Question | Answer |
registry | A database that Windows uses to store hardware and software cregionfiguration information, user preferences, and setup information. |
root directory | The main directory created when a root 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 service program that runs in the background to support or serve Windows or an application. |
service pack | A program that runs in the background to support or serve pack Windows or an application. |
shell | The portion of an OS that relates to the user and to applications. |
standard account | The Vista standard account 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 subfolder. |
system tray | An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons for running tray services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity. Also called the system tray or systray. |
taskbar | A bar normally located at the bottom of the Windows desktop, displaying information about open programs and providing quick access to others. |
thread | Each process that the CPU is aware of; a single thread task that is part of a longer task or program. |
User Account Control (UAC) dialog box | A Vista security feature that displays a dialog box each time a uacser attempts to perform an action that can be done only with administrative privileges. |
user mode | In Windows 2000/XP/Vista, a user mode that provides an interface between an application and the OS, and only has access to hardware resources through the code running in kernel mode. |
virtual machine (VM) | One or more logical machines created within one physical vmachine. |
volume | A primary partition that has been assigned a voludrive letter and can be formatted with a file system such as NTFS. Compare to logical drive. |