Windows Interview Question

10 Highly Important Windows Interview Questions and Answers

Are you searching for Windows interview questions and answers? Here are 10 important questions to strengthen your preparation.

Microsoft Windows, commonly referred to as Windows, is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families, all of which are developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. Active Microsoft Windows families include Windows NT and Windows IoT; these may encompass subfamilies, e.g. Windows Server or Windows Embedded Compact (Windows CE). Defunct Microsoft Windows families include Windows 9x, Windows Mobile, and Windows Phone.

1. What is the need for an operating system?

Operating systems are built mainly for two purposes:

  1. An operating system is designed to provide the interface that manages hardware and software. Without an operating system, it becomes difficult to deal with software applications, devices, drivers, etc.
  2. Operating systems provide an environment for the development of code and execution of programs.

2. What is Microsoft Windows?

Microsoft Windows is a group of OSs manufactured by Microsoft. Windows is available in 32 and 64-bit versions and offers a graphical user interface (GUI), multitasking functionalities, virtual memory management capabilities, and support for several peripheral devices. Windows OSs constitute client as well as server versions. 

Some popular Windows operating systems are Windows XP, Windows 98, Windows 7, and Windows 10.

3. What are the functions of an operating system?

An Operating System (OS) is one of the core software code/programs that runs on computer hardware. It enables a user to interact with hardware, and it can send commands (input) and receive results with respect to inputs provided as output. Its function is to provide a consistent environment for software applications to execute their commands.

To know more, visit the Official Website of Microsoft or Wikipedia.

4. What is the Windows Server?

Windows Server is a group of operating systems designed by Microsoft that supports enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.

Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2012 are two of the most popular operating systems that fall under this category.

Advanced level Microsoft interview questions delve into the technical aspects of Windows Server.

5. What are primary, secondary, and stub zones in the Windows DNS server?

DNS (Domain Name System) Server is a system that deals with name resolution in DNS. DNS servers consist of files known as zone files that enable these servers to resolve names to IP addresses and vice versa.

  • Primary Zone: In this area, a file will be saved as a normal text file with the extension as “.dns”.
  • Secondary Zone: In this zone, the server keeps and maintains a read-only copy data of the zone database in another supported DNS server.  It also provides a backup server to the primary server by supporting fault tolerance and load balancing.
  • Stub Zone: The stub zone consists of a copy of all name servers and SOA records which are used to reduce the DNS search orders.

6. What is the difference between a thread and a computer process?

  • Computer Process: A computer process is an instance of a computer program which will be executed sequentially by a computer system.
  • Thread: A thread is a set of several executable programs that work together as a single process. For instance, one thread will send an error message to the user; another will handle error signals while the third thread might be executing the original action of a program.

Read More: Top 10 and Best Linux Interview Questions And Answers

7. What is the purpose of deploying local DNS servers?

Microsoft Windows interview questions are incomplete without the local DNS servers. A local DNS server provides the fully qualified domain name and local mapping to IP respective addresses. It resolves remote requests related to the domain names on a computer network. Local DNS servers can provide record information to remote DNS servers.

8. To check TCP/IP configurations and IP connectivity, what are the two command-line utilities?

  • Ipconfig: This command is used to check the computer’s IP configuration. It can also be used to renew the client’s IP address (only if it is provided by a DHCP server).
  • Ping: The ping command is used to check the connection between the local computer and any other computer device on the network.

9. What is the major difference between NTFS ( New Technology File System) and FAT (File Allocation Table) on a local server?

FAT (File Allocation Table) and FAT32 provide security to the local users of the computer system. Whereas NTFS ( New Technology File System) provides security for domain users as well as local users. NTFS also provides file-level security which is not possible through FAT32.

10. What is Active Directory?

Active Directory (AD) is a directory, developed by Microsoft, to store objects like user information, computer, printer, and network information. The Active directory also manages the computer network effectively through multiple Domain Controllers in different locations while using Active directory databases. These databases are able to manage/change AD from any domain controllers, and the effect will be replicated to all other domain controllers. AD also authenticates users and computers in a Windows domain.

Have you faced Windows-based questions in some interview? Do you know some important interview questions for Microsoft Windows? We’d love to know in the comments.

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