A+ Guide to IT Technical Support Chapter 7

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 8/7 that lists errors and issues that need attention.

Active Directory

A Windows Server directory database and service that is used in managing a domain to allow for a single point of administration for all shared resources on a network, including files, peripheral devices, databases, websites, users, and services.

Administrative Tools

A group of tools accessed through Control Panel that you can use to manage the local computer or other computers on the network.

administrator account

In Windows, a user account that grants to the administrator(s) rights and privileges to all hardware and software resources, such as the right to add, delete, and change accounts and to change hardware configurations. Compare with standard account.

Aero user interface

The Windows 7/Vista 3D user interface that gives a glassy appearance. Also called Aero glass.

BitLocker Drive Encryption

A utility in Windows
8/7/Vista that is used to lock down a hard drive by encrypting the entire Windows volume and any other volume on the drive.

Category view

Default view in Windows Control
Panel that presents utilities grouped by category.

charm

A shortcut that appears in the Windows 8 charms bar.

charms bar

A menu that appears on the right side of any Windows 8 screen when you move your pointer to a right corner.

child directory

A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a subdirectory or folder.

Classic view

View in Windows Control Panel that presents utilities in small or large icons and are not grouped.

client/server

Two computers communicating using a local network or the Internet. One computer (the client) makes requests to the other computer (the server), which answers the request.

compressed (zipped) folder

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.

console

A window that consolidates several Windows administrative tools.

Control Panel

A window containing several small Windows utility programs called applets that are used to manage hardware, software, users, and the system.

Date and Time applet

Accessed through Control Panel, used to set the date and time in Windows.

device driver

A small program stored on the hard drive and installed in Windows that tells Windows how to communicate with a specific hardware device such as a printer, network, port on the motherboard, or scanner.

domain

In Windows, a logical group of networked computers, such as those on a college campus, that share a centralized directory database of user account information and security for the entire domain.

domain account

An account that is used at the domain level, created by an administrator, and stored in the SAM (security accounts manager) database on a Windows domain controller. Also called global account or network ID.

File Explorer

The Windows 8 utility used to view and manage files and folders.

file extension

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, the file extension follows the file name and is separated from it by a period, for example, Msd.exe, where exe is the file extension.

file name

The first part of the name assigned to a file, which does not include the file extension. In Windows, a file name can be up to 255 characters.

folder

A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a subdirectory or child directory.

Folder Options applet

Accessed through Control Panel, manages how files and folders are displayed in File Explorer or Windows Explorer.

gadget

A mini-app that appears on the Windows 7 desktop or Vista sidebar.

global account

global account An account that is used at the domain level, created by an administrator, and stored in the SAM (security accounts manager) database on a Windows domain controller. Also called domain account or network ID. Compare with local account.

graphical user interface (GUI)

An interface that uses graphics as compared with a command-driven interface.

hibernation

A power-saving state that saves all work to the hard drive and powers down the system.

homegroup

In Windows, a type of peer-to-peer network where each computer shares files, folders, libraries, and printers with other computers in the homegroup. Access to the homegroup is secured using a homegroup password.

library

in Windows 8/7, a collection of one or more folders that can be stored on different local drives or on the network.

live sign in

Sign in to Windows 8 using a Microsoft account

live tiles

On the Windows 8 Start screen, some apps use live tiles, which offer continuous real-time updates.

local account

A Windows user account that applies only to the local computer and cannot be used to access resources from other computers on the network. Compare with global account.

logical topology

The logical way computers connect on a network.

Metro User Interface (Metro UI)

An interface that presents the Start screen to the user. Known as the modern UI

Microsoft account

For Windows 8 and above, an email address and password that allows access to several types of online accounts, including Microsoft OneDrive, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Skype, Outlook, and others.

modern interface

An interface that presents the Start screen to the user. Also called Windows 8 interface, formerly called Metro User Interface or Metro UI.

navigation pane

In File Explorer, Windows Explorer, or the Computer window, the pane on the left side of the window where devices, drives, and folders are listed. Double-click an item to drill down into the item.

