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Operating Systems

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2 mins read
RTF File
A rich text format (RTF) file is a word processing document that can be accessed by most major word processors....
Kaiti Norton
Photo of woman sitting on floor typing at computer.
1 min read
Action Center
Vangie Beal
In the Windows 10 operating system, Action Center stores and displays notifications from software and applications running on your desktop...
Image
1 min read
Task View
Vangie Beal
In the Windows 10 operating system, Task View is a button located on the Taskbar, to the right of the...
Image
2 mins read
KeRanger
Forrest Stroud
KeRanger takes the claim of being the first fully functional ransomware program targeting users of Apple Macintosh computers and laptops....
2 mins read
PC-On-A-Stick
Forrest Stroud
PC-on-a-Stick is a term that refers to a small USB flash drive-sized device that can be plugged into an HDMI-compatible...
1 min read
Microsoft Parature
Forrest Stroud
Microsoft Parature is a cloud-based customer engagement solution that enterprises can deploy to provide self-service capabilities to their customers. Examples...
1 min read
Windows 10
Forrest Stroud
Windows 10 is the latest release of Microsoft’s Windows operating system and the successor to the underwhelming Windows 8 (and...
1 min read
Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Security
Forrest Stroud
Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Security refers to an enterprise-grade line of security products offered by Microsoft in its security software product...
1 min read
Windows 9
Forrest Stroud
Windows 9 was the anticipated name of the follow-up to Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system, but the company decided to...
1 min read
Spotlight
Forrest Stroud
Spotlight is the name used for Apple Computer’s powerful search feature. Spotlight can be found on Mac OS X desktops...
2 mins read
OS X Yosemite
Forrest Stroud
OS X Yosemite is version 10.10 of Apple Computer’s Mac OS X operating system for Macintosh desktop, laptop and server...
1 min read
Windows XP security update hack
Vangie Beal
A security hack that installs Windows XP security updates despite official Microsoft end of support for the operating system. The...
5 mins read
1984 Macintosh Debut Brought Great Divide Between Apple, IBM PC Partisans
Webopedia Staff
Apple on Jan. 24 celebrated the 30th anniversary of the 1984 introduction of its renowned Macintosh, the “computer for the...
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1 min read
iOS 7
Forrest Stroud
iOS 7 is the seventh major update for Apple’s iOS mobile operating system that runs on portable Apple devices like...
2 mins read
Microsoft Xbox One
Forrest Stroud
A next-generation Xbox gaming and entertainment system from Microsoft that is currently scheduled to arrive in November 2013. The $499...
2 mins read
3 Reasons To Upgrade To Windows 8
Webopedia Staff
From better mobility to improved System Restore and built-in antivirus control, here are three good reasons why you should consider...
1 min read
Enlightenment
Vangie Beal
Enlightenment is a window manager and desktop environment for Linux and UNIX-based operating systems. It is also a suite of...
1 min read
Microsoft Secure Boot Explained
Forrest Stroud
Microsoft Secure Boot is a component of Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system that relies on the UEFI specification s secure...
2 mins read
UEFI
Forrest Stroud
Short for Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, UEFI is a specification that defines a more modernized model for the interface between...
1 min read
Windows RT
Forrest Stroud
One of the three editions of the forthcoming Windows 8 (along with Windows 8 standard and Windows 8 Pro), Windows...
1 min read
Windows 8 Codename
Vangie Beal
The official codename for the successor to Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system. While the Windows 8 codename may end up...
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1 min read
Metro
Vangie Beal
A new user interface from Microsoft that replaces the traditional Microsoft Windows operating system look and feel. The Metro UI...
1 min read
Apple TV
Vangie Beal
A $99 digital media receiver from Apple that can play movies from sources like Netflix, television shows, YouTube and Video...
2 mins read
Mac OS X Mountain Lion
Vangie Beal
Mac OS X Mountain Lion is version 10.8 of Apple Computer’s Mac OS X operating system for Macintosh desktop, laptop...
1 min read
Mac App Store
Vangie Beal
A part of Apple’s App Store that facilitates finding, purchasing and downloading software applications for Mac OS X personal computers....
10 mins read
List of Windows Operating System Versions & History [In Order]
Vangie Beal
The Windows operating system (Windows OS) refers to a family of operating systems developed by Microsoft Corporation. We look at...
Microsoft Windows Bing Icon.
1 min read
Acer Iconia A100 Android Tablet
Vangie Beal
The Acer Iconia a100 was the first Android tablet using the Honeycomb operating system (OS). It is a 7-inch Android...
2 mins read
Cadillac CUE
Vangie Beal
An information and entertainment “in-vehicle infotainment” system that’s offered with select Cadillac vehicles such as the 2013 Cadillac XTS and...
1 min read
Windows Embedded
Vangie Beal
A collection of operating systems from Microsoft designed to power embedded systems and help original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in their...
1 min read
Multi-User Interface
Vangie Beal
Multi-user interface typically refers to an operating system that allows concurrent access by multiple users on the system. For example...
1 min read
Single-User Interface
Vangie Beal
1) An operating system that is usable by only one user at a time.2) An application that provides single interface...
1 min read
Entune
Vangie Beal
An information and entertainment “in-vehicle infotainment” system that s offered with select Toyota vehicles such as the 2012 Camry and...
1 min read
Ford SYNC
Vangie Beal
Ford SYNC is an “in-vehicle infotainment” system available on newer Ford vehicles that provides drivers with touchscreen input and voice-activated...
