Basic ICT Skills Class 10 AI Notes (2025)

These AI Class 10 Notes Chapter 3 Basic ICT Skills Class 10 Notes simplify complex AI concepts for easy understanding.

Class 10 AI Basic ICT Skills Notes

Introduction to Operating System Class 10 Notes

Operating System (OS) is the system software that performs all the basic tasks of a computer system. It works like an interface between the user and the computer hardware resources. It actually controls the execution of all the tasks that are performed in a computer.

Some exarnples of operating systems are Unix, MS-DOS, Windows 98/2000/XP etc. It enables a user to utilise hardware resources very efficiently. So, operating system makes it easy for a user to use computer system.

“An operating system is a collection of programs that controls and coordinates all the tasks and functions in a computer system. It mediates between application programs and hardware components.”

Types of Operating System

Operating Systems for Desktop and Laptop

Some commonly used operating systems for desktop and laptop are as follows:

UNIX

It is an operating system which was first developed in the 1969s. UNIX systems have a Graphical User Interface (GUI) similar to different Microsoft Windows which provides an easy way to use platform. It supports fully multi-tasking with protected memory which means multiple users can run multiple programs at the same time without interfering with each other or crashing the system.

UNIX was one of the first operating system to be written in a high level programming language, namely C. This meant that it could be installed on virtually any computer for which a C compiler existed.

Linux

It is an open source operating system designed primarily for the PCs and laptops. Linux was designed considering Unix compatibility. Its functionality list is quite similar to that of Unix. One of the most valued advantage of Linux over the other platforms lies with the high security levels. It is a virus free operating system.

Mac OS (Apple Macintosh)

It is an operating system which was introduced on March 24, 2001 by Apple Inc and was initially named as system software, which was later renamed as Mac OS.
One drawback of this system is that it can only be run on Apple produced products.

MS-Windows

It is a series of Graphical User Interface (GUI) operating systems developed, marketed and sold by Microsoft. Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in Graphical User Interfaces.

The most popular versions of Windows for personal computers, mobile devices and server computers are as follows :
(a) Windows NT (New Technology) The first version of Windows NT was Windows NT 3.1 released on July 27, 1993 by Microsoft. It is a processor independent, multi-processing and multi-user operating system.

(b) Windows 95 It was developed in August, 1995 by Microsoft. It is an operating system based on consumer oriented application. Although, it can run older Windows and DOS applications. It has essentially removed D O S as a underlying platform.

(c) Windows 98 It was released in 1998 by Microsoft. It was produced in two main versions, i.e. the first version was plagued with programming errors but the second edition (which came out later) was much better with many errors resolved.

(d) Windows 2000 It was released in February, 2000 by Microsoft. A better version of the Windows NT OS, that works well both at home and as a workstation in a business.

(e) Windows ME (Millennium Edition) It was released in September, 2000 by Microsoft. An upgraded version of Windows 98 but it has been historically plagued with programming errors, which may be frustrating for home users. It includes Internet Explorer 5.5, Windows Media Player 7.

(f) Windows XP (eXPerience) It was released on October 25,2001 by Microsoft. It is an OS produced for personal computers. Two versions of Windows XP are Windows XP Home Edition and Windows XP Professional Edition.

(g) Windows Vista It was released on January, 2007 by Microsoft. It offers an advancement in reliability , security, ease of deployment, performance and manageability over Windows XP.

(h) Windows 7 It was released on July 22, 2009 by Microsoft. It is an upgrade of Windows XP and Vista. It does not include some standard applications like Windows Movie Maker, Windows Mail, etc. Now-a-days, it is the most commonly used operating system.

(i) Windows 8 It was released on August 1, 2012 by Microsoft. It introduced major changes to the operating system’s platform and user interface to improve its user experience on tablets, where Windows was now competing with Mobile OS, including Android and iOS.

(j) Windows 10 It was released to manufacturing in July, 2015 by Microsoft. It is a personal computer operating system as a part of the Windows NT family of operating systems.

