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| In Windows 2000/XP/Vista, an account that grants to the administrator(s) rights and permissions to all hardware and software resources, such as the right to add, delete, and change accounts and to change hardware configurations. |
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| The Vista 3D user interface. Also called Aero glass. |
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| A technology, software, or device that works with older or legacy technologies, software, or devices. |
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| A system folder in Windows 9x/Me that is used to synchronize files between two computers. |
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| A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a subdirectory or folder. |
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| A Windows utility that is used to enter multiple commands to perform a variety of tasks. |
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| Compressed (zipped) Folder |
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Definition
| 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. |
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| The initial screen that is displayed when an OS has a GUI interface loaded. |
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| A program stored on the hard drive that tells the computer how to communicate with a hardware device such as a printer or modem. |
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| The ability to boot using either of two different OSs, such as Windows XP and Windows Vista. |
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Term
| elevated command prompt window |
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Definition
| A Vista command prompt window that allows commands that require administrative privileges. |
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| In Windows 2000/XP/Vista, a group of components running in kernel mode that interfaces between the subsystems in user mode and the HAL. |
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| The properties assigned to a file. Examples of file attributes are read-only and hidden status. |
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Term
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| A portion of the name of a file that is used to identify the file type. In command lines, the file extension follows the filename and is separated from it by a period. For example, Msd.exe, where exe is the file extension. |
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Term
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Definition
| The first part of the name assigned to a file. 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. |
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| A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or subdirectory. |
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Term
| graphical user interface (GUI) |
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Definition
| An interface that uses graphics as compared to a command-driven interface. |
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Term
| HAL (hardware abstraction layer) |
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Definition
| The low-level part of Windows 2000/XP/Vista, written specifically for each CPU technology, so that only the HAL must change when platform components change. |
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Term
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Definition
| The portion of an OS that is responsible for interacting with the hardware. |
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Term
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Definition
| A Windows 2000/XP/Vista privileged processing mode that has access to hardware components. |
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Term
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Definition
| A low-end, inexpensive laptop with a small 9 or 10 inch screen and no optical drive that is generally used for Web browsing, email, and word processing by users on the go. |
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Definition
| 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. |
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Definition
| 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. |
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Term
| original equipment manufacturer (OEM) license |
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Definition
| A software license that only manufacturers or builders of personal computers can purchase to be installed only on a computer intended for sale. |
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Definition
| An update to software that corrects an error, adds a feature, or addresses security issues. Also called an update or service pack. |
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| A drive and list of directories pointing to a file such as C:\Windows\System32. |
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| A database that Windows uses to store hardware and software configuration information, user preferences, and setup information. |
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| The main directory created when a hard drive or disk is first formatted. In Linux, its indicated by a forward slash. In DOS and Windows, its indicated by a backward slash. |
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| A program that runs in the background to support or serve Windows or an application. |
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Term
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| A program that runs in the background to support or serve Windows or an application. |
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| The portion of an OS that relates to the user and to applications. |
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Definition
| 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. |
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Term
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Definition
| A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or folder. |
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| A bar normally located at the bottom of the Windows desktop, displaying information about open programs and providing quick access to others. |
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| Each process that the CPU is aware of; a single task that is part of a longer task or program. |
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Term
| User Account Control (UAC) dialog box |
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Definition
| 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. |
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Term
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Definition
| 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. |
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| One or more logical machines created within one physical machine. |
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Term
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| 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. |
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