1 min read
In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI)
Vangie Beal
Integrated infotainment systems in automobiles that deliver entertainment and information content. In-Vehicle Infotainment, or IVI, development has been spurred largely...
1 min read
Infotainment
Vangie Beal
A term and popular buzzword for a media device or service that delivers a combination of information and entertainment. The...
1 min read
Windows Embedded Automotive
Vangie Beal
Microsoft’s platform for the development of in-vehicle infotainment solutions, which enable drivers to connect to a wide variety of multimedia...
1 min read
Xbox LIVE
Vangie Beal
Xbox LIVE is an online gaming service from Microsoft that extends the power of the company’s Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming...
1 min read
Kinect
Vangie Beal
Kinect is an add-on device for the Microsoft Xbox 360 gaming system that enables users to control games, movies and...
1 min read
Microsoft Xbox 360 Explained
Vangie Beal
Microsoft Xbox is a video game console device designed to compete with other popular gaming platforms like Nintendo s Wii...
1 min read
Apple X SAN
Vangie Beal
A SAN file system for MAC OS X. Apple X SAN enables multiple Mac desktops and Xserve systems to share...
1 min read
Boot To Gecko
Forrest Stroud
Boot to Gecko, or B2G, is an ambitious Mozilla project initiated to build a complete, standalone operating system for the...
1 min read
Windows 8
Forrest Stroud
The next major release of the Microsoft Windows operating system, Windows 8 officially debuted on October 26th, 2012 following a...
1 min read
MACDefender
Vangie Beal
MACDefender, or Mac Defender, is a Trojan horse that first appeared in early 2011, masquerading as an antivirus program in...
2 mins read
White Screen of Death – Apple and Windows
Vangie Beal
The White Screen of Death (WSoD) or simply “White Death” refers to an error or issue with an operating system...
White Screen of Death Apple.
1 min read
iPad 2
Vangie Beal
A new handheld computing device launched by Apple, less than a year after the company first introduced the iPad. The...
1 min read
Mac OS X Snow Leopard
Vangie Beal
Apple’s Mac OS X Snow Leopard is version 10.6.x of Apple Computer’s Mac OS X operating system for Macintosh desktops...
1 min read
Mac OS X Lion
Vangie Beal
Apple’s Mac OS X Lion is version 10.7 of Apple Computer’s flagship Mac OS X operating system for Macintosh desktop...
1 min read
MCDST – Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician
Vangie Beal
Sponsored by Microsoft, the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) is an entry-level certification indicates the certificate holder demonstrates the...
1 min read
KolibriOS
Webopedia Staff
An open source operating system (OS) that fits on a single 1.44MB floppy disk and is able to run on...
1 min read
MenuetOS
Vangie Beal
An open source operating system (OS) written entirely in 32/64-bit assembly language that supports 32/64 bit x86 assembly programming for...
1 min read
Status Bar
Vangie Beal
In software the status bar is located at the bottom of the GUI (graphical user interface) that shows the user...
1 min read
ERCIM
Vangie Beal
Short for European Research Consortium for Informatics and Mathematics, it is the European host of the W3C, an international consortium...
1 min read
Kinesthetic Haptic Interfaces
Vangie Beal
Abbreviated as KHI, Kinesthetic Haptic Interfaces is a type of haptic interface that exerts controlled forces on the human body...
1 min read
Kinesthetic
Vangie Beal
In haptics it is term used to describe the perception of a mechanical interaction with a person’s body movements and...
1 min read
Tactile
Vangie Beal
In haptics it is the term used to describe the sensation of a mechanical interaction with a person’s skin (e.g....
1 min read
Domain Join
Vangie Beal
A feature in Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system that enables users to connect their home PC to a domain (e.g.,...
1 min read
Games Explorer
Vangie Beal
A feature in Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system that enables users to quickly find and manage all PC games on...
1 min read
Play To
Vangie Beal
A feature in Microsoft's Windows 7 operating system that enables users to play media, including music, photos, and videos from your PC to any devices that are connected on the network.
1 min read
Windows Touch
Vangie Beal
A feature in Microsoft’s Windows 7 operating system that enables users with a touchscreen to simply point at what they...
1 min read
Windows 7 Homegroup
Vangie Beal
In Windows 7, the HomeGroup feature makes home networking easier by letting you set up a simple password protected network...
1 min read
Bootcfg
Vangie Beal
Bootcfg is an MS DOS recovery console command. Bootcfg lets a user view and make changes to the boot.ini file.
1 min read
File Control Block (FCB)
Vangie Beal
FCB (File Control Block) is an internal file system structure used in DOS for accessing files on disk. The FCB...
1 min read
Lastdrive
Vangie Beal
A command used to specify the number of drives that can be accessed and recognized by MS DOS. For example,...
1 min read
Windows XP Mode
Vangie Beal
An add-on capability available from Microsoft for the Windows 7 operating system. Windows XP Mode is designed to provide Windows...
1 min read
Drupal
Webopedia Staff
An open source content management platform that supports a variety of Web sites ranging from personal Weblogs to large community-driven...
1 min read
Flexbook
Webopedia Staff
Derived from the words “flexibility” and “textbook”, Flexbook is a free open source textbook platform that can be used to...
1 min read
MoonOS
Vangie Beal
A Ubuntu-based distro that offers the LXDE and Enlightenment 17 desktop managers and imaginative, original artwork. The moonOS project was...