Network and Sharing Center

the primary Windows utility used to manage network connections.

network ID

An account that is used at the domain level, created by an administrator, and stored in the SAM (security accounts manager) database on a Windows domain controller. Also called domain account or global account.

Notepad

A Windows text editing program.

notification area

An area to the right of the Windows taskbar that holds the icons for running services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity. Also called the system tray or systray.

OneDrive

Microsoft cloud service that allows users with a Microsoft account to store, sync, and share files with other people and devices

operating system (OS)

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.

patch

A minor update to software that corrects an error, adds a feature, or addresses security issues. Also called an update. Compare with service pack.

path

A drive and list of directories pointing to a file such as C:\Windows\System32

peer-to-peer (P2P)

As applied to networking, a network of computers that are all equals, or peers. Each computer has the same amount of authority, and each can act as a server to the other computers.

physical topology

The physical arrangement of connections between computers.

pinning

To make a frequently used application more accessible, add its icon to the taskbar on the desktop.

Power Options applet

Accessed through Control Panel, manages power settings to conserve power.

Quick Launch menu

The menu that appears when the Windows Start button is right-clicked or the user presses Win1X.

Recycle Bin

In Windows, location on the hard drive where deleted files are stored.

root directory

The main directory, at the top of the top-down hierarchical structure of subdirectories, created when a hard drive or disk is first formatted. In Linux, it's indicated by a forward slash. In Windows, it's indicated by a backward slash

Security Center

A Vista utility where you can confirm Windows Firewall, Windows Update, anti-malware settings, including that of Windows Defender, and other security settings.

service

A program that runs in the background to support or serve Windows or an application.

service pack

A collection of several patches or updates that is installed as a single update to an OS or application. Compare with patch.

sidebar

Located on the right side of the Vista desktop and displays Vista gadgets.

side-by-side apps

In Windows 8, an application or page can be snapped to the left or right side of the screen so a second page can share the screen.

single sign-on (SSO)

An account that accesses multiple, independent resources, systems, or applications after signing in one time to one account. An example is a Microsoft account.

sleep mode

A power-saving state for a computer used to save power when not using the computer. Also called suspend mode. Also see S3 state.

sleep timer

The number of minutes of inactivity before a computer goes into a power-saving state such as sleep mode.

Sound applet

Accessed through Control Panel, used to select a default speaker and microphone and adjust how Windows handles sounds.

standard account

The Windows 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. Compare with administrator account.

Start screen

introduced in Windows 8, the Start screen contains tiles that represent lean apps, which use few system resources and are designed for social media, social networking, and the novice end user.

subdirectory

A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or folder

suspend mode

A power-saving state for a computer used to save power when not using the computer. Also see sleep mode

System Information

A Windows tool (msinfo32. exe) that provides details about a system, including installed hardware and software, the current system configuration, and currently running programs.

system tray

An area to the right of the Windows taskbar that holds the icons for running services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity.

taskbar

a bar normally located at the bottom of the Windows desktop, displaying information about open programs and providing quick access to others.

User Account Control (UAC) dialog box

A Windows security feature that displays a dialog box when an event requiring administrative privileges is about to happen.

volume

A primary partition that has been assigned a drive letter and can be formatted with a file system such as NTFS. Compare with logical drive.

Windows 8.1

A free update or release of the Windows 8 operating system. The edition of choice for a laptop or desktop computer used in a home or small office. This edition supports homegroups, but it doesn't support joining a domain or BitLocker Encryption.

Windows Defender

Anti-malware software embedded in Windows 8 that can detect, prevent, and clean up a system infected with viruses and other malware. Antispyware utility included in Windows 8/7/Vista.

Windows Explorer

The Windows 7/Vista utility used to view and manage files and folders.

Windows Firewall

A personal firewall that protects a computer from intrusion and is automatically configured when you set your network location in the Network and Sharing Center.

Windows Store

Windows Store

workgroup

In Windows, a logical group of computers and users in which administration, resources, and security are distributed throughout the network, without centralized management or security.