Question | Answer |
registry | A database that Windows uses to store hardware and software configuration information, user preferences, and setup information. registry. |
root directory | The main directory 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. root directory. |
service | A program that runs in the background to support or serve Windows or an application. service. |
service pack | A program that runs in the background to support or serve Windows or an application. service pack. |
shell | The portion of an OS that relates to the user and to applications. shell. |
standard account | The Vista user 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. standard account. |
subdirectory | A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or folder. subdirectory |
system tray | The area at (normally) the bottom right of the screen which contains shortcuts to various memory-resident programs and other system utilities. system tray. |
systray | In computing, a taskbar is a bar displayed on a full edge of a GUI desktop that is used to launch and monitor running applications. 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 task that is part of a longer task or program. taskbar. |
User Account Control (UAC) dialog box | A Vista security feature that displays a dialog box each time a user attempts to perform an action that can be done only with administrative privileges. User Account Control (UAC) dialog box. |
user mode | In Windows 2000/XP/Vista, a 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. user mode. |
virtual machine (VM) | One or more logical machines created within one physical . machine. virtual machine (VM). |
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. volume. |