7 mins read
Windows 7 Preview: Why I Like Windows 7
Andy Rathbone
After nearly eight-years, Windows XP had grown as comfortable as an old car. Just as I d forgotten about the...
4 mins read
Google Chrome: From Browser To Operating System
Vangie Beal
Google Chrome is a Web browser developed by Google for Windows systems. The browser is designed to make Web surfing...
1 min read
AuroraUX
Vangie Beal
An open source operating system based on the OpenSolaris source base. AuroraUX is intended to be a core operating system...
2 mins read
DragonFly BSD
Vangie Beal
DragonFly BSD is a fork of FreeBSD 4.8 (June of 2003, by Matthew Dillon). It is based on the same...
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1 min read
FreeDOS
Vangie Beal
FreeDOS is a DOS-compatible operating system and package of separate programs made up of open source software, licensed under the...
1 min read
Cupcake
Vangie Beal
The codename for the first major release of the open source mobile operating system, Android. Cupcake, which bumps the software’s...
1 min read
File Replication Service
Vangie Beal
Abbreviated as FRS, File Replication service is a multithreaded, multiple-master replication engine in Microsoft Windows NT versions 3.x and 4.0....
1 min read
SYSVOL – System Volume
Vangie Beal
In Microsoft Windows, the System Volume (Sysvol) is a shared directory that stores the server copy of the domain’s public...
4 mins read
Networking With The Windows 7 Beta
Joe Moran
Amid much fanfare at last month’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Microsoft announced the availability of the first...
5 mins read
How To Use Windows Remote Desktop
Eric Geier
In this tutorial, we’ll go step-by-step to show you how to connect to a remote computer. We’ll discover the different...
1 min read
Alinux
Webopedia Staff
A Linux distribution that was created by Jay Klepacs. This distribution uses KDE as the default window system and it...
1 min read
Ubuntu
Vangie Beal
A community-developed Linux-based operating system that can be used on desktops, laptops and servers. The operating system includes a variety...
1 min read
pNFS
Webopedia Staff
Short for parallel Network File System, pNFS is a protocol extension of NFS 4.1, the first major performance upgrade to...
1 min read
Administrative Privileges
Vangie Beal
The highest level of permission that is granted to a computer user. On home computers systems, the owner is usually...
5 mins read
Distro
Vangie Beal
Short for distribution, distro is a term used to describe a specific version of Linux that is built from the...
Icon represents a Linux distro.
1 min read
Guix
Vangie Beal
(pronounced as gwicks). Slang term used to describe a Unix or Linux newbie who is so used to using a...
1 min read
Windows 7
Vangie Beal
Windows 7 made its official debut to the public on October 22, 2009 as the latest in the 25-year-old line...
1 min read
Fsck
Vangie Beal
Short for file system check, fsck is a system utility that is used to check and repair inconsistencies in Unix...
1 min read
Windows Network Setup Wizard
Vangie Beal
Windows XP has a built-in Network Setup Wizard that makes it easy to configure networking on computers running Windows 98,...
4 mins read
Windows XP Internet Connection Sharing
Webopedia Staff
Networking tips to share your broadband (or even dial-up) connection in Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) enables a Windows computer...
1 min read
Hardware Compatibility List
Vangie Beal
Abbreviated as HCL, the Hardware Compatibility List is a list of products maintained by Microsoft that note devices that have...
1 min read
OpenSolaris Project
Vangie Beal
The common term used to define the developer community around Sun Microsystems‘ open source project for the Solaris operating system....
1 min read
CUPS
Vangie Beal
Short for Common UNIX Printing System, CUPS is a portable printing layer used on UNIX-based operating systems to provide a...
1 min read
GPG
Vangie Beal
Short for GNU Privacy Guard and also abbreviated as GnuPG, GPG is the GNU project’s free software implementation of the...
1 min read
File System Object
Vangie Beal
Abbreviated as FSO, the File System Object is a tool commonly used to access the computer file system and also...
1 min read
GUI n00b
Vangie Beal
A slang term used to describe a person who is inexperienced with the design or development of graphical user interfaces...
1 min read
MAC OS X Leopard
Vangie Beal
An operating system developed by Apple_Computer.html Leopard OS is the sixth major upgrade to to Mac OS X since it...
1 min read
SELinux
Vangie Beal
Short for Security-enhanced Linux, SELinux is a Linux variation that can be fully integrated into the Linux 2.6 kernel series...
1 min read
NetBSD
Webopedia Staff
A free Unix-like Open Source operating system that is the result of a collaborative effort between a large group of...
1 min read
Boot Configuration Data
Vangie Beal
Abbreviated as BCD, Boot Configuration Data is used in Windows Vista in place of the boot.ini system file that is...
1 min read
User Account Control (UAC)
Vangie Beal
In Windows Vista, User Account Control (UAC) is a feature that was designed to prevent unauthorized changes to your computer....
1 min read
On-Screen Keyboard
Vangie Beal
) In Windows Vista the On-Screen Keyboard is an application which provides a visual keyboard on your display screen that...
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1 min read
Parental Controls
Vangie Beal
In Windows Vista, Parental Controls is a new feature designed to let parents set controls for their children’s computer use....
1 min read
Snipping Tool
Webopedia Staff
In Windows Vista the Snipping Tool can be used to capture a screenshot (or a snip) of anything on your...
1 min read
BogoMips
Vangie Beal
Derived from the words “Bogus” and “Mips”, BogoMips, when used in the context of the Linux operating system, is a...
