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⇱ Introduction to Computers | Coursera

Introduction to Computers

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Introduction to Computers

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Beginner level

Recommended experience

2 weeks to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Identify key computer components including CPU, memory, storage, and peripherals

  • Explain how operating systems manage processes, memory, and hardware interactions

  • Describe enterprise systems including servers, storage, and computing environments

  • Understand how security, hardware, and software work together in IT systems

Details to know

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Recently updated!

May 2026

Assessments

16 assignments

Taught in English

Build your subject-matter expertise

This course is part of the Microsoft Foundations of IT Systems, Networking, and Data Protection Specialization
When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
  • Learn new concepts from industry experts
  • Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
  • Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
  • Earn a shareable career certificate

There are 4 modules in this course

This course has been designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in IT support. Whether you're a recent graduate, a career changer, or someone looking to kickstart your career in the tech industry, it will provide you with the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in the field of IT support.

In this course, you’ll explore computer systems and the security threats that computer users have to deal with. You'll learn about key components like the CPU, memory, storage, and peripherals. You’ll cover how these components interact with the operating system, including CPU processes, memory management, and the role of device drivers. Finally, you’ll explore essential concepts defining hardware and software relationships for a comprehensive understanding of system functionality. After completing this course, you’ll be able to: • Identify the key components of a computer system, encompassing hardware elements such as CPU, memory, storage devices, input/output devices, and peripherals. • Describe the interaction between computer system components and the operating system, including how the CPU processes instructions, memory management, and the role of device drivers. • Discuss the essential concepts that define the relationship between security, hardware and software, fostering a comprehensive understanding of system functionality. This is also a great way to prepare for the Microsoft MS-900 exam. By passing the MS-900 exam, you’ll earn the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals certification.

Ever wondered how we moved from basic desktop computers to machines that can "think"? In this module, you will dive into the heart of modern computing. You will explore how foundational hardware and Operating Systems serve as the launchpad for the AI revolution. By understanding how high-performance GPUs fuel today’s Generative AI, you will bridge the gap between physical circuitry and the future of intelligent technology.

What's included

13 videos16 readings5 assignments2 plugins

13 videos•Total 72 minutes
  • Introduction to the program•4 minutes
  • Course introduction: Introduction to Computers•3 minutes
  • Welcome to Generative AI for everyone•6 minutes
  • Understanding the Capabilities of Generative AI for Business Functions•9 minutes
  • Generative AI - Under the hood•8 minutes
  • The potential pitfalls and shortcomings of GEN AI•6 minutes
  • Threat landscape overview•5 minutes
  • Linked threats•5 minutes
  • What is a computer and what is inside it?•5 minutes
  • How does a computer operate?•6 minutes
  • What is an operating system and what does it do?•5 minutes
  • Popular operating systems•7 minutes
  • Module summary: Introduction to computers and operating systems•4 minutes
16 readings•Total 165 minutes
  • Course syllabus: Introduction to Computers•10 minutes
  • How to be successful in this course•10 minutes
  • Skills measured: Exam MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals•10 minutes
  • Generative AI Terminology•10 minutes
  • Generative AI in Business•10 minutes
  • Threat stats•10 minutes
  • Exercise: Explaining the threat landscape•30 minutes
  • Exemplar: Explaining the threat landscape•10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Threat landscape •5 minutes
  • Hardware versus software•10 minutes
  • Monitors and graphics cards: How visuals come to life•10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Introduction to computing devices•5 minutes
  • Types of operating systems•10 minutes
  • Proprietary and open-source software•10 minutes
  • Types of software: System, application and utility•10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Operating systems•5 minutes
5 assignments•Total 90 minutes
  • Module quiz: Operating systems•30 minutes
  • Mastering Generative AI Architectures and Applications•15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Decoding the threat landscape: An IT perspective•15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Introduction to computing devices•15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Operating systems•15 minutes
2 plugins•Total 20 minutes
  • Activity: Computer component match-up•10 minutes
  • Activity: Software type matching challenge•10 minutes

Behind every great tech company is a rock-solid infrastructure. In this module, you will master the backbone of the digital world: servers, storage, and backups. You will take control of on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, learning to protect data like a pro. By the end of this module, you will be equipped to lead strategic Patch Management and build the "Business Continuity" plans that keep global enterprises running, no matter what.

