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The Complete Computer Basics Guide for Beginners: 2026 (Udemy.com)

Computer Basics, Basic Computer Course, Windows 11 Basics, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Basic Computer Skills,2026

4.4
1,531 reviews

Created by: Sarmad Jadoon

Last updated February 2026

Our take

Based on the ratings of 1,531 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in February 2026. No course pays to be reviewed.

Sarmad Jadoon's course is closer to a school computer-fundamentals class than a how-to for Windows. Across about 13.9 hours and 137 lectures, most of the early material covers types of computers, generations, hardware, keyboards, monitors and printers, then the internet and the web. Windows 11, Word, PowerPoint and Excel come later, and Word gets only about 16 minutes. The audience list names computer science students first, which fits the lecture style.

Reviewers who liked it say the explanations are clear and easy to follow for first-timers. One said it gave them the confidence to find their way around Windows, and another liked pausing to take notes. The complaints are consistent too. One learner asked for a slower pace, a non-native English speaker found the accent hard, and another called the quizzes not very interactive. A few expected hands-on practice and felt bored, and one newcomer got lost in Excel and PowerPoint. Of 1,531 ratings, 1,116 are four or five stars.

With 86,749 students and an update in February 2026, it is clearly alive. Still, the description lists sound and search engines as to be added, and the syllabus shows no sections for them. For someone who wants to understand what is inside a computer, it is a fair, gentle start. For someone who just needs to use Word or Excel by Friday, a dedicated Office course will serve better.

Best forAbsolute beginners or computer science students who want hardware and basic vocabulary first, with Windows and Office as a bonus.
Skip it ifYou want hands-on Office practice. Word gets about 16 minutes, and some reviewers found little to actually do.

Pros

  • Reviewers call the lessons clear and easy to follow for people who have never studied computers
  • Windows 11 gets 21 lectures, and one reviewer says it gave them confidence finding their way around
  • Hardware, keyboards, storage and the internet are explained, so the vocabulary behind the screen makes sense
  • Updated in February 2026, with 14 quizzes to check recall along the way

Cons

  • Word gets only about 16 minutes, and some reviewers found little hands-on practice
  • Delivery is hard for some: one asks for a slower pace, another struggled with the accent
  • Quizzes are called not very interactive, and one reviewer says a video cuts off mid-lecture
I found the course very educational, a great source of information helping me to better understand the basics of computers and giving me the confidence to navigate my way around windows etc.
Darrell Dowling, a student

Labeled All Levels, but it suits true beginners and computer science students. Excel and PowerPoint lost at least one newcomer.

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What you will learn

  • The Computer Defined
  • Types of Computers i.e. Digital Computers, Analog Computers, Hybrid Computers
  • Parts of Computer, Difference between Data and Information, Information Processing Cycle
  • Computer Hardware
  • Keyboard, QWERTY Layout, Alphanumeric Keys, Function Keys, Cursor Movement Keys, Modifier Keys
  • The different variants of mouse
  • Video and Sound, Printers
  • How Computer Processes Data, The Central Processing Unit, RAM, Cache Memory, Buses
  • Modern CPUs
  • Microsoft Word Basics
  • Microsoft Powerpoint Basics
  • Microsoft Excel Basics
  • Storage Devices (Magnetic Storage devices, Optical Storage Devices, Solid State Drives)
  • Computer Networks (Basics)
  • Internet and World Wide Web

Course content

21 sections · 137 lectures · 14 hours of video 14 quizzes

  1. 1Introduction 1 free preview2 lectures · 14 min
  2. 2Classifying Computers (Based on how the data is handled) 2 free previews4 lectures · 1 quiz · 9 min
  3. 3Computer Generations6 lectures · 1 quiz · 46 min
  4. 4Computers for Individual Users8 lectures · 1 quiz · 27 min
  5. 5Computers for Organizations5 lectures · 1 quiz · 32 min
  6. 6A Look Inside The Computer System2 lectures · 1 quiz · 13 min
  7. 7Categorizing Computer Hardware6 lectures · 1 quiz · 42 min
  8. 8System Software and Application Software3 lectures · 1 quiz · 17 min
  9. 9A Standard IBM Compatible Keyboard9 lectures · 3 quizzes · 1.5 hours
  10. 10Mouse and its Variants 1 free preview2 lectures · 22 min

Who it is for

The instructor says it suits

  • Computer Science students and students from other discipline curious to learn Computer Fundamentals
  • Students wishing to learn both theoretical and practice aspects of Computer Basics/Fundamentals

What you need before you start

  • No prerequisites as such. A basic understanding of computers will be a plus

How it compares

Against the other 1,182 rated Udemy courses in IT & Software on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.4 out of 5higher than 30% of them
  • Reviews1,531#298 of 1,183 by number of reviews
  • Length13.9 hourslonger than 81% of them
  • Last updatedFebruary 2026more recently than 67% of them

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Course Description


The Computer Defined, Data versus Information,

Classification of Computers based on how data is handled (Analog Computers, Digital Computers Hybrid Computers)

Computers for Individual Users or Personal Computers (Desktop Computers,Workstations, Laptops, Notebooks, Tablets, Handheld PCs, Smartphones)

Computers for Organizations (Network Server, Mainframes, Minicomputers, Supercomputers)

Parts of Computer System (Hardware , Software, User and Data)

Information Processing Cycle (Input, Processing, Output, Storage)

Computer Hardware Categorized ( Processing Devices, Memory Devices, Input and Output Devices, Storage Devices, Bus Interconnection)

System Software versus Application Software (Different categories of System and Application Software)

Input Devices ( Mouse, Keyboard, QWERTY keyboard layout and keys explained in detail, Different variants of mouse explained)

Other ways to Input Data ( Pen based input, Touch Screens, Game Controllers i.e. joysticks and game pads)

Other ways to Input Data ( Optical Input Devices i.e. Bar Code Readers, Scanners, Handheld versus Flatbed scanner)

Other ways to Input Data (Audiovisual Input Devices i.e. Microphones, MIDI, Digital Cameras)

Video (Monitors and their types, Video cards explained)

Sound (Sound Systems, Sound Cards, Headphones and Headsets) (To be added)

Printing (Commonly used printers, High quality printers)

Data Representation in Computers

Transforming Data into Information (To be added)

Devices that Affect Processing Speed (To be added)

Modern CPUs  (To be added)

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Windows Basics

Storage Devices

Internet and Its History

Major Services Provided by Internet (To be added)

The World Wide Web

Using the browser to navigate the World Wide Web

Search Engines (To be Added)
Read More All Levels All Levels product length iconTime: 13.9h

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Instructor Details

Sarmad Jadoon

I have a plethora of experience to my credit insofar as teaching Computers and programming is concerned. I hold Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT) with several years of teaching experience to my credit. In my courses I shall endeavor to present to my students both theoretical and practical aspects of modern day Computers. In addition to that I shall cover Microsoft Office 365 in depth. Lastly my prime focus will be on teaching my students at Udemy the programming language concepts. I shall navigate through the programming constructs of different programming languages like C, C++, Java and Python.

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Reviews

4.4

1,531 ratings on Udemy

Select a bar to show only those reviews.Select the bar again to show every rating.

Write a review

By Darrell Dowling on 11/5/2025

I found the course very educational, a great source of information helping me to better understand the basics of computers and giving me the confidence to navigate my way around windows etc. Thank you.

By Phindile Moloantoa on 10/30/2025

as a first time learning about the basic computer the introduction is clear and easy to understand. this is so far a good way to learn to write notes pause the video recap is truly helpful.

By Tanya Shepherd on 11/18/2024

Thank you this helped with the basics I needed to cover. The excel was helpful and beneficial for me. Great course for beginners.

By Milan Moshahary on 10/4/2024

very convenient in terms of time management for the learners. found nice and understandable lessons / lectures and topics delivered by you sir. absolutely , I am enjoying the course. there has always been an excitement to attempt all the questioner. Amazing , above expectations. thanks.

By Abdifatah Heydar Abdiaziz on 9/8/2024

This course is a thorough introduction to computers, covering essential topics like hardware, software, and keyboard shortcuts. It offers practical, easy-to-follow lessons on navigating both older and newer operating systems (Windows 10 & 11), and includes detailed sections on Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. The course is well-suited for absolute beginners, with clear instruction and step-by-step guidance. However, it could benefit from a more interactive and engaging approach, especially in the quiz sections. Overall, it’s a strong foundational course for anyone new to computers or seeking to refresh their skills. Recommended For: Beginners, students, and professionals looking to build or solidify basic computer knowledge.

By Ignacio gaeta on 6/20/2024

IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE IM STILL A LITLTE CONFUSED WITH EXCEL ROED AND POWER POINT IN WICH IVE DECIDED SKIP THAT GET A LITLE MORE INVOLVE IN COMPUTERS AND GO BACK AND FINISH THIS COURSE THANK YOU SARMAD IL BE BACK TO FINISH THIS

By Lukash Tirkey on 4/16/2024

It was really a very good experience for me and I learnt the course very well. And also the method of teaching is excellent.The systematic way of arranging the things and giving knowledge to the students. So,it is inspiring and very good. Thank you very much for everything.

By SHRIMAYA PANIGRAHI on 12/2/2023

Audio Quality is very Poor. But there are some new things to learn like keyboard skills for to go to the starting of line press home button and to go to end of line press end button, also for select a line or word we can press shift then move the arrow button.

By Samia younas on 8/8/2023

The teaching method is just amazing .I'm glad to join this course .It's my first experience to do any online course and I must say it is every good experience for me .Each topic is very well defined .Thank you Sir for your great Effort .....

By Tibebe Belihu on 10/4/2022

It's my first time taking online computer classes. So far it's great. it's fine except sometimes the recording is not clear or low noise. It's fine.

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Overall Score : 88 / 100

The Complete Computer Basics Guide for Beginners: 2026
Visit course on Udemy Write a review
  • Video Duration: icon 13.9h
  • Price: $64.99
  • Provider: icon Udemy
  • Updated: icon February 2026
  • Level: All Levels All Levels
  • Language: icon English
  • Certificate: icon Yes
  • Lectures:137 in 21 sections
  • Practice:14 quizzes
  • Students:86,700
  • Subtitles:1 language
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