1 min read
Versioning File System
Vangie Beal
A type of file system used for revision control that enables users to to access their file system as it...
1 min read
Shadow Copy
Vangie Beal
In some Windows operating systems, when a system restore point is requested, a shadow copy of a file or folder...
1 min read
Cryptography API: Next Generation
Vangie Beal
Abbreviated as CNG, Cryptography API: Next Generation is the long-term replacement for the CryptoAPI. CNG is intended for use by...
1 min read
Windows Meeting Space
Vangie Beal
A Microsoft Windows Vista feature for collaboration that enables face-to-face collaboration with up to nine Windows Vista users that allows...
1 min read
Windows Readyboost
Vangie Beal
A Microsoft Windows Vista feature for adding memory to a system using flash memory, such as a USB flash drive,...
1 min read
Windows Sideshow
Vangie Beal
A Microsoft Windows Vista feature that enables developers to create new and extend existing applications, called gadgets, specifically for devices...
1 min read
Server Appliance Kit
Vangie Beal
Abbreviated as SAK, the Server Appliance Kit, used with Microsoft Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server with Service Pack 2,...
9 mins read
Getting Your System Ready For Windows Vista
Vangie Beal
If you plan to upgrade to Vista, there are some things you need to consider first such as which verison,...
1 min read
Cleartype
Webopedia Staff
A Microsoft technology that is used to improve the appearance of text on your screen. It improves readability on color...
1 min read
OLE for Process Control
Webopedia Staff
Abbreviated as OPC, OLE for Process Control is a series of standards specifications. The current OPC specifications form a set...
10 mins read
Microsoft Windows Vista
Vangie Beal
For years, computer users heard of a mysterious new operating system from Microsoft, codenamed Longhorn. In 2005, Microsoft officially removed...
2 mins read
Mac OS X
Vangie Beal
Mac OS X (with X representing Roman numeral ten) is an operating system for Apple’s Macintosh computers. In addition to...
1 min read
Aero
Vangie Beal
The name given to the user interface (UI) for Windows Vista operating system. The interface is referred to as Aero...
1 min read
System Restore
Vangie Beal
System Restore is a feature first introduced in Windows XP. It allows users to restore their computers to a previous...
1 min read
Windows Photo Gallery
Vangie Beal
A Windows Vista tool that allows you to organize, find, and view photos and videos. Additionally, Windows Photo Gallery also...
1 min read
Windows Sidebar
Vangie Beal
Windows Sidebar is a pane on the side of the Windows Vista desktop that organizes gadgets (mini-applications with a wide...
1 min read
BitLocker Hard Drive Encryption
Vangie Beal
A hard drive encryption tool in Microsoft Windows that began with Windows Vista Enterprise and Ultimate. BitLocker addresses threats of...
1 min read
Microsoft Operations Manager
Webopedia Staff
Abbreviated as MOM, Microsoft Operations Manager is a network monitoring application that provides event and performance management, application monitoring and...
1 min read
Linerd
Vangie Beal
Slang term used to describe a Linux enthusiast — a geek whose interests are deeply embedded in Linux. It is...
1 min read
RDP
Vangie Beal
Abbreviated as RDP, the Microsoft Remote Desktop Protocol is a multi-channel protocol that allows a user to connect to a...
1 min read
Predictive Analysis
Vangie Beal
See data mining.
5 mins read
Remote Desktop
Brenna Miles
A remote desktop is a tool that enables users to connect to another computer from a remote location. Remote desktop...
What is a remote desktop?
1 min read
Paper Prototype
Vangie Beal
Commonly used in software development, it is a method used for testing and evaluating interfaces. While viewing the prototype(s), users...
2 mins read
PID – process identifier
Vangie Beal
1. Process identifier, also known as process ID or PID, is a unique number to identify each process running in...
1 min read
Local Area Connections
Vangie Beal
Local area connections is a phrase most often associated with Microsoft Windows Operating System(s). Typically, computers running Windows are connected...
1 min read
Task Manager
Vangie Beal
Task Manager is a Windows feature that provides details about programs and processes running on your computer. It also displays...
1 min read
Joliet
Webopedia Staff
Joliet is an extension of the ISO 9660 standard, which allows long filenames and other modern features. It is used...
1 min read
USMT – User State Migration Tools
Vangie Beal
Short for User State Migration Tools, it is a tool that allows a system administrator to migrate user configuration setting...
1 min read
ScreenTip
Vangie Beal
A graphical user interface (GUI) feature in which a small text box appears when a mouse pointer is hovered over...
1 min read
Network Load Balancing
Vangie Beal
Network Load Balancing (NLB) is a clustering technology offered by Microsoft as part of all Windows 2000 Server and Windows...
1 min read
Microsoft Management Console
Vangie Beal
Microsoft Management Console (MMC) is an application that developers use to write tools (called snap-ins) for administering Windows-based environments. The...
1 min read
Software Package
Webopedia Staff
(1) A special method of distributing and installing software (or software upgrades) to a computer. For example, on a Macintosh...
1 min read
Reimage
Vangie Beal
Reimage is the process of removing all software on a computer and reinstalling everything. A reimage is necessary if your...
1 min read
Taskbar
Vangie Beal
In GUI interfaces, the taskbar is a desktop toolbar application that lets you perform tasks such as switching between open...
1 min read
GINA
Vangie Beal
Short for Graphical Identification and Authentication dynamic-link library (DLL). The GINA is a replaceable DLL component that is loaded by...
