Was reading this earlier today. I have a feeling what Windows does "behind the scenes" will become even more interesting to me once I start to understand it better.
Personally, I get a huge rush out of finally understanding any underlying OS mechanism which has seemed mysterious and "magic" for a long time. Everyone is different, of course, and I find the code and the architecture far more fascinating than the "skinning" and customisation ... who cares what the start button looks like! The interesting part is how it "knows" to light up when you hover over it with the mouse pointer
A bit of both, and I think both are important. Formal education has a way of providing structure which may otherwise be lacking for all but the most disciplined individuals (I'm not anywhere near that group, sadly). After-hours study done out of personal interest is what (eventually) distinguishes a real expert from the hordes of university graduates who are only beginning their journey.
I don't actually consider myself "taught". Learning is an ongoing process, and it's the whole point of the ex3rcise.
My Computer
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Multiple machines in various stages of decomposition.
Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
CPU
Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz
Motherboard
Asus Prime X570-Pro
Memory
64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz
Graphics Card(s)
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
Sound Card
On-board SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI [5.1 system]
Monitor(s) Displays
32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
Screen Resolution
2 x 3840 x 2160 @60Hz
Hard Drives
1TB M2 SSD OS, 500GB Fast Access SSD, 2 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 4TB, 10TB NAS
PSU
NZXT C750 80 PLUS Gold 750W Modular PSU
Case
Workstation Case [Matt Black]
Cooling
NZXT Kraken X63 280mm CPU Cooler +2x Quiet Case fans
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless MX Keys & K400 + others
Mouse
Logitech Wireless MX Master 3S
Internet Speed
920 MB Down 50 MB Up
Antivirus
BitDefender Total Security Pro
Browser
Chrome (always run latest Non-Beta)
Other Info
Also run ...
Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
Samsung 10.2" tablet
Blackview TAB 8 4G Android Tablet c/w Keyboard
Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
Wacom Expresskeys Remote
Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
Shuttle Pro v2 Control
Computer type
Laptop
System Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell XPS 17 10750H
OS
Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RP
CPU
Intel I7 10750H 5.0GHz
Motherboard
Dell XPS
Memory
32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
Sound Card
Stock [Realtek] 4 Speaker
Monitor(s) Displays
17" IPS UHD+ Infinity Edge Touchscreen
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2400
Hard Drives
2TB M2 NVMe, 4TB External + various 500GB & 1TB External NVMe (also have access to spinner HDD from
PSU
Stock
Case
Stock XPS Aluminium & Carbon Fibre
Cooling
Stock - Active Fan Control
Keyboard
Backlit + Various Logitech
Mouse
Stock Track Pad + Logitech MX Trackball
Internet Speed
72 MB Down 18MB Up
Browser
Chrome
Other Info
Also run ...
Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
10.2" tablet
Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
Wacom Expresskeys Remote
Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
10TB NAS
Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
CPU
Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz
Motherboard
Asus Prime X570-Pro
Memory
64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz
Graphics Card(s)
4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
Sound Card
On-board SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI [5.1 system]
Monitor(s) Displays
32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
Screen Resolution
2 x 3840 x 2160 @60Hz
Hard Drives
1TB M2 SSD OS, 500GB Fast Access SSD, 2 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 4TB, 10TB NAS
PSU
NZXT C750 80 PLUS Gold 750W Modular PSU
Case
Workstation Case [Matt Black]
Cooling
NZXT Kraken X63 280mm CPU Cooler +2x Quiet Case fans
Keyboard
Logitech Wireless MX Keys & K400 + others
Mouse
Logitech Wireless MX Master 3S
Internet Speed
920 MB Down 50 MB Up
Antivirus
BitDefender Total Security Pro
Browser
Chrome (always run latest Non-Beta)
Other Info
Also run ...
Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
Samsung 10.2" tablet
Blackview TAB 8 4G Android Tablet c/w Keyboard
Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
Wacom Expresskeys Remote
Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
Shuttle Pro v2 Control
Computer type
Laptop
System Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell XPS 17 10750H
OS
Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RP
CPU
Intel I7 10750H 5.0GHz
Motherboard
Dell XPS
Memory
32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHz
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
Sound Card
Stock [Realtek] 4 Speaker
Monitor(s) Displays
17" IPS UHD+ Infinity Edge Touchscreen
Screen Resolution
3840 x 2400
Hard Drives
2TB M2 NVMe, 4TB External + various 500GB & 1TB External NVMe (also have access to spinner HDD from
PSU
Stock
Case
Stock XPS Aluminium & Carbon Fibre
Cooling
Stock - Active Fan Control
Keyboard
Backlit + Various Logitech
Mouse
Stock Track Pad + Logitech MX Trackball
Internet Speed
72 MB Down 18MB Up
Browser
Chrome
Other Info
Also run ...
Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
10.2" tablet
Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
Wacom Expresskeys Remote
Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
10TB NAS
sorry it took so long 