Solaris

It is a free operating system originally developed by Sun Microsystems in 1992. Oracle Solaris, as it is now known and owned by Oracle Corporation since Oracle’s acquisitions of Sun in January 2010.

Solaris is known for its scalability, reduced cost, protected investments in applications. It is a standard operating system with excellent performance, system management and network functions.

MS-DOS (Microsoft-Disk Operating System)

It is an operating system that runs on PC and developed by IBM corporation in 1981. It was the most commonly used member of the DOS family of operating system.

Initially, MS-DOS was targeted at Intel 8086 processors running on computer hardware using floppy disks to store and access not only the operating system, but application software and user data as well.

Operating Systems for Mobile Phone and Tablets

It is an OS that operates on smartphones, tablets and digital mobile devices. A mobile OS controls a mobile device and its design supports wireless communication and different types of mobile applications. It has built-in support for mobile multimedia formats. The most common operating systems for mobile phone and tablets are as follows :

Android

It is the most popular Linux based open source software developed by Google in September, 2008. It is basically designed for touch screen mobile devices like tablets, smartphones, etc. Now-a-days, it is most common OS used in mobile phones.

iOS

It is the popular mobile operating system developed by Apple Incorporation. iOS was introduced on June 29, 2007 when the first iPhone was developed. This operating system is commonly used in Apple iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Second Generation Apple TV, etc.

BlackBerry

This is the most secure operating system used in leading smartphones developed by BlackBerry company. BlackBerry was introduced on January 19, 1999. It also supports WAP 1.2.

Symbian

Symbian is an open source mobile OS. It was developed on 5th June, 1997 and sold by Symbian Ltd. It is a mobile OS targeted at mobile phones that offer a high level of integration with communication and Personal Information Management (PIM) functionality. It has been used by many major handset manufacturers including Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Sony, etc.

User Interface Class 10 Notes

The user interface is one of the most important parts of any operating system because it allows users to easily access the applications and the hardware. It is set of commands or menus. The user can interact with the computer by using mainly two kinds of interfaces:

1. Character User Interface (CUI) This is a mechanism of interacting with a computer system or software by typing commands to perform specific tasks. Programs with Character User Interface are generally easier to automate via scripting. CUI only uses text types one after another. It is also known as Command Line Interface (CLI).

2. Graphical User Interface (GUI) It is used as an interface between program and user. This is a computer program that enables a user to communicate with a computer through the use of symbols, visual metaphors and pointing devices. The first graphical user interface was designed by Xerox Corporation in 1970s. GUIs can be found in hand-held devices such as MP3 players, portable media players, gaming devices, etc.

Menu, Icons and Taskbar on the Desktop Class 10 Notes

Let’s discuss about Windows 10 operating system.

Windows 10

Windows 10 is a personal computer operating systemdeveloped and released by Microsoft in 2015. It is easy to use social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Windows 10 will also include a ‘game DVR’ mode to allow recordings of the last 30 seconds of play, all better for the social gaming. Windows 10 interface is adapted by hardware, it is running on.

Desktop

Desktop is the main screen of the Windows 10 operating system. The background image of desktop is called wallpaper. A small arrow or blinking symbol, moving on the desktop is called cursor. There are three components as Icons, taskbar and desktop background.

Icons An icon is a pieture or graphic representation of an application or a file. 孹 you want to open or access an icon, double click on it.

Taskbar It is present at the bottom of the screen. Its parts are

1. Start menu
2. Opened program
3. Notification area

Start Menu To search for an application, you can also open the Start menu. An alphabetical list of all the applications installed on the computer appears. To open the Start menu, click on Start button. The Windows 10 Start menu has two panes. The left pane displays a list of programs. A program is also called an application in Windows 10. The right pane features tiles. A tile is an application icon.

Notification Area It is located at the right side of the taskbar. It shows different types of notifications for your computer such as, your Internet connection or the volume level. By default, the notification area shows only a few icons but you can click the upward arrow on its left side to see the other options.

File Concept, File Operations, File Organisation, Directory Structures and File System Structures

Everything you store on your computer is stored in the form of a file. File system is a way in which you give name to a file, store it and retrieve it. There are specific naming conventions for naming files or folders, like characters that can be used, maximum number of characters etc.