1 min read
Winlogon
Vangie Beal
A component of the Windows operating system that provides interactive logon support. Winlogon is designed around an interactive logon model...
2 mins read
Windows Genuine Advantage
Vangie Beal
The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program is part of what Microsoft describes as its on-going effort to protect its customers...
1 min read
Windows Vista
Vangie Beal
Windows Vista (formerly code named Longhorn) is the next evolution of Microsoft’s operating system. Vista offers an advancement in reliability,...
1 min read
iDisk
Vangie Beal
iDisk is a service offered by Apple, which is touted as a personal hard disk on the Internet. iDisk allows...
1 min read
Modal Window
Vangie Beal
A modal window is any type of window that is a child (secondary window) to a parent window and usurps...
1 min read
Modeless Window
Webopedia Staff
Similar to a modal window, a modeless window is a feature that was first introduced in Internet Explorer 5. It...
1 min read
GTK+
Vangie Beal
GTK+ is a multi-platform toolkit for creating graphical user interfaces (GUIs). GTK+ is suitable for projects ranging from small one-off...
1 min read
ipconfig
Vangie Beal
Ipconfig (sometimes written as IPCONFIG) is a command line tool used to control the network connections on Windows NT/2000/XP machines....
1 min read
AGP Pro
Vangie Beal
AGP Pro is an extension to the AGP interface specification that meets the needs of advanced workstation graphics. This specification...
6 mins read
The Windows System Registry
Vangie Beal
The system registry is one of the most important parts of a Windows-based computer system. Not to be tampered with...
1 min read
MSCONFIG
Vangie Beal
Built into Windows 98, 98SE, ME, and XP, MSCONFIG or the Microsoft System Configuration Utility is a tool designed to...
1 min read
Ldifde
Vangie Beal
Ldifde creates, modifies, and deletes directory objects on computers running Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional. You...
1 min read
loupe
Vangie Beal
Loupe is a utility that displays a magnified view of whatever is beneath the mouse cursor, much like a jeweler or printer loupe.
1 min read
Slackware Linux
Vangie Beal
Slackware Linux is a complete 32-bit multitasking UNIX-like system. It is currently based around the 2.4 Linux kernel series and...
1 min read
Avatar
Vangie Beal
The most common use of the phrase avatar is used to mean a virtual representation of a player in a...
1 min read
Directplay
Vangie Beal
Intended for computer game development, Microsoft DirectPlay is a media-independent networking API that provides networking services at the transport protocol...
1 min read
Bash
Webopedia Staff
Bash is the shell, or command language interpreter, that will appear in the GNU operating system. Bash is an sh-compatible...
1 min read
Pinned Item List
Vangie Beal
The list of programs on the Start menu in the Microsoft Windows OS is divided into two parts: the programs...
1 min read
Drill Through
Vangie Beal
(v.) Drill through is a term used to describe the act of exploring or browsing items like folders, files or...
1 min read
SUS – Software Update Services
Vangie Beal
Acronym for Software Update Services Also called Microsoft SUS, this is a free patch management tool provided by Microsoft to...
1 min read
Task Pane
Webopedia Staff
A Task Pane is a new feature included in Microsoft Office XP. It is a dockable dialog window that gives...
1 min read
Backfile Conversion
Webopedia Staff
Backfile conversion is the act of replacing large volumes of documents with digital images. Generally backfile conversion consists of digitizing...
2 mins read
ADS
Webopedia Staff
Pronounced as separate letters, ADS is an acronym for alternate data stream. An ADS is a function of Microsoft Windows...
1 min read
Last Known Good Configuration
Webopedia Staff
(n.) In versions NT and later of the Windows operating system (OS), a copy of a system’s hardware configuration and...
1 min read
Shell Enhancement
Webopedia Staff
(n.) An enhancement made to a shell, or user interface, that affects the user’s experience with an application or operating...
1 min read
WOW
Webopedia Staff
Short for Win16 on Win32, a collection of programs in Windows NT and later operating systems that allows 16-bit applications...
1 min read
TLB
Webopedia Staff
Short for translation look-aside buffer, a table in the processor s memory that contains information about the pages in memory...
2 mins read
MFT – Master File Table
Vangie Beal
Short for Master File Table, a file that contains information in the form of 1024-byte records about every other file...
1 min read
System Disk
Webopedia Staff
Another name for a bootable diskette, a floppy disk (or CD-ROM) that a computer can use to boot the operating...
1 min read
ASD Agent
Webopedia Staff
Short for Automatic Skip Driver Agent, a utility in the Windows 98 and Me operating systems that monitors the loading...
1 min read
ASX
Webopedia Staff
Short for ASF Streaming Redirector file, a Windows Media container file. ASX is an XML redirector file for ASF. ASX...
1 min read
Metafile
Webopedia Staff
A file that contains other files or information that describes another file.
1 min read
Disk Thrashing
Webopedia Staff
In systems that use virtual memory, the resulting condition of a hard drive being used excessively for virtual memory because...
1 min read
Blue Screen Of Death
Webopedia Staff
Abbreviated BSOD, an error that can appear on computers running in a Windows environment. This includes even the earliest versions...
1 min read
LILO – Linux Loader
Webopedia Staff
Short for Linux Loader, a general purpose boot loader used to boot the Linux operating system. LILO can be configured...
1 min read
Colophon
Webopedia Staff
When used in reference to Web sites, a colophonis a description of the tools, systems and resources used to create...
