Question | Answer |
a bar typically at the bottom of the screen that consists of the Start button, buttons or icons representing open programs, and other buttons or icons that activate programs | taskbar |
a bar, usually just under a menu bar, that contains command options | toolbar |
a box in a scroll bar that can be used to drag a work area horizontally or vertically; it also provides a visual indication of the current location in the work area | scroll box |
a collection of items, such as files and folders, assembled from various locations | Library |
a combination of keys that performs a command as an alternative to using the ribbon or menu | keyboard shortcut |
a file that can be opened and read but cannot be edited | read-only |
a graphic representation of a program or object that, when clicked, will execute an action | icon |
a mode in Windows that allows users to leave a computer for a short period of time without logging off and to return to her own personal settings | Lock mode |
a mode of greatly reduced energy consumption that allows for quick resumption of computer use because power is still supplied to RAM when in this mode | Sleep mode |
a pane that opens on the side of a window and is used to display commonly used tools or navigation commands | task pane |
a storage area for files that have been deleted from the hard drive | Recycle Bin |
a Windows energy-saving mode that writes the status of files and programs to the hard drive and turns off the power provided to RAM; files and programs are returned to the previous state of use when the computer is revived | Hibernate |
allows navigation to a folder in the Computer window after pressing the back button | Forward button |
Allows navigation to a folder previously opened in the Computer window. | Back button |
an icon that displays a small representation of a file | thumbnails |
area on left side of a folder window that enables a user to view the folder structure in a vertical list. Example | Navigation pane |
descriptive names that define the category of data in a column | column headings |
Displays current location in a folder structure as a series of links separated by arrows. | address bar |
Displays the contents of the folder selected in the Navigation pane —the active folder | file list |
Displays the most common properties associated with a selected file. | details pane |
dynamic program such as a currency converter, a calendar, or a clock that can be attached to the Windows Sidebar | gadget |
in Microsoft Office 2007 and 2010, the area containing groups of commands and command buttons | ribbon |
list of the most commonly used folders in the Computer window | Favorites list |
name of Microsoft Corporation’s operating system that uses a graphical user interface (GUI) | Windows |
option on the Start menu that displays menus of installed programs | All Programs |
process of resizing a window to a previous state that is not maximized or minimized, or the button on the title bar of a window that resizes a window to a previous state that is not maximized or minimized | restore down |
program within Windows that displays files and folders on a computer | Windows Explorer |
rectangular area of the screen used by an application program to work with files or interact with the user | window |
right side of the Windows taskbar with icons that indicate currently running programs | notification area |
shortcut to the Computer window; allows access to the drives, files, and folders on the computer | Computer icon |
similar to a single-click, but the mouse button is pressed twice or a touchpad is tapped twice in rapid succession | double-click |
similar to a window but used for a specific purpose and requires action by the user | dialog box |
similar to double-clicking except you click the mouse button or touchpad is tapped three times | triple-click |
slider that positions the display of content within a window | scroll bar |
switching from one user’s personal settings to another user’s personal settings on a computer; may require the second user’s password | switch users |
the bar at the bottom of a window that gives additional information about the window | Status bar |
the bar at the top of a window that often contains the name of the application and document, along with the Minimize, Maximize/Restore Down, and Close buttons | title bar |
the basic screen from which Windows and applications are run; program icons, taskbar, Start button, Windows Sidebar, and a mouse pointer may all appear on the desktop | desktop |
the process of hiding a window by placing an icon on the taskbar or; the button on the title bar of a window that hides a window and places an icon on the taskbar but does not close the application or file | minimize |
the process of increasing the size of a window to fill the screen, or the button on the title bar of a window that increases the size of the window to fill the screen | maximize |
the process of pressing a mouse button or touch pad to execute a command | click |
the process of signing out of the operating system as a user which closes personal settings and requires the user to log on again before using the computer | log off |
using the mouse to move an object to a new location, resize windows, or move selected text | drag |
a compressed file that contains a copy of the software installed on a computer, often used to duplicate an installation among computers | clone |
a Google operating system for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets; combined with specific processors it is a platform | Android |
a language used to store files as simple text with information about how an application should interpret the text, making it possible to view files on any platform | Extensible Markup Language (XML) |
a location, separate from the primary location of a computer, where copies of important files and backup copies of computer files are stored; usually stored on servers which may be accessed using the Internet | offsite |
a Microsoft smartphone operation system | Windows Phone |
a mode of booting a computer that loads the fewest drivers and utility programs possible and assists with troubleshooting computer problems | Safe Mode |
a program providing a specific function such as word processing, spreadsheet creation, or photo editing that uses the programs in the operating system | application program |
a representation of the state of your computer’s system files at a particular point in time | restore point |
a software program that determines how the processor interacts with the user and system components | operating system |
a type of user account on a PC that allows the user to create and manage other users and make significant changes to the computer such as adding and deleting software | administrator |
a visual program interface that includes screen elements such as dialog boxes, windows, toolbars, icons, and menus that the user controls with a mouse or keyboard | Graphical User Interface (GUI) |
a way of interacting with the operating system using the keyboard by typing commands | command-line interface (CLI) |
a Windows operating system command that allows a program to be displayed in the upper part of the Start menu | pin |
an operating system that is compact, efficient, and often single-purpose used in computer appliances and special-purpose applications such as cars, ATM machines, or computer routers | embedded operating system |
circuits on the motherboard that keep time; is battery-powered when the computer is unplugged | system clock |
computer corporation also known as Big Blue that popularized personal computers in traditional businesses and was the first to use the DOS operating system created by Microsoft | International Business Machines (IBM) |
early DOS file-naming convention that required eight or fewer characters with no spaces followed by a period and an extension of no more than three characters to identify the file type | 8.3 convention |
early operating system for personal computers that supported a command-line interface only | Disk Operating System (DOS) |
groups of options that set default values for the Windows operating system | Control Panel |
one copy of a file that might exist several times—once as an original document, as an edited document, with different file names, or stored in multiple locations | version |
operating system used by Apple Corporation products including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch | iOS |
programs stored in the memory of a device such as a printer or digital camera that control their operation | firmware |
the process of reinstating a set of operating system settings that previously worked in order to solve computer problems | system restore |
three or four letters after the period in a filename that identifies the file type | file extension |
used as a symbol in flow charts to indicate the Internet; it refers to applications, files, and services accessed from an offsite location using an Internet connection | cloud |