What's included

7 videos9 readings4 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

7 videos•Total 37 minutes
  • Infrastructure and Servers•6 minutes
  • Risk mitigation: Backup frequency•6 minutes
  • What are computing environments?•6 minutes
  • Security in computing environments•6 minutes
  • What is maintenance and patching?•6 minutes
  • Patch management: pros, cons, and challenges•4 minutes
  • Module summary: Enterprise systems and security•5 minutes
9 readings•Total 80 minutes
  • Types of servers, storage, and backups•10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Servers, storage and backup•5 minutes
  • Traditional versus cloud computing environments•10 minutes
  • Security in computing environments in depth•10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Computing environments•5 minutes
  • Types of maintenance•10 minutes
  • Optimizing your computer's performance•10 minutes
  • Vulnerability management•10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Maintenance and patches•10 minutes
4 assignments•Total 75 minutes
  • Module quiz: Enterprise systems and security•30 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Servers, storage and backups•15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Computing environments•15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Maintenance and patching•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Storage and security needs for enterprise versus home users•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 10 minutes
  • Activity: Environment Characteristics Match-Up•10 minutes

Get ready to step into the engine room of modern business operations. You will explore the powerful tools that keep teams connected and data moving, from Enterprise Messaging to complex Data Warehousing. You will discover how backend Business Intelligence (BI) functions turn raw information into winning strategies. This is where you learn to navigate the cloud-based ecosystems that define the 2026 workplace.

What's included

9 videos10 readings5 assignments1 discussion prompt

9 videos•Total 43 minutes
  • What is business software?•5 minutes
  • A day in the life of a business computer•5 minutes
  • How email changed the world•5 minutes
  • Email app functions•5 minutes
  • Growing your knowledge on storage •5 minutes
  • Processing data •4 minutes
  • Machine Learning and data•5 minutes
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning•4 minutes
  • Module Summary: Business systems applications•5 minutes
10 readings•Total 100 minutes
  • Common business software•10 minutes
  • Dealing with limitations•10 minutes
  • Cloud solutions for hardware limitations•10 minutes
  • Computers under pressure•10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Business software•10 minutes
  • Email security functions•10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Email apps•10 minutes
  • Data warehousing and data lakes  •10 minutes
  • Machine learning in action•10 minutes
  • Additional resources: Storage solutions•10 minutes
5 assignments•Total 85 minutes
  • Module quiz: Business systems applications•30 minutes
  • Activity: Practical solutions to hardware and software limitations•10 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Business software•15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Email apps•15 minutes
  • Knowledge check: Storage solutions•15 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Have you ever received spam or malicious emails? What was your experience?•10 minutes

It’s time to bring it all together and prove what you can do! In this final capstone module, you will synthesize everything you’ve learned about hardware, cloud, and AI into one cohesive vision. You will take on the role of a lead architect, designing a comprehensive system solution from the ground up. This is your opportunity to show that you can solve real-world business challenges with cutting-edge technical strategy.

What's included

2 videos3 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt1 plugin

2 videos•Total 7 minutes
  • Course recap: Introduction to Computing•5 minutes
  • Congratulations•2 minutes
3 readings•Total 50 minutes
  • About the final project and assessment•10 minutes
  • Exercise: Designing a business computer setup•30 minutes
  • Next steps•10 minutes
2 assignments•Total 120 minutes
  • Self-review: Designing a business computer setup•30 minutes
  • Course quiz•90 minutes
1 discussion prompt•Total 10 minutes
  • Reflect on learning•10 minutes
1 plugin•Total 15 minutes
  • Exemplar: Designing a business computer setup•15 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

This program is for you:

· If you are interested in the field of Information Technology or just beginning to work in IT support-related roles.

· If you want to switch or start a career in the field of Information Technology (IT).

· If you already work in IT support, earning a Microsoft IT Support Specialist certificate can help advance your career or help you address gaps in your knowledge, skills, and abilities.

You don’t need any background knowledge to take this Professional Certificate. Whether you’re just starting out or a professional in a relevant field, this program can be the right fit for you.

The role of an IT support specialist includes technical skills such as conducting regular network assessments and assessing, testing, and upgrading an organization's network systems.

This role also includes problem-solving skills needed to identify and resolve hardware and software issues. guiding users through troubleshooting steps and providing training on the usage of new software and hardware, such as upgraded email systems and external hard drives.

An IT support specialist collaborates with clients and colleagues; therefore, effective communication is crucial for IT support specialists.

Qualify for in-demand job titles:

· Entry-level IT Support Specialist or IT Support Professional

· Help Desk Technician

· Technical support specialist

· Network Support Specialist 

· Systems Administrator

This course is completely online. You can access your lessons, readings, and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Yes. We highly recommend taking the courses of each certificate program in the order they are presented. The content in the courses builds on information from earlier courses. The final course contains a capstone project that assesses your knowledge of the content covered in the previous courses. As such, it makes the most sense to take the courses in the order they are presented.

It typically takes 3 months to complete the 6 courses. But some learners may go through the content faster.

When you complete the Microsoft IT Support Specialist Professional Certificate, you stand out with a unique set of skills and knowledge in the dynamic field of information technology (IT). 

This certificate demonstrates your job readiness and can be shared with your professional network.

Throughout this program, you've engaged with instructional videos, assessments, and practical exercises, gaining a deep understanding of key aspects including:

· Proficiency in system analysis and maintenance.

· Skills in software configuration and recommendation using the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

· Practice in establishing robust security protocols.

· Expertise in diagnostics and troubleshooting.

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.

Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.

Financial aid available,