1 min read
Multiple Document Interface
Webopedia Staff
Multiple Document Interface (MDI) is a Windows API that enables programmers to easily create applications with multiple windows. Each MDI...
1 min read
Contextual Menu
Webopedia Staff
When using an application or an operating system, the menu that appears when you click on the right-hand button of...
1 min read
ICF
Webopedia Staff
Short for Internet Connection Firewall, a feature of the Windows XP operating system. The ICF is a firewall that protects...
1 min read
JBOSS
Webopedia Staff
An application server written in Java that can host business components developed in Java. Essentially, JBOSS is an open source...
1 min read
Class Library
Webopedia Staff
A collection of prewritten, ready-made software routines that act as templates for programmers to use in writing object-oriented application programs....
1 min read
Mono (Mono Project)
Webopedia Staff
(1) Also referred to as the Mono Project, a development initiative sponsored by Ximian to create an open source Unix...
1 min read
Debian
Webopedia Staff
Pronounced “deb-EE-uhn.” Short for Debian GNU/Linux or Debian GNU/Hurd, it is an open source operating system that uses the Linux...
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1 min read
Pluggable Authentication Module
Webopedia Staff
A UNIX programming interface that enables third-party security methods to be used. By using PAM, multiple authentication technologies, such as...
1 min read
Tru64
Webopedia Staff
A UNIX operating system from Compaq.
1 min read
Widget
Vangie Beal
Pronounced wih-jit. (1) Widget is a generic term for the part of a GUI that allows the user to interface...
1 min read
Remote Access Service
Webopedia Staff
A feature built into Windows NT that enables users to log into an NT-based LAN using a modem, X.25 connection...
1 min read
SID
Vangie Beal
Short for security identifier, a security feature of the Windows NT and 2000 operating systems. The SID is a unique...
1 min read
TCP Wrapper
Webopedia Staff
A computer program that provides firewall services to UNIX users on a network by monitoring incoming packets to determine if...
1 min read
Grep
Webopedia Staff
Short for global-regular-expression-print, a UNIX utility that allows the user to search one or more files for a specific string...
1 min read
Haxie
Webopedia Staff
Formed from the combination of the words hack and Mac OS X, a haxie is a hack specifically designed for...
1 min read
HPFS
Webopedia Staff
Short for High Performance File System, a file system created specifically for IBM s OS/2 to improve upon the limitations...
1 min read
CHMOD
Webopedia Staff
Short for change mode, chmod is a UNIX command that changes the access permissions of files or directories in order...
1 min read
SP
Webopedia Staff
Short for stack page, a reserved space in Windows of 4K of memory that a 32-bit device driver uses to...
1 min read
Favicon
Webopedia Staff
Short for favorite icon, a customized icon that is used by Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) versions 5.0 and later. When...
2 mins read
GUID
Vangie Beal
  By Vangie Beal What is a GUID? A Globally Unique Identifier (GUID) is a unique ID that is computed...
1 min read
Tarball
Webopedia Staff
An archive of files created with the Unix tar utility. Source-code distributions have been packaged as tarballs since the mid...
1 min read
WHQL
Webopedia Staff
Short for Windows Hardware Quality Labs, a Microsoft facility that tests and certifies third-party hardware and driver products for compatibility...
1 min read
Toolbar
Webopedia Staff
A series of selectable buttons in a GUI that give the user an easy way to select desktop, application or...
1 min read
Fork
Webopedia Staff
To split source code into different development directions. Forking leads to the development of different versions of a program. Forking...
1 min read
HCI – human-computer Interaction
Vangie Beal
Short for human-computer Interaction, a discipline concerned with the study, design, construction and implementation of human-centric interactive computer systems. A...
2 mins read
HWID (Hardware Identification)
Vangie Beal
Short for Hardware Identification or hardware ID, an HWID is a security measure used by Microsoft upon the activation of...
How to locate a hardware ID (HWID) on Windows.
1 min read
Safe Mode
Webopedia Staff
A specific way for the Windows operating system to load when there is a system-critical problem interfering with the normal...
1 min read
LAMP
Vangie Beal
Short for Linux, Apache, MySQL and PHP, an open-source Web development platform, also called a Web stack, that uses Linux...
1 min read
EFS
Webopedia Staff
Short for Encrypting File System, part of the Microsoft NTFS file system. EFS is a transparent public key encryption technology...
1 min read
Qubit
Webopedia Staff
A quantum bit. The smallest unit of information in quantum computing. Qubits hold an exponentially larger amount of information than...
2 mins read
Gesture Recognition
Webopedia Staff
Interface with computers using gestures of the human body, typically hand movements. In gesture recognition technology, a camera reads the...
1 min read
IP Masquerade
Webopedia Staff
A Linux networking function. IP Masquerade, also called IPMASQ or MASQ, allows one or more computers in a network without...
1 min read
Data Glove
Webopedia Staff
A glove equipped with sensors that sense the movements of the hand and interfaces those movements with a computer. Data...
1 min read
Haptic Interface
Webopedia Staff
Communication, or interface, with a computer through a tactile method involving a device that senses body movement, such as a...
1 min read
Haptic
Vangie Beal
(adj.) Of or relating to the sensation of touch. From the Greek haptesthai, to touch. Haptics is the science of...
8 mins read
Windows XP
Vangie Beal
Windows XP is an operating system that Microsoft introduced in 2001. It served as an innovation of the Windows NT...
Original Microsoft Windows XP logo.
1 min read
MCSE
Webopedia Staff
Short for Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, a certification given by Microsoft that indicates the recipient has gone through a specific...
