Term | Definition |
32-bit Operating System | Type of Operating System that processes 32 bits at a time |
64-bit Operating System | Type of Operating System that processes 64 bits at a time |
Action Center | A tool in Windows 7, and newer, that lists errors and issues that need attention. |
Administrator Account | A user account that grants to the administrator rights and privileges to all hardware and software resources. Such as the right to add, delete, and change accounts and hardware configurations. |
Aero Peak | A Windows 7 feature (Aero was introduced with Windows Vista) that gives you a peak 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 and restores all other windows except the one you shake. |
Aero User Interface | the Windows Vista and newer 3D user interface that gives a glassy appearance, Also known as Aero Glass |
Child Directory | A directory contained in another directory or folder. Also called Subdirectory. (SEE SUBDIRECTORY) |
Compressed (Zipped) Folder | A folder with a .zip extention that contains compressed files. When files are put in the folder, they are compressed. When they are moved out to a regular folder, they 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 screenthat is displayed when an OS has a GUI interface loaded. |
Device Driver | Small programs stored on the hard drive and installed in Windows that tell Windows how to communicate with a specified hardware device such as a keyboard, printer, network card, motherboard, or monitor. |
File Attributes | the properties assigned to a file. Examples of the attributes are read only and hidden status. |
File Extention | 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, extention follows the filename and is separated from it by a period. Example Calc.exe |
Filename | the first part of a name assigned to a file which does not include the file extention. In DOS, the filename can be no more thatn 8 characters long and is follwed by the file extention. in Windows, the filename can be 255 characters. |
Folder Attributes | The properties assigned to a folder. Examples of folder attributes are Read-Only and Hidden Status |
Folder | A folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or child folder..(SEE SUBDIRECTORY) |
Gadget | A mini-app that appears in Windows Vista Sidebar and on Windows 7 Desktop. |
Graphical User Interface (GUI) | An interfacethat uses graphics as compared to a command-driven interface. |
Jump List | Appears when right-clicking an icon in the Windows 7, and newer, taskbar and provides access to some of the major functions of the program. |
Library | A collection of one or more folders that can be stored on different local drives or on networks. |
Navigation Pane | In Windows Explorer or the Computer window, a pane on the left side of the window where devices, drives, and folders are listed. |
Network and Sharing Center | Primary utility used in Windows Vista and newer OS to manage network connections. |
Notification Area | An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons for running services such as Volume control, Network Connectivity, and Action Center Notifications Also known as System Tray or Systray. |
Operationg System (OS) | Software that controls a computer. Controls how system resources are used and provides a user interface to work with files. |
Patches | A minor update to software that corrects an error, adds a feature, or addresses security issues. Also known as an update. |
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 hierarchial structure of subdirectories created when a hard drive or disk is first formatted. in Linux it is indicated by a forward slash, in DOS and Windows it is 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 2 numbers such as 1680x1050 |
Service Pack | A collection of patchesor updates that is installed as a single update to an OS or application. |
Sidebar | Located on the right side of the Windows Vista desktop which displays Gadgets. |
Standard Account | The Windows Vista (and newer) user account type that can use software and hardware and make some system changes. 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 child folder. |
System Information | A Windows tool that provices details about a system. Includes installed software, hardware, the current operating system configuration and currently running programs. |
System Tray | An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons for running services such as Volume control, Network Connectivity, and Action Center Notifications Also known as Notification Area and Systray. (SEE NOTIFICATION AREA) |
Taskbar | A bar normally located a the bottom of the Windows desktop, displaying information about open programs and providing a quick access to others. |
User Account Control (UAC) Dialog Box | A Windows Vista (and newer) security feature that displays a dialog box when an event requiring administrative privilages is needed. |
Volume | A primary partition that has been assigned a drive letter and can be formatted with a file system such as NTSF. |
Windows Experience Index | Introduced with Windows Vista. A feature that gives a summary index designed to measure the overall performance of a system on a scale of 1 to 8 |