Files can be separately placed into groups, called folders/directories. Each directory/folder can contain related files and/or sub-folders. A sub-folder may contain one or more files and sub-folders within. This allows easy accessibility of files. Files are managed in a hierarchy. This allows you to view the files in the current directory and then move to sub-directories.

Creating and Managing Files and Folders Class 10 Notes

Creating a Folder

The steps to create a new folder are as follows

1. Double click on This PC.
2. Select the drive in which you want to create a new folder.
3. Window will open up showing files and folders in Local Disk.
4. Click New Folder on the toolbar.
Or Right click anywhere in the blank area. A drop-down menu will appear. Select New → Folder.
5. A new folder is created with name New Folder highlighted.
6. Type a name for the folder.

Creating a File

To create a new file, steps are as follows:
1. Right-click anywhere in the blank area.
2. A drop down menu will appear. In the drop down menu, click New and select the type of the file you want to create.

Renaming Folders and Files

To rename a file or a folder, the steps are as follows:
1. Right-click the file or the folder.
2. From the drop down menu, select Rename option.

3. Type the new name or edit the existing name and press the Enter key.
Or
Just select the file/folder and press Function key F2.

Deleting Files or Folders

To delete a file or a folder, steps are as follows:
1. Click the file or the folder.
2. Press the Delete key.
Or Right-click and select Delete option from the drop down menu.

Copying Files and Folders

When you copy a file or a folder, duplicate of the original file or folder is created at the new location, the original remains as it is.
You can copy a file or a folder in any one of the following ways:
1. Drop down menu:
a. Right-click the file or the folder you want to copy.
b. Select Copy option from the drop down menu.
c. Select the drive or the folder, where you want to make a copy of the selected file or folder.
d. Right-click and select Paste option from the drop down menu.

2. Drag and Drop method:
To copy a file or a folder, hold down the Ctrl key while dragging it to the new location.

3. Using Keyboard:
a. Select the file or the folder.
b. Press Ctrl+C to copy the file or the folder.
c. Open the destination folder.
d. Press Ctrl+V to paste the copied file.

Moving Files and Folders

When you move a file or a folder, the original file or folder is moved to the new location. You can move a file or a folder in any one of the following ways:
1. Drop down menu:
a. Right-click the file or the folder you want to move.
b. Select Cut option from the drop down menu.
c. Select the drive or the folder where you want to move the selected file or folder.
d. Right-click and select Paste option from the drop down menu.

2. Drag and Drop method:
To move a file or a folder, select the file and drag it to a new location.

3. Using Keyboard:
a. Select the file or the folder.
b. Press Ctrl+X to cut the file or the folder.
c. Open the destination folder.
d. Press Ctrl+V to paste the cutted file.

Permanently Delete Files

You can permanently delete the contents of the Recycle Bin in any one of the following ways:
Right-click the Recycle Bin icon and then click Empty Recycle Bin.

Or

1. Double-click the Recycle Bin icon.
2. The Recycle Bin window will appear.
3. Click Empty the Recycle Bin.

Restore Files/Folder from Recycle Bin Window

To recover a file from the Recycle Bin, right-click the file, and then click Restore.
Or
Select the file and click Restore this item option from the toolbar.

Apply Basic Skills for Care and Maintenance of Computer Class 10 Notes

Importance and Need of Care and Maintenance of Computer

Computer systems require maintenance, so that the system works efficiently. Poor maintenance may lead to system failure. Regular care and maintenance may help you detect any issues at an early stage and keep it functioning well.
Since, a lot of important data is stored in the computer, it is necessary to have regular maintenance of the computer to be done.

Computer virus, malware, and other harmful software can cause damage to the working of the computer.
A large number of files are stored on the computer. These files can be disorganised and fragmented and may result in slowing down of the computer.
Regular maintenance of the system includes installing updates, security, taking backups, scans, etc.
Both internal and external parts of the computer system should be taken care of

1. Keep the computer dust free.
2. Do not eat or drink while working on the computer.
3. To keep the keyboard clean, make sure your hands are clean before using it.
4. CDs and DVDs should be handled carefully, so that it does not get any scratches.
5. Keep keyboard covered when not in use.

