Windows
Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft, first released in 1985. It is one of the oldest and most influential operating systems in modern computer history. Windows remains the most widely used OS worldwide for both home and professional computing purposes.
Editions
Personal computers
Windows XP: 2001-2014
Windows XP was one of the most popular and long-lasting versions of the Windows operating system. It was known for its stability and user-friendly interface, which made it widely adopted across both home and business environments. The announcement of its end of support in 2014 triggered widespread concern, as many users and organizations continued to rely on it. The file structure has been keept on following editions.
Windows Vista: 2007-2017
Windows Vista was designed to replace Windows XP but faced significant criticism, making it one of Microsoft's less successful releases. It marked the introduction of UAC (User Access Control).
Windows 7: 2009-2020
Windows 7 was introduced as a successor to Windows XP and was widely regarded as a major improvement. It was praised for its stability, speed, and user-friendly interface. Windows 7 quickly became a favorite among both consumers and businesses. Despite a successful run, Microsoft ended its support in January 2020, marking the start of a transition to newer versions like Windows 10.
Windows 8: 2012-2023
Windows 8 was designed to bridge the gap between traditional desktops and mobile devices with its touch-friendly interface. However, it faced significant backlash due to its drastic departure from the familiar Start Menu, causing confusion and frustration among users. Like Windows Vista, Windows 8 is considered a failure, with many users opting to upgrade to Windows 7 or wait for a more refined release.
Windows 10: 2015-2025
Windows 10 was a major success for Microsoft, introducing a more unified experience across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. It offered two main editions: Home and Pro, with significant improvements in security, performance, and usability. Windows 10 received positive feedback for its stability and for bringing back the Start Menu that had been removed in Windows 8. It has been widely adopted by both consumers and businesses, with support scheduled to continue until 2025.
Windows 11: 2021
Windows 11 is the latest version of the Windows operating system. Released in October 2021, it introduced several new features, including a revamped user interface with rounded corners, integrated virtual desktops, and improvements to multitasking. Key innovations include Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which allows users to run Linux distributions natively on Windows, and deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI) for tasks like virtual assistants and predictive text. Windows 11's release continues Microsoft's trend of refining user experience, but it also imposes stricter hardware requirements than previous versions, sparking mixed reactions among users.
Servers
Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server (July 27, 1993): Windows NT 3.1 Advanced Server was the first version of the Windows Server operating system, aimed at businesses and enterprise environments.
Windows Server 2025 (Expected November 1, 2024): The most recent and upcoming release of the Windows Server family is expected to be Windows Server 2025, which will continue to build on the innovations of previous versions, focusing on hybrid cloud environments, improved security, and integration with newer technologies like containers and AI. It will also support a variety of workloads, including those running on Azure, Microsoft's cloud platform.
File system
NTFS (New Technology File System)
Windows used NTFS which offers features like :
Support for large file;
Specific permissions on folder and fies
Encryption.
OS informations
C:\Windows or %windir% contains critical infomation and programs requires by the OS to work correctly.
Users
Each users have the same folders by default:
Desktop
Documents
Downloads
Music
Pictures
We can get these information by running the program lusrmgr.msc with Run application (Windows + R). This shows us Users and Groups on the system.
Registry editor
Windows registry is used to store all the necessary informations to configure the sytem for one or ore users, applications, hardware and devices. It can be accessed by reunnin the program regedit with the application Run (Windows+R).
Host security
Windows defender firewall : Use to protect the system from network threats.
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen : Protect against phishing, and downloading of potentially malicious files.
TPM (Trusted Platform Module) : Provide enhanced security features when using sensitive cryptographic functions.
Bitlocker : Provide disk encryption.It is only available for pro version.
Volume Shadow Copy Service : A security feature used to make a snapshot of the system. The snapshot can be deleted by a malware.
UAC
User Account Control (UAC) was introduced with Windows Vista as a security feature designed to prevent unauthorized changes to the operating system, especially by malicious software. The goal was to reduce the risk of malware executing with elevated privileges (administrator-level access) without the user's knowledge.
Before UAC, many applications, including malware, could execute with administrative rights without prompting the user. This made it easier for harmful software to compromise a system.
With UAC, even users logged in as administrators don’t run with elevated permissions by default. Instead, the operating system prompts the user whenever an action requires administrative privileges. For example, when a program tries to install software, modify system settings, or change critical files, UAC will display a prompt asking the user to confirm if they wish to allow the operation.
This system of requiring explicit user approval helps prevent malware from silently gaining elevated access to the system, significantly improving security by ensuring that potentially dangerous operations are always reviewed before being executed.
Hardening
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