow the instruction
Task Manager
• Viewing Running Applications and Processes
• Ending Tasks and Applications
• Monitoring System Performance
• Startup Management
• Resource Monitoring
• Viewing and Managing Services
• User Management
• Setting Process Priorities
• Analyzing Wait Chains
• Checking Network Activity
Key Sections of Task Manager
• Processes Tab: Lists all running applications, background
processes, and Windows services.
• Performance Tab: Displays real-time performance statistics for
CPU, memory, disk, and network.
• App History Tab: Shows resource usage history for all apps.
• Startup Tab: Manages programs that run at startup.
• Users Tab: Lists active users and their resource usage.
• Details Tab: Offers detailed information about each running
process.
• Services Tab: Manages Windows services and their states.
Accessing Task Manager
• Option 1:
Keyboard Shortcut:
Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
• Option 2:
right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Task Manager
Option 3:
Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager from the options
Option 4:
Open command prompt and Type “Taskmgr”
How to kill tasks
1. Open Task Manager
2. Go to the "Processes" Tab
3. Select the Task to Kill
4. Click "End Task"
Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
• Microsoft Management Console (MMC) is a framework used in Windows operating systems
that provides system administrators and advanced users with a unified, customizable interface
for managing system components and configurations.
• It serves as a host for various management tools (snap-ins), which are used to administer,
configure, and monitor Windows systems.
• key functions of MMC:
o Centralized Management Interface
o Customizable Consoles
o Hosting Administrative Tools (Snap-ins)
o Role-based Administration
o Remote Management
o Saving Custom Consoles
o Simplifying Complex Tasks
o Extensibility
Common MMC Snap-ins:
• Device Manager: For managing hardware devices.
• Event Viewer: For monitoring system logs and events.
• Group Policy Editor: For configuring system-wide
policies.
• Disk Management: For partitioning and managing
disks.
• Services: For managing system services.
• Task Scheduler: For automating tasks on the system.
Steps to start MMC
Option 1:-Turn it on though Run
1: Press Windows + R to open Run, type mmc in the empty box and tap OK .
2: Select Yes in the User Account Control window
Options 2: -Open it by searching
Input mmc in the search box on the taskbar and click mmc on the top of the list
Options 3:- Open it via Command Prompt
1: Turn on CMD .
2: Input mmc and press Enter
Option 4:- Run it from Windows PowerShell
1: Open Windows PowerShell through searching .
2: Type mmc.exe and hit Enter
The MMC window will open, allowing you to add snap-ins via File > Add/Remove
Example 1: To remove and prevent access to
the shutdown, restart, sleep and hibernate
commands from start menu
1. Add local computer policy
2. Expand Computer configuration
3. Administrative Template
4. Start menu and task bar
5. Double click on Remove and Prevent access to shutdown, restart and sleep
6. Click on Enable radio button and then ok
7. Restart your computer using the command Restart from start menu. Can you?
Example 2: Enforcing a strict password policy(Complex passwords, set a minimum password length, and configure account lockout
after several failed login attempts)
1. Open Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
2. Add the Group Policy Snap-in
3. Navigate to Password Policy Settings
4. Enforce Password Complexity
5. Set Minimum Password Length
6. Configure Account Lockout Policy
7. Apply the Security Settings
To prevent a computer from reading USB flash
drives or flash cards
Method 1:- Using the Windows Registry
1. Open the Registry Editor:(Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter)
2. Navigate to the USB Storage Polic: (Key:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\USBSTOR)
3. Disable USB Storage Devices:
• In the right-hand pane, locate the Start value.
• Double-click on Start and change the value data to 4.
• This disables the USB storage drivers, preventing the system from
reading USB flash drives.
4. Restart the Computer:
To prevent a computer from reading USB flash
drives or flash cards
Method 2:- Disable USB Ports via Device Manager
1. Open Device Manager:(Press Win + X and select Device Manager.)
2. Disable USB Ports:
• Scroll down to Universal Serial Bus controllers.
• Right-click on each USB Root Hub or USB Host Controller and select
Disable device.
• This disables the USB ports, preventing any USB device (including
flash drives) from being recognized by the computer.
3. Re-enable Ports (if needed)
• To re-enable USB ports in the future, repeat the steps and select Enable device
instead of Disable device.
BIOS(Basic Input/Output System)
• It is a firmware component that initializes and tests the hardware
components of a computer during the booting process and provides a set
of low-level interfaces for the operating system to communicate with the
hardware.
Functions of BIOS:
• Power-On Self-Test (POST):
o When the computer is powered on, the BIOS performs a POST to
check the system’s hardware components, such as the processor,
memory (RAM), and storage devices, to ensure they are functioning
correctly.
• Boot Device Selection:
o After POST, BIOS determines the boot device order based on the
settings configured in the BIOS setup. It selects the appropriate device
BIOS(Basic Input/Output System)
• Hardware Initialization:
o BIOS initializes and configures hardware components like the keyboard,
mouse, and storage devices, making them ready for use by the operating
system.
• System Configuration:
o BIOS provides a setup interface (often accessed by pressing a key like F2, F10,
DEL, or ESC during startup) where users can configure system settings, such as
boot order, date and time, and hardware parameters.
• Firmware Interfaces:
o BIOS offers a set of low-level interfaces (software routines) that allow the
operating system and software applications to communicate with the
hardware components.
• Security Settings:
o BIOS can include security features like a supervisor password or user
Setting and Using a BIOS Password to Restrict Access
1. Access the BIOS Setup Utility:
• Restart the computer.
• During the boot process, press the designated key to enter the BIOS setup.
• This key is typically F2, F10, DEL, or ESC, depending on the computer's manufacturer.
• The key should be indicated on the screen during startup or found in the computer’s
manual.
2. Navigate to the Security Settings:
• Once in the BIOS setup utility, use the arrow keys to navigate to the Security tab or
section.
• The exact location of the security settings can vary depending on the BIOS version and
manufacturer.
• Look for options related to Password, Supervisor Password, or Administrator Password.
Setting and Using a BIOS Password to Restrict Access
3. Set a Supervisor Password:
• Select the option to set a Supervisor Password (sometimes called Administrator Password).
• Enter a strong password that will be used to access the BIOS setup.
• Ensure it’s something secure and memorable only to authorized personnel.
• Confirm the password by entering it again when prompted.
4. Set a User Password (Optional):
• If your BIOS setup allows, you can also set a User Password.
• This password is used to restrict booting the system or accessing specific functions within the
BIOS.
• Follow a similar process to set the user password as you did with the supervisor password.
5.Save and Exit:
• After setting the passwords, navigate to the Save & Exit or Exit menu.
• Confirm that you want to save the changes.
• The BIOS will prompt you to save changes before exiting.
• The system will reboot, and the BIOS password will be required to access the BIOS setup in the
future.
Setting and Using a BIOS Password to Restrict Access
• With the BIOS password set, anyone attempting to enter the BIOS setup will be
prompted to enter the password.
• Without the correct password, they cannot access or modify the BIOS settings.
• This ensures that unauthorized users cannot change critical system settings, such as
boot order, hardware configurations, or security settings.
• By preventing unauthorized access, you protect the system from potential
misconfigurations that could lead to system instability, unauthorized booting from
external devices, or other security issues.
• Ensure that the BIOS password is stored securely and only shared with authorized
personnel.
• Keep a secure record of BIOS passwords in case they need to be recovered or reset.
• If you forget the BIOS password, it can often be reset by clearing the CMOS
settings. This usually involves removing and reinserting the CMOS battery on the
motherboard, but this process can vary by manufacturer and model.
Installing a new operating system (OS)
1. Check System Requirements:
• Ensure that your hardware meets the minimum requirements for the new OS.
• Check the OS’s official website for detailed requirements.
• Back Up Your Data:Before making any changes, back up important files to an
external drive, cloud storage, or another safe location.
• This prevents data loss in case something goes wrong during the installation.
• Obtain Installation Media:
• You need a copy of the new OS installation media, such as:USB Drive: Create a
bootable USB drive with the OS installer.DVD: Burn the OS installation image to a
DVD (if using an older system with an optical drive).
• ISO File: Download the ISO file from the OS provider’s website if creating your
own bootable media.
Installing a new operating system (OS)
2. Create Bootable Installation Media Using a USB Drive:
• Download a Tool: Use a tool like Rufus or Windows Media Creation Tool (for
Windows) to create a bootable USB drive.
• Select ISO File: Choose the ISO file you downloaded and follow the tool’s
instructions to create the bootable drive.
• Using a DVD:Burn the ISO: Use software like Roxio, Nero, or built-in burning tools
to write the ISO file to a DVD.3.
3. Boot from the Installation Media Insert the Media:
• Insert the bootable USB drive or DVD into the computer.Access Boot
Menu:Restart the Computer: Power on or restart the computer.
• Enter Boot Menu: Press the designated key (often ESC, F9, F12, or DEL) to access
the boot menu or BIOS/UEFI settings.
• Select Boot Device: Choose the USB drive or DVD as the boot device from the list.
Installing a new operating system (OS)
4. Install the New Operating SystemStart the Installation Process:
• Follow On-Screen Instructions: The installation process will start.
• Follow the on-screen prompts to proceed with the installation.Select Installation
Type:Upgrade: If you’re upgrading from an older version of the OS, you may
choose to upgrade while keeping your files and settings.Custom Installation:
Choose this option to perform a clean install.
• This involves formatting the drive and installing the OS from scratch.Partitioning
the Drive:Select or Create Partitions: You may need to create, delete, or format
partitions where the OS will be installed.
• Follow the installer’s prompts to configure the drive as needed.Enter License
Key:Activation: You may be prompted to enter a license key during installation.
Enter the key if required, or choose to enter it later.
• Configure Basic Settings:Language, Time, and Keyboard: Set your preferences for
language, time zone, and keyboard layout.User Account: Create a user account
Installing a new operating system (OS)
5. Complete the Installation Restart:
• Once the installation is complete, the system will prompt you to restart.
• Remove the installation media and allow the system to boot into the new OS.
• Install Drivers and Updates: Drivers: Install any necessary drivers for your hardware.
• Most OS installations will handle this automatically, but you may need to download
drivers from the manufacturer’s website for specific hardware.
• Updates: Check for and install any updates to ensure the OS is up to date with the latest
security patches and features.
• Restore Data: Transfer Files: If you performed a clean install, restore your backed-up
data to the new OS.6.
6. Verify Installation
• Check Functionality: Ensure that all hardware components (e.g., network, audio, video)
and software applications are working correctly.
• Configure Settings: Customize system settings to your preference and configure any
