| A | B |
|---|
| activation | Process of confirming that an installed copy of Microsoft product (most commonly Windows or a Microsoft Office application) is legitimate. Usually done at the end of software installation. |
| Administrative Tools | Group of Control Panel applets, including Computer Management, Event Viewer, and Reliability and Performance Monitor. |
| Aero | The Windows Vista desktop environment. Aero adds some interesting aesthetic effects such as window transparency and Flip 3D. |
| applets | Generic term for a program in the Windows Control Panel. |
| Computer (Vista and Windows 7) | Default interface in Windows Vista and 7 for Windows Explorer; displays drives and network locations. |
| Computer Management | Applet in Windows' Administrative Tools that contains several useful snap-ins, such as Device Manager and Disk Management. |
| context menu | Small menu brought up by right-clicking on objects in Windows. |
| Control Panel | Collection of Windows applets, or small programs, that can be used to configure various pieces of hardware and software in a system. |
| desktop | User's primary interface to the Windows operating system. |
| Device Manager | Utility that enables techs to examine and configure all the hardware and drivers in a Windows PC. |
| extensions | Three or four letters that follow a filename and identify the type of file. Common file extensions are .ZIP, .EXE, and .DOC. |
| file association | Windows term for the proper program to open a particular file; for example, file association for opening .MP3 programs might be Winap. |
| Flip 3D | In the Aero desktop environment, a three-dimensional replacement for ALT-TAB. Accessed by pressing the WINDOWS KEY-TAB key combination. |
| Folders list | Toggle button in Windows Explorer for Windows 2000 and XP that displays the file structure on the left side of the window. In Windows Vista and 7, the folders list is active by default. |
| interface | Means by which a user interacts with a piece of software. |
| login screen | First screen of the Windows interface, used to log in to the computer system. |
| Microsoft Management Console (MMC) | Means of managing a system, introduced by Microsoft with Windows 2000. The MMC allows an Administrator to customize management tools by picking and choosing from a list of snap-ins. Available snap-ins include Device Manager, Users and Groups, and Computer Management. |
| My Computer | Applet that allows users to access a complete list of all fixed and removeable drives contained within a system. |
| My Documents | Introduced with Windows 98 and used in Windows 2000 and Windows XP, the My Documents folder provides a convenient place for users to store their documents, log files, and any other type of files. |
| My Network Places | Folder in Windows XP that enables users to view other computers on their network or work group. |
| Network | Collection of two or more computers interconnected by telephone lines, coaxial cables, satellite links, radio, and/ or some other communication technique. Group of computers that are connected and that communicate with one another for a common purpose. |
| notification area | Contains icons representing background processes, the system clock and volume control. Located by default at the right edge of the Windows taskbar. Most users call this area the system tray. |
| page file | Portion of the hard drive set aside by Windows to act like RAM. Also known as virtual memory or swap file. |
| Performance console | Windows used to log resource usage over time. |
| Quick Launch Toolbar | Enables you to launch commonly used programs with a single click. |
| Recycle Bin | When files are deleted from a modern Windows system, they are moved to the Recycle Bin. To permanently remove files from a system, they must be emptied from the Recycle Bin. |
| Registry | Complex binary file used to store configuration data about a particular system. To edit the Registry, users can use the applets found in the Control Panel or REGEDIT.EXE or REGEDT32.EXE. |
| Reliability and Performance Monitor | Windows Vista's extended Performance applet. |
| root keys | Five main categories in the Windows Registry: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, HEKY_CURRENT_USER, HKEY_USERS, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, and HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG. |
| services | Used to handle a huge number or tasks, from application support to network functions. |
| Start button | Button on the Windows taskbar that enables access to the Start Menu. |
| SystemRoot | The tech name given to the folder in which Windows has been installed. |
| System Tools | Menu containing tools such as System Information and Disk Defragmenter, accessed by selecting Start, Programs or All Programs, Accessories, System Tools. |
| system tray | Contains icons representing background processes and the system clock. Located by default at the right edge of the Windows taskbar. Accurately called the notification area. |
| taskbar | Contains the Start button, the system tray, the Quick Launch bar, and buttons for running applications. Located by default at the bottom of the desktop. |
| transparency | Gives an adjustable amount of transparency to the edges of your windowed programs. |
| User's Files | Windows Vista's redux of the My Documents folder structure. It is divided into several folders such as Documents, Pictures, Music, and Video. |
| Welcome Screen | Login screen for Windows XP. Enables users to select their particular user account by clicking on their user space. |
| Windows Explorer | Windows utility that enables you to manipulate files and folders stored on the drives in your computer. |
| Windows Sidebar | User interface feature in Windows Vista that enables users to place various gadgets, such as clocks, calendars, and other utilities, on the right side of their desktop. |
| x64 | Describes 64-bit operating systems and software. |
| x86 | Describes 32-bit operating systems and software. |