Cleaning the Computer Components

Computer components need proper care to last longer. Preventive maintenance increases the life of the components.
For example, a cable is damaged, but still working. It should be replaced or repaired immediately to prevent any other damage.
General precautions to be taken while cleaning the computer components are:

• Always Power Off the computer system before cleaning.
• Never spray cleaning fluid directly on the components of the computer. First spray the liquid on the cloth and then wipe the component.
• Do not allow the cleaning liquid to drip near the circuit board.
• Preferably use anti-static wrist band which helps to prevent building up of static electricity near electronic device.

Let’s discuss how to clean common peripheral devices of computer

Computer Monitor

To clean the computer monitor, you can use a soft lint-free cloth, like cotton and water or special cleaning liquid. You should not spray water or cleaning liquid directly on the computer monitor as it may run through the seams. Spray water or cleaning liquid on the cloth and gently wipe the computer monitor.

Keyboard

Dirt and dust can cause damage to the keyboard. Keys of the keyboard may not function properly, if dirt enters the keys. You should always clean the keyboard periodically by holding upside down and shaking it.
You can also clean it by blowing it with compressed air. After this, use a damp lint-free cloth to clean top of the keys. You should never spray any liquid cleaner or water directly on the keys of the keyboard.

Optical Mouse

You can clean the bottom of the optical mouse with a clean lint-free cloth. Lens area can be cleaned by blowing air or cotton swab.

Digital Camera

Never touch the lens of the camera. To remove the dust, you can use soft lens brush or wipe with a soft dry cloth. For stubborn dust, you can use special fluid for lens cleaning which should be first pot on the tissue and then wipe the lens. Never put the fluid directly on the lens.

CDs and DVDs

Keep CD/DVD in proper case to prevent damage. If there is some dirt on the CD or DVD, it may not work at all. Finger prints and dirt can be removed by lightly rubbing with a clean lint-free cotton cloth. If the dirt is hard to remove, you can use special cleaning fluid. Put the drop of fluid on a swab of cotton and gently rub on the media.

Preparing a Maintenance Schedule

Some of the maintenance activities are:

• keep the components of the computer, like keyboard, mouse, monitor, etc. clean
• replace hardware that is not functioning properly
• keep food items away from the computer
• cables and chords should not be messed up
• removing unauthorized software from the computer
• take regular backups of the data
• ensure backups are working properly by periodically restoring or checking of data. You should use external hard drive for backup of data on your computer.
• run anti-virus periodically
• keep anti-virus software up to date
• do not overcharge the batteries
• do not block the vents
• always shut down the computer properly

A regular disk defragmentation should be done to remove all unnecessary information that slows down the computer. Disk defragmentation done at regular intervals helps the disc space to be used at an optimal level.
Take regular backup of the data on your computer. In case the data is lost due to any reason, system failure, virus attack, etc., you can easily retrieve your data using backup files till your last update.

Protecting Computer Against Viruses
A computer virus is a software program that attaches itself to other programs and alters their behavior. A virus may or may not be destructive. Some viruses erase data or corrupt programs on the computer. VIRUS is an acronym for Vital Information Resources Under Seize.
When a virus enters a computer system, it makes copies of itself and carries out the harmful tasks that it is programmed for. Some viruses get activated at a certain date and time. Viruses also attach to the files stored on the computer or the storage media and harm these files.
A computer virus can infect only the software and not the hardware, but computer may stop working.
A computer can get infected with virus in any of the following ways:

• infected files
• infected pen drives
• infected CD-ROMs/DVD-ROMs
• through infected file attachment of e-mails

A computer virus cannot do the following:

• it cannot infect files on CD or DVD, if they are closed for writing.
• it cannot infect computer hardware like, keyboard, mouse, etc.