1 min read
NTLDR – NT Loader
Webopedia Staff
Short for NT Loader, a program loaded from the hard drive boot sector that displays the Microsoft Windows NTstartup menu...
2 mins read
Zombie
Webopedia Staff
A zombie is a computer that has been implanted with a daemon that puts it under the control of a...
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1 min read
DOS Protected Mode Interface (DPMI)
Webopedia Staff
Created for Windows version 3.0, DOS Protected Mode Interface (DPMI) is an industry standard for an interface that allows DOS...
1 min read
Journaled File System
Webopedia Staff
A file system in which the hard disk maintains data integrity in the event of a system crash or if...
1 min read
Win.com
Webopedia Staff
Win.com is the executable file responsible for Windows start-up. It runs after the autoexec.bat file is processed, and it accesses...
1 min read
KDE – K Desktop Environment
Webopedia Staff
K Desktop Environment (KDE) is a network-transparent contemporary desktop environment for UNIX workstations. KDE is part of the free software,...
1 min read
Network Transparency
Webopedia Staff
A condition in which an operating system or other service allows the user access to a remote resource through a...
1 min read
(GNOME) GNU Network Object Model Environment
Vangie Beal
Acronym for GNU Network Object Model Environment. (Pronounced guh-nome.) GNOME is part of the GNU project and part of the...
1 min read
System Tray
Vangie Beal
Introduced with Windows 95, the system tray is located in the Windows Taskbar (usually at the bottom next to the...
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1 min read
Inode
Vangie Beal
( n d) (n.) Data structures that contain information about files in Unix file systems that are created when a...
1 min read
NDMP – Network Data Management Protocol
Webopedia Staff
Network Data Management Protocol (NDMP) is a protocol pioneered by Intelliguard and Network Appliance that defines a common architecture for...
1 min read
CPM
Webopedia Staff
(1) Short for Critical Path Method. (2) Short for cost per thousand. The letter “M” in the abbreviation is the...
1 min read
Allocated Memory
Webopedia Staff
Is the amount of RAMallotted to different programs and applications. The amount of allocated memory is preset when you install...
1 min read
Mouseover
Webopedia Staff
A JavaScript element that triggers a change on an item (typically a graphic change, such as making an image or...
1 min read
Bin
Webopedia Staff
From BINary — A name for directories that contain files stored in binary format— computer-readable but not human-readable files.
1 min read
Motif
Webopedia Staff
A set of user interface guidelines created by the Open Software Foundation (www.opengroup.org) that specify how an application should look...
1 min read
Cron
Webopedia Staff
A Unix command for scheduling jobs to be executed sometime in the future. A cron is normally used to schedule...
1 min read
Clock Tick
Webopedia Staff
Same as a cycle, the smallest unit of time recognized by a device. For personal computers, clock ticks generally refer...
1 min read
UMB
Webopedia Staff
Short for upper memory block, a block of memory in the DOS upper memory area (UMA). UMBs are allocated and...
1 min read
WIMP
Webopedia Staff
Short for Windows, Icons, Menus and Pointing device, the type of user interface made famous by the Macintosh computer and...
1 min read
Orphan File
Webopedia Staff
An orphan file is a file that no longer has a purpose. For example, when you uninstall an application, a...
1 min read
MSCS
Webopedia Staff
Short for Microsoft Cluster Server, a clustering technology built into Windows NT 4.0 and later versions. MSCS supports clustering of...
1 min read
Bootable Diskette
Webopedia Staff
A diskette from which you can boot your computer. Normally, your computer boots from a hard disk, but if the...
1 min read
MMU
Webopedia Staff
Short for memory management unit, the hardware component that manages virtual memory systems. Typically, the MMU is part of the...
1 min read
Invalid Page Fault
Webopedia Staff
An invalid page fault is a type of page fault that produces an error. Page fault errors can occur for...
1 min read
Page Fault
Webopedia Staff
An interrupt that occurs when a program requests data that is not currently in real memory. The interrupt triggers the...
1 min read
himem.sys
Webopedia Staff
An extended memory (XMS) driver included with DOS, Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups and Windows 95. Windows 95 automatically loads...
1 min read
Windows 98
Webopedia Staff
Originally it was called Memphis, and then Windows 97,but Microsoft changed the name when it realized that it was going...
1 min read
Windows DNA
Webopedia Staff
Short for Windows Distributed interNet Applications Architecture, a marketing name for a collection of Microsoft technologies that enable the Windows...
1 min read
Low Memory
Webopedia Staff
In DOS systems, the first 640K of memory. This portion of memory is reserved for applications, device drivers, and memory-resident...
1 min read
FTS file
Webopedia Staff
A hidden index file ending in a .fts (full-text search) extension used by the Windows 95 and NT Help system....
1 min read
GID file
Webopedia Staff
A hidden Windows 95 configuration file, ending with a .gid extension, used by the Windows Help system. The first time...
1 min read
VSAM
Webopedia Staff
Short for Virtual Storage Access Method, a file management system used on IBM mainframes. VSAM speeds up access to data...
1 min read
Man Page
Webopedia Staff
Short for manual page, a page of on-line documentation in UNIX systems. Every UNIX command, utility, and library function has...
1 min read
Mac OS
Webopedia Staff
The official name of the Macintosh operating system. Earlier versions were called System x.x, where x.x were the version numbers....
1 min read
UNC
Vangie Beal
Short for Universal Naming Convention or Uniform Naming Convention, a PC format for specifying the location of resources on a...
1 min read
DCC
Webopedia Staff
Short for Direct Cable Connection, a Windows 95 feature that enables two computers to be connected via a serial or...
2 mins read
Network Neighborhood
Vangie Beal
Network Neighborhood, also known as My Network Places, was the network browser feature of Microsoft Windows used to browse network...
1 min read
POSIX
Webopedia Staff
Acronym for Portable Operating System Interface for UNIX, a set of IEEE and ISO standards that define an interface between...
1 min read
Recycle Bin
Webopedia Staff
(r -s k&l bin) (n.) The recycle bin is an icon on the Windows desktop that represents a directory where...
1 min read
MBR
Webopedia Staff
Short for Master Boot Record, a small program that is executed when a computer boots up. Typically, the MBR resides...
1 min read
Shortcut
Vangie Beal
A shortcut is a special type of file in some operating systems that points to another file or device. You...
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1 min read
Wintel
Webopedia Staff
Refers to the combination of the Windows operating system running on Intel microprocessors. The term is often used sarcastically to...
1 min read
Win32
Vangie Beal
The Windows API for developing 32-bit applications. Win32 is built into Windows 95 and Windows NT so applications that rely...
1 min read
Win32s
Webopedia Staff
Short for WIN32 subset, a software package that can be added to Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups systems to...
1 min read
OCX – OLE Control Extension
Webopedia Staff
Short for OLE Control Extension, an independent program module that can be accessed by other programs in a Windows environment....
1 min read
UUCP – Unix-to-Unix Copy
Webopedia Staff
Short for Unix-to-Unix Copy, a Unix utility and protocol that enables one computer to send files to another computer over...
1 min read
GNU
Webopedia Staff
Self-referentially, short for GNU’s not UNIX, a UNIX-compatible software system developed by the Free Software Foundation (FSF). The philosophy behind...
1 min read
OS/9
Webopedia Staff
A real-time, multi-user, multitasking operating system developed by Microware Systems Corporation. Originally, OS-9 was a joint effort between Microware and...
1 min read
Document Management
Webopedia Staff
The computerized management of electronic as well as paper-based documents. Document management systems generally include the following components: An optical...
1 min read
ACPI
Vangie Beal
Short for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface, a power management specification developed by Intel, Microsoft, and Toshiba. ACPI, which will...
1 min read
ESCD
Webopedia Staff
Short for Extended System Configuration Data, a format for storing information about Plug-and-Play (PnP) devices in the BIOS. Windows and...
1 min read
Wolfpack
Webopedia Staff
The codename for Microsoft’s clustering solution. Wolfpack was released in September, 1997 as part of Windows NT 4.0, enterprise Edition....
1 min read
MIF
Webopedia Staff
Short for Management Information Format, a format used to describe a hardware or software component. MIF files are used by...
1 min read
Form
Vangie Beal
A formatted document containing blank fields that users can fill in with data. With paper forms, it is usually necessary...
1 min read
OSR 2
Webopedia Staff
Short for OEM Service Release 2, a new version of Windows 95 released at the end of 1996. Also called...
8 mins read
Kernel
Vangie Beal
The kernel is the central module of an operating system (OS) responsible for memory management, process and task management, and...
Kernel icon.
1 min read
DirectX
Webopedia Staff
A set of APIs developed by Microsoft that enables programmers to write programs that access hardware features of a computer...
1 min read
Windows Internet Naming Service Definition
Webopedia Staff
Short for Windows Internet Naming Service, WINS is a system that determines the IP address associated with a particular network...
1 min read
BSDI – Berkeley Software Design
Webopedia Staff
Short for Berkeley Software Design, Inc., BSDI is a commercial supplier of Internet and networking software based on the BSD...
1 min read
PIF – Program Information file
Webopedia Staff
Short for Program Information file, a type of file that holds information about how Windows should run a non-Windows application....
2 mins read
Daemon
Vangie Beal
Daemon is a program that continuously runs as a background process rather than being under the direct control of an...
1 min read
Solaris
Webopedia Staff
An Unix-based operating environment developed by Sun Microsystems. Originally developed to run on Sun’s SPARC workstations, Solaris now runs on...
1 min read
VFAT
Webopedia Staff
Short for Virtual File Allocation Table, a virtual installable files system driver used in Windows for Workgroups and Windows 95....
1 min read
GPF
Webopedia Staff
Short for General Protection Fault, a computer condition that causes a Windows application to crash. The most common cause of...
7 mins read
NFS
Aminu Abdullahi
A network file system (NFS) is a client/server application that allows users to access shared files stored on computers within...
Icon represents NFS (network file system).
1 min read
NTFS – NT File System
Vangie Beal
(pronounced as separate letters) Short for NT File System, one of the file systems for the Windows NT operating system...
1 min read
ISAM
Webopedia Staff
Abbreviation for Indexed Sequential Access Method, a method for managing how a computer accesses records and files stored on a...
1 min read
CUA
Webopedia Staff
Short for Common User Access, a set standards for user interfaces developed by IBM. CUA is one component of the...
1 min read
Registry
Webopedia Staff
A database used by the Windows operating system (Windows 95 and NT ) to store configurationinformation. The Registry consists of...
1 min read
VCPI
Webopedia Staff
Short for Virtual Control Program Interface, a specification for managing memory beyond the first megabyte on PCs with 80386 or...
1 min read
DLL
Vangie Beