Lesson 2: Operating Systems
Week of Mon, Sep 21 · lesson closes Sun, Sep 27
By the end of this lesson you can:
- →Compare and contrast Windows, Linux, and macOS file systems and their appropriate use cases. CCR-5 MSDE-CTE-IT-1.1 MSDE-CTE-IT-3.1 FC0-U71 3.2
- →Explain how processes, threads, and virtual memory affect system performance. CCR-5 MSDE-CTE-IT-1.1 MSDE-CTE-IT-3.1 FC0-U71 3.1
- →Use basic Linux and macOS commands to navigate and manage files. CCR-5 MSDE-CTE-IT-1.1 MSDE-CTE-IT-3.1 FC0-U71 3.1
- →Configure and troubleshoot Windows using built-in tools including Task Manager and Event Viewer. CCR-5 MSDE-CTE-IT-1.1 MSDE-CTE-IT-3.1 FC0-U71 3.2
Take Meerk's quiz for Lesson 2
This lesson's items
Exact due times are in Canvas.
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Know these cold
Windows
- Windows 11 requires TPM 2.0, Secure Boot, 64-bit CPU, and 4 GB RAM minimum; most enterprise PCs run Windows 10 or 11.
- Windows editions: Home (consumer), Pro (BitLocker, Remote Desktop, domain join), Enterprise (advanced management).
- Key Windows tools: Task Manager (performance + processes), Event Viewer (logs), msconfig (boot options), regedit (registry).
- Windows Update delivers security patches; keeping systems patched is the single most important security practice.
macOS and Linux
- macOS runs only on Apple hardware; uses a Unix-based kernel (Darwin); known for stability and tight hardware/software integration.
- Linux distributions include Ubuntu (user-friendly), CentOS/RHEL (enterprise servers), Kali (security testing), Raspberry Pi OS.
- Linux commands: ls (list files), cd (change directory), pwd (print working directory), cp (copy), mv (move/rename), rm (remove).
- Linux file permissions: owner/group/other × read/write/execute; represented as rwxrwxrwx or octal (755, 644).
File Systems
- NTFS (Windows): supports permissions, encryption (EFS), journaling, and files over 4 GB.
- FAT32: compatible with all OSes but limits files to 4 GB maximum; used on older USB drives.
- exFAT: designed for flash drives — no 4 GB limit, widely compatible with Windows, macOS, and modern cameras.
- ext4: default Linux file system; journaling, large file support, and stable performance.
Processes and Performance
- A process is a running program; threads are units of execution within a process.
- Virtual memory extends RAM using a page file on the hard drive; excessive paging (thrashing) degrades performance.
- 32-bit OSes address up to 4 GB RAM; 64-bit OSes address up to 128 TB of RAM — reason modern systems use 64-bit.
- Safe Mode starts Windows with minimal drivers; used to troubleshoot boot failures and remove malware.
Quick check — before the quiz
1. Which Windows edition includes BitLocker encryption and Remote Desktop hosting?
2. Which file system supports files larger than 4 GB on a USB flash drive AND is compatible with Windows and macOS?
Meerk's quiz — open the Lesson 2 gate
10 questions, no time limit. 85% on your first attempt in a 24-hour window opens the gate. Retakes inside the window are practice — they help you learn, they don't count. Work alone; the point is to know it, not to have seen it.
Stuck?
Raise your hand. Mr. James gets a message right away and can help you remotely. Nothing else is stored — just your last name, grade, and where you're stuck.
Dinner Table Question
Ask at home: Why do you think most web servers in the world run Linux instead of Windows?
En español: ¿Por qué crees que la mayoría de los servidores web del mundo usan Linux en lugar de Windows?