Some of the common signs of a virus attack are:

• computer runs very slow
• there is change in the file size
• computer often stops responding
• there is an increase in number of files (unusual)
• unusual error message appears on the screen
• computer restarts on its own

Scanning and Cleaning Viruses and Removing Spam Files, Temporary Files and folders

The following points should be kept in mind to prevent virus infection:

• install and use anti-virus software
• keep anti-virus software updated
• scan all the files that you download from the Internet
• do not open e-mails of an unknown person/sender
• don’t allow any untrustworthy person to use your system
• never use unknown pen drive/CD on your computer
• never click on the window that pop-up when you are surfing the Internet

Preparing Computer Against Virus

To prevent our computer from being infected with virus, we should install anti-virus software, run it periodically and keep it updated, so that it can scan and remove new viruses.

Anti-virus software is a program designed to detect and remove malicious programs from the computer.
Some examples of anti-virus software are McAfee Virus Scan, Norton Anti-virus, Microsoft Security Essentials, and Quick Heal.
For an anti-virus program to be effective:

• it needs to run in the background at all times.
• keep the anti-virus software updated, so that it can recognize new viruses.
• run full disk scans periodically.

Scanning and Cleaning Virus

Let us discuss how to use Quick Heal Total Security to scan the computer system.
1. Click Start → All Programs → Quick Heal → Total Security Quick Heal
Or Double-click the Quick Heal Anti-virus icon on the desktop.
2. The main window of Quick heal Total Security will open up.

To perform full system scan,
1. Click Scan → Full System Scan.
2. The scan process will begin.
3. On completion of the scan, the scan statistics and reports are provided
4. Click Close.

Other anti-viruses, like, Norton Anti-virus, McAfee, etc. have almost the same method to scan full computer system for viruses and remove them.

Removing SPAM from your Computer
Spam emails are unwanted, unsolicited email messages sent in bulk. But they’re not just annoying; spam emails can also contain dangerous links or lead to other malicious threats.
By following these steps, you can effectively remove spam from your computer

• Enable Spam Filters Activate built-in spam filters in your email settings.
• Delete Unwanted Emails Regularly delete suspicious emails or those from unknown senders.
• Unsubscribe Opt-out from unwanted mailing lists.
• Block Senders Block known spammers or persistent unwanted senders.
• Use Security Software Install and regularly update antivirus and anti-malware software.
• Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links Refrain from clicking on links in suspicious emails.
• Clear Browser Data Periodically clear browser cache and cookies to remove tracking data.

Removing Temporary Files

Temporary files are created when you are running computer programs. Microsoft Windows and Windows

programs often create a .TMP file as a temporary file. Temporary files are also created by web browsers to store your web browser history. These temp files take up a large amount of disk space, so it should be removed to clear space.
The steps to remove temporary files are as follows:
1. Double-click This PC on the desktop.
2. This PC window will open.
3. Right-click Local Disk C: and select Properties option from the drop down menu.
4. The Properties window will appear. Click on Disk Cleanup.
5. The Disk Cleanup for C : window will appear.

6. Click the Check box next to Temporary Files, Temporary Internet files, etc. that you want to delete.
7. Click OK. A confirmation message will appear.

8. Click on Delete Files.
9. Windows will delete all the temporary files from the computer.

Removing Files of Temporary Folder

The steps to remove files of temporary folder are as follows:
1. Press Windows button +R on the keyboard.
2. The Run dialog box will appear.
3. Type % temp % and click on OK.
4. The Temp folder will open.
5. Click Ctrl+A to select all the files in the folder. Press Delete key.
6. A message box will appear. Click Yes to confirm.
7. All the files in the Temp folder will be deleted. Some files which are related to current open files may not get deleted. You can ignore those files and close the pop-up window.

Glossary :

• Operating system is the system software that performs all the basic tasks of a computer system.
• MS-Windows is a series of Graphical User Interface (GUI) operating system developed, marketed and sold by Microsoft.
• User interface is part of any operating system because it allows users to easily access the applications and the hardware.
• Icon is a picture or graphic representation of an application.
• Virus is a software program that attaches itself to other programs and alters their behaviour.
• Temporary files are created when you are running computer programs.