Unit Content

In order for the learner to meet each learning outcome, they need to be taught the
following:
Learning Outcome 1: Be able to identify and compare common Operating Systems
(OS)
1.Role of concurrent processes
a. Definition and examples of concurrency in the context of a personal computer
operating system
b. Identifying the implementations of concurrency via e.g. processes and threads,
communication
through message passing and shared variables
c. Contrasting the different capabilities of operating systems based on their
concurrent capabilities
d. Contrast of real-time and non-real-time systems
e. Operating systems offering hard real-time guarantees
2.Distinguishing Microsoft Windows and Linux releases
a.Common versions of Windows produced by Microsoft (such as Windows 8,
Windows 7, Windows XP,
Windows Vista, Windows 95)
b.Distinguish between major distributions having Linux as an operating system
kernel
and a UNIX-like userland (such as Red Hat, SuSE, Ubuntu), and versions of operating
systems having Linux as a kernel and a non-UNIX-like userland (such as Android)
3.Comparing OS features in common deployments
a.Comparing operating systems in terms of broad feature set and common
deployment scenarios
b.Relative cost and ease of installation
c.Customisation and configurability
d.Availability of applications
e.Security and virus protection

f.Describing facilities of different types of user account

Learning Outcome 2: Be familiar with the Windows OS interfaces

1.Locating files, folders and devices using the graphical explorer
a.Locate local and remote files, folders and network devices through the graphical
explorer
b.File Manager, Windows Explorer and File Explorer across versions of Windows
c.Find and access files, folders and devices in the Manager/Explorer interface
2.Locating configuration panels and administration tools
a.Perform common configurations to operating system
b.Start graphical applications
c.Accessing the Windows Control Panel and Administrative Tools by opening a
command shell and
issuing command line interface (CLI) commands
d. Tools and components displayed in the Windows Control Panel
e.Standard applets in the Windows control panel
3.Running common text mode applications using the command shell
a. Identification of different versions of shell (such as PowerShell)
b.Use the command shell to run common text mode applications
c.Manage running applications and processes
d.Write scripts and batch files to execute series of commands Learning Outcome 3:
Be able to set up a new Windows OS installation
1.Hardware requirements and compatibility
a.Ensure system hardware is compatible and meets minimum requirements
b.Familiarity with the Windows Hardware Compatibility Lists

c. Identify hardware requirements for the operating system

d.Check that available hardware meets requirements
e.Locate drivers for hardware
2.OS configuration for hardware
a.Installing operating systems, booting new installation, installing or updating
additional drivers as
require to support system hardware and/or additional peripheral devices
b. Configuring operating systems appropriately for the hardware
c. Automatic configuration for plug and play devices
d. Resources that can be shared by different devices
e. Using the Add Hardware Wizard
f.U sing Device Manager to update device drivers and modify hardware settings
g.Creating system checkpoints, backups and booting to them
h.Migrating user data onto a new system, to the same or different versions of the
operating system
i.Use of network-delivered installation media and systems
Learning Outcome
4: Troubleshoot a Windows OS installation
1.Procedure for identifying system faults
a.Following a thorough procedure to pinpoint a system fault
b.Using online and offline sources of documentation
c.Critically evaluating the quality of online solutions and guidance from forums and
other discussion
groups
d.Identifying problems caused by hardware or inadequate driver support for
hardware
e.Troubleshooting using the Add Hardware Wizard
f.Troubleshooting with the Device Manager

2.Software tools for dealing with faults

a.Using software tools to identify and remedy problems
b.Using system utilities (such as chkdsk, Safe Mode, System Restore Utility,
Windows Task Manager),
popular third-party utilities (such as Disk Cleanup, HD Tune, Shell Extensions,
Memtest, Winsock Reset,
Unlocker, Spybot Search and Destroy) through to complete reinstallation
Learning Outcome 5: Be able to install additional Windows OS applications
1.Installation requirements for an application
a. Identify the requirements before installing a new application
b.Identify and verify the installation requirements for an application are met by
existing hardware and
software
c.Identify any possible incompatibilities or conflict with installed applications
2.Installation procedures for common Windows OS applications
a.Follow installation procedure for common Windows OS applications
b.Properly configure a newly installed application
c.Individual standard installations for common applications
d.Alternatives to individual standard installations suchas Ninite
e.Troubleshoot problems when installing applications
Learning Outcome 6: Be able to work in a professional support environment
1.Applying appropriate safety and environmental procedures
a.Understand health and safety policy and procedures in a professional IT support
environment
b.Understand environmental policy and procedures in a professional IT support
environment
c.Outline the purpose of appropriate safety and environmental procedures relevant
to different
scenarios

d.Demonstrate appropriate use of communication skills and professionalism in the

workplace