Computer basics flashcards
Use a computer with confidence: files, the internet, shortcuts and fixing common problems.
Beginner friendly, starts from zero
0
Computer basicsStart from zero · 1 of 11
What are the main parts of a computer you touch every day?
Think of the answer, then tap
The screen shows things, the keyboard types, the mouse or touchpad points and clicks, and the box or laptop body holds the brain (processor), the short-term memory and the .
See, type, point, think.
Show again
11 left
Got it
Tap to turn over. Swipe right if you know it, left to see it again.
What you will learn
Start from zero
- Meet the computer3 cards
- Files and folders3 cards
- Getting online3 cards
- Mouse and keyboard2 cards
Core basics
- Mouse and keyboard3 cards
- Windows and apps3 cards
- Managing files6 cards
- The browser3 cards
- Email and sharing3 cards
Next steps
- Keeping it healthy4 cards
- Storage and sizes2 cards
- Backups3 cards
- Connections3 cards
- Accounts and settings3 cards
- Everyday office tasks3 cards
Go deeper
- Understanding the machine4 cards
- Troubleshooting like a pro4 cards
- Working smarter4 cards
- Security at home3 cards
- Caring for hardware3 cards
Final test and certificate
10 questions drawn fresh from the whole topic, about 15 minutes. Sign in, score 80% or more and get a free certificate with your name and a public check link anyone can open, such as an employer or a teacher. Not signed in? Try a practice test from the cards.
Take the final testAbout these cards
- Reviewed 26 October 2026
- CoversWindows 11macOS 26 and laterCurrent Chrome, Edge, Safari and Firefox
Checked against
Computer basics at a glance
Computer basics are the everyday skills to use a laptop or desktop with confidence: finding files, using the internet, typing faster and fixing small problems yourself.
A computer is like a kitchen: the storage is the cupboard where food is kept, the memory is the worktop where you cook right now, and programs are the tools you use.
Words you will meet
- Operating system
- The main program that runs the computer, like Windows or macOS
- App
- A program for one job, such as a browser or a word processor
- File
- One saved thing: a document, a photo, a song
- Folder
- A box that holds files and other folders
- Storage
- Where files are kept even when the computer is off
- Memory (RAM)
- Short-term space for what is open right now; it empties when you switch off
- Browser
- The app you use to visit websites
- Cloud
- Storage on a company's computers that you reach over the internet
The steps
- 1. Start from zero (11 cards): The parts of a computer, files and folders, getting online and the words you need.
- 2. Core basics (18 cards): Keys and shortcuts, apps, managing files, the browser, email and screenshots.
- 3. Next steps (18 cards): Updates and speed, storage sizes, backups, connections, accounts and office tasks.
- 4. Go deeper (18 cards): Buying wisely, troubleshooting, working smarter, home security and hardware care.
All 11 cards in Start from zero
- What are the main parts of a computer you touch every day?
- The screen shows things, the keyboard types, the mouse or touchpad points and clicks, and the box or laptop body holds the brain (processor), the short-term memory and the storage.
- What is an operating system?
- The main program that starts when you switch on and runs everything else, like Windows on most PCs, macOS on Apple Macs, and ChromeOS on Chromebooks. Phones have Android or iOS.
- What is an app (program)?
- A program for one job: a browser for websites, a word processor for letters, a photo app for pictures. You open apps, use them in windows, and close them when done.
- What are files and folders?
- A file is one saved thing, such as a letter, a photo or a song. A folder is a box that holds files and other folders, so you can keep "Bills", "Photos" and "School" apart.
- Storage or memory (RAM): what is the difference?
- Storage keeps your files even when the computer is off, like a cupboard. Memory (RAM) holds what is open right now, like a worktop, and clears when you switch off. Both are measured in gigabytes (GB).
- Why must you "save" your work?
- While you type, the work lives in memory. Saving writes it to storage so it survives closing the app or a power cut. Save early and often; many apps also save automatically to the cloud.
- What is a browser, and what is a website address?
- A browser (such as Chrome, Edge, Safari or Firefox) is the app for visiting websites. The address, like
www.example.com, goes in the bar at the top, much like a street address. - What is "the cloud"?
- Storage and apps on a company's computers that you use over the internet, such as online photo backup or web email. Your files are reachable from any device after you sign in.
- What is Wi-Fi?
- A wireless link from your computer to a router at home, office or a café, which connects to the internet. A strong Wi-Fi signal does not always mean the internet itself is working.
- Click, double-click, right-click, drag: what does each do?
- Click selects or presses a button. Double-click opens a file or app. Right-click shows a menu of options for that item. Drag (hold and move) moves things or selects text.
- What do you need before Core basics, and what will you be able to do?
- Just a computer you can switch on. By the end you will organise files, use the browser and email with confidence, use time-saving shortcuts and fix common problems yourself.
Computer basics cheatsheet
Everyday shortcuts (Windows / Mac)
Ctrl+C / Cmd+CCopyCtrl+V / Cmd+VPasteCtrl+Z / Cmd+ZUndoCtrl+S / Cmd+SSaveCtrl+F / Cmd+FFind wordsCtrl+P / Cmd+PPrint or save as PDFCtrl+A / Cmd+ASelect all
Windows keys
WinStart and searchWin+EFile ExplorerAlt+TabSwitch appsWin+DShow desktopWin+Shift+SScreenshot an areaWin+VClipboard historyWin+LLock screenCtrl+Shift+EscTask Manager
Mac keys
Cmd+SpaceSpotlight searchCmd+TabSwitch appsCmd+QQuit appCmd+Shift+4Screenshot an areaCmd+Shift+5Screenshot and record toolsCmd+Option+EscForce QuitCtrl+Cmd+QLock screen
Browser
Ctrl+TNew tabCtrl+WClose tabCtrl+Shift+TReopen closed tabCtrl+DBookmark pageCtrl+HHistoryCtrl+JDownloadsCtrl + / Ctrl -Zoom in and out
Fix it fast
RestartFixes most hiccupsTask Manager / Activity MonitorFind the slow appRecycle Bin / BinRestore deleted filesRouter off 30 secondsFix most Wi-Fi troubleSettings > UpdateInstall security fixes