Operating System & Computer Maintenance — Complete Notes with Answers

(Class 10 Notes)

A. Multiple Choice Questions (Tick the correct option)

1. What is the primary function of an Operating System (OS)?

✅ Managing hardware and software

2. What does the memory management function of an OS involve?

✅ Allocating and deallocating RAM

3. What is the purpose of the Taskbar in Windows 10? ✅ Providing quick access to commonly used programs

4. What is the purpose of using the Cut and Paste commands when managing files in Windows?

✅ To move a file to another folder

5. How can you restore a deleted file or folder in Windows?

✅ Open Recycle Bin and click on "Restore this item"

6. What is the purpose of physical maintenance in a computer system?

✅ Keeping the hardware clean and free of dirt

7. How can you optimise disk space on a computer?

✅ Use a compression utility

8. What is the primary function of antivirus software? ✅ Removing malware from computer

9. A CUI operating system among the following is:

✅ UNIX

B. Fill in the Blanks

The Operating System (OS) is the first software to be installed in a computer.

A firewall prevents unauthorised access to your computer on a network.

An example of CUI operating system is UNIX (or MS-DOS).

The pinned (Taskbar) icons on the Taskbar are used to start a program without opening the Start menu.

The extension of an executable file is .exe.

The Android mobile operating system has been developed by Google.

Unsolicited mail received from other people is called spam.

A group of contiguous sectors is called a cluster.

A list of options that can be performed on an object is called a context menu (shortcut menu).

Deleted files and folders can be restored from the Recycle Bin.

C. Very Short Answer Type Questions

1. What is the primary role of an Operating System? The primary role of an OS is to act as a bridge between the user and the computer hardware, managing all hardware and software resources of the computer.

2. What does memory management in an OS involve? It involves allocating and deallocating RAM (memory space) to different programs as they run and freeing it when the program closes.

3. What is the function of the File System in an OS? It organises, stores, names, and manages files and folders on the storage device so data can be easily found and used.

4. In a GUI, what is a window used for?

A window is a rectangular area on the screen used to display a program, folder, or file so the user can view and work with it.

5. What is the purpose of opening the Recycle Bin window?

It is used to view, restore, or permanently delete files and folders that have been deleted from the computer.

6. What does physical maintenance of a computer focus on?

It focuses on keeping the hardware clean and free of dust and dirt, such as cleaning the keyboard, monitor, mouse, and CPU vents.

7. What is the main function of antivirus software?

It detects, prevents, and removes malware (like viruses, worms, and Trojans) from a computer.

8. How can you optimise disk space on a computer?

By deleting unwanted/temporary files, emptying the Recycle Bin, uninstalling unused programs, and using a compression utility.

D. Short Answer Type Questions

1. What is the purpose of a maintenance schedule for a computer?

A maintenance schedule ensures that important upkeep tasks — such as scanning for viruses, cleaning temporary files, updating software, and checking hardware — are performed regularly at fixed intervals. This helps the computer run smoothly, prevents sudden breakdowns, and increases the lifespan of the system.

2. How can malware enter a computer through removable media?

When an infected USB drive, external hard disk, CD, or memory card is connected to a computer, the malware present on it can automatically copy itself onto the system, especially if Autorun is enabled or the user opens an infected file from that device.

3. What are the indications of a malware infection on a computer?

Common signs include: the computer running slower than usual, programs crashing or freezing frequently, unexpected pop-up ads, missing or corrupted files, the system restarting on its own, and unusually high internet or disk usage.

4. How can you remove temporary files from a Windows computer?

You can remove temporary files by opening Disk Cleanup (search it in the Start menu), selecting the drive to clean, checking the "Temporary files" option, and clicking OK/Clean up System Files to delete them.

5. What role does a compression utility play in computer maintenance?

A compression utility reduces the size of files and folders by compressing them into a smaller ZIP/RAR format. This saves disk space, makes files easier to transfer or email, and helps keep storage organised.

6. What does software maintenance involve in a computer system?

Software maintenance involves regularly updating the OS and applications, installing security patches, running antivirus scans, removing unused/unwanted programs, and cleaning up temporary files to keep the system secure and efficient.

7. How can you check and remove unwanted files to free up disk space on your computer?

You can use the built-in Disk Cleanup tool to scan the drive for unwanted files (temporary files, Recycle Bin items, downloaded program files, etc.), review the list, select the categories to remove, and click OK to delete them and free up space.

E. Long Answer Type Questions

1. Explain the role of memory management in an Operating System.

Memory management is one of the most important functions of an Operating System. Whenever a program is opened, the OS allocates a portion of the computer's RAM (Random Access Memory) to that program so it can run. As soon as the program is closed, the OS deallocates (frees up) that memory so it can be used by other programs.

The OS keeps track of which parts of memory are being used and by which program, and which parts are free. It also prevents one program from accidentally using memory that belongs to another program, which keeps the system stable. In systems that run many programs at once (multitasking), the OS uses techniques such as virtual memory to make it seem like there is more memory available than physically exists, by temporarily using hard disk space as extra memory. Good memory management ensures the computer runs smoothly, prevents crashes, and allows multiple applications to work at the same time without conflict.

2. Explain the process of restoring a deleted file from the Recycle Bin in Windows.

When a file or folder is deleted from a Windows computer, it is not permanently erased immediately — instead, it is moved to the Recycle Bin, which acts like a temporary storage area for deleted items. To restore a deleted file:

Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop to open it.

Locate the file or folder that you want to restore.

Right-click on the selected file/folder.

Click on "Restore" from the menu that appears.

The file or folder will automatically be moved back to its original location on the computer.

If the Recycle Bin has been emptied, however, the file cannot be restored this way and special data-recovery software may be needed. This feature is very useful as it protects users from accidentally losing important files.

3. How does physical maintenance contribute to the smooth functioning of a computer system?

Physical maintenance refers to keeping the actual hardware components of a computer clean, safe, and in good working condition. It plays a major role in ensuring the smooth functioning of a computer system in the following ways:

Prevents overheating: Dust accumulated on fans and vents blocks proper airflow, causing the computer to heat up. Regular cleaning keeps the system cool and prevents hardware damage.

Increases hardware lifespan: Cleaning components like the keyboard, mouse, monitor, and CPU cabinet regularly prevents wear and damage, helping the hardware last longer.

Improves performance: A clean and well-maintained system runs more efficiently, with fewer hardware-related errors or slowdowns.

Prevents hardware failure: Loose cables, dust in ports, and dirty components can cause connection problems or sudden hardware failure. Regular checks help spot and fix such issues early.

Protects from environmental damage: Keeping the computer away from moisture, direct sunlight, and extreme temperatures protects internal components from damage.

In short, physical maintenance keeps the hardware healthy, which directly supports the software running smoothly on top of it.

4. What are the key steps to be followed when using antivirus software like Seqrite End Point Security for a complete system scan?

To perform a complete system scan using antivirus software such as Seqrite End Point Security, the following steps are generally followed:

Open the antivirus software by double-clicking its icon on the desktop or selecting it from the Start menu.

Update the virus definitions first, so the software can detect the latest known viruses and malware.

Go to the Scan option in the main menu of the antivirus.

Select "Full System Scan" / "Complete Scan" (instead of a quick scan) so that every file, folder, and drive on the computer is checked.

Click Start Scan to begin scanning the entire computer.

Wait for the scan to complete — this may take some time depending on the amount of data stored on the computer.

Once finished, the software will display a report listing any viruses, malware, or infected files found.

Choose an action for the infected files — Clean, Quarantine, or Delete — as suggested by the antivirus software.

Restart the computer if prompted, to complete the removal of any harmful files.