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Chapter 3
Key Terms
Term | Definition |
---|---|
32-bit operation system | Type of operating system that processes 32 bits at a time. |
64-bit operation system | Type of operating system that processes 64 bits at a time, |
Action Center | A tool in Windows 7 that lists errors and issues that need attention. |
Administrators account | In windows, a user account that grants to the administrators rights and privileges to all hardware and software resources, such as the right to add, delete, and change accounts and to change hardware configurations. |
Aero Peek | A Windows 7 feature that gives you a peek at the desktop when you move the mouse over the rectangle to the far-right side of the taskbar. |
Aero Shake | A Windows 7 feature that minimizes all other windows except the one you shake. |
Aero Snap | A Windows 7 feature that automatically maximizes a window when you drag it to the top of the desktop or snaps the window to the side of the screen when you drag it to a side. |
Aero user interface | The Windows 7/Vista 3D user interface that gives a glassy appearance. Also called Aero glass. |
Child directories | A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called Subdirectory or folder. |
Compressed (zipped) Folder | A folder with a .zip extension that contains compressed files. When files are put in the folder, they are compressed. When files are moved to a regular folder, the files are decompressed. |
Control Panel | A window containing several small utility programs called applets that are used to manage hardware, software, users, and the system. |
Desktop | The initial screen that is displayed when an OS has GUI interface loaded. |
Device Driver | Small programs stored on the hard drive and installed in Windows that tell Windows how to communicate with specific hardware device such as a printer, network, port on the motherboard, or scanner. |
File attributes | The properties assigned to a file. Examples of file attributes are read-only and hidden status. |
File extension | A portion of the name of a file that indicates how the file is organized or formatted, the type of content in the file, and what program uses the file. In command lines, the file extension follows the filename and is separated from it by a period. |
Filename | The first part of the name assigned to a file, which does not include the file extension. In DOS, the filename can be no more than eight characters long and is followed by the file extension. In Windows, a filename can be up to 255 characters. |
Folder attributes | The properties assigned to a file. Examples of file attributes are read-only and hidden status. |
Folder | A directory or folder contained in another directory or a folder. Also called Child directories or Subdirectory. |
Gadget | A mini-map that appears on the windows 7 desktop or vista sidebar. |
Graphical user interface (GUI) | An interface that uses graphics as compared to a command-driven interface. |
Jump List | Appears when right-clicking an icon in the windows 7 taskbar and provides access to some of the major functions of the program. |
Library | In windows 7, a collection of one or more folders that can be stored on different local drives or on the network. |
Navigation Pane | In windows explorer or the computer window, pane on the left side of the window where devices, drives, and folders are listed. Double-click an item to drill down into the item. |
Network and Sharing Center | The primary windows 7/vista utility used to manage network connections. |
Notification area | An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons for running services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity. Also called the system tray or systray. |
Operating System (OS) | Software that controls a computer. An OS controls how system resources are used and provides a user interface, a way of managing hardware and software, and ways to work with files. |
Patches | A minor update to software that corrects an error, adds feature, or addresses security issues. Also called an update. Compare to service pack. |
Path | A drive and list of directories pointing to a file such as C:\Windows\System32. |
Root directory | The main directory, at the top of the top-down hierarchical structure of subdirectories, created when a hard drive or disk is first formatted. In linux, it's indicated by a forward slash. In DOS and Windows, it's indicated by a backward slash. |
Service | A program that runs in the background to support or serve windows or an application. |
Screen resolution | The number of dots or pixels on the monitor screen expressed as two numbers such as 1680x1050. |
Service pack | A collection of several patches or updates that is installed as a single update to an OS or application. |
Sidebar | Located on the right side of the Vista desktop and displays vista gadgets. |
Standard account | The Windows 7/Vista user account that type that can use software and hardware and make some system changes, but cannot make changes that affect the security of the system or other users. |
Subdirectory | A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or folder. |
System Information | A windows tool that provides details about a system, including installed hardware and software, the current system configuration, and currently running programs. The program file is Msinfo32.exe |
System Tray | An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons for running services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity. Also called notification Area or systray. |
System window | A window that displays brief and important information about installed hardware and software and gives access to important windows tools needed to support the program. |
Systray | An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons for running services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity. Also called System Tray or Notification Area. |
Taskbar | A bar normally located at the bottom of the windows desktop, displaying information about open programs |
User account control (UAC) dialog box | A windows 7/Vista security feature that displays a dialog box when an event requiring administrative privileges is about to happen. |
Volume | A primary partition that has been assigned a drive letter and can be formatted with a file system such as NTFS. Compare to logical drive. |
Windows Experience Index | A Windows 7/Vista feature that gives a summary index designed to measure the overall performance of a system on a scale from 1.0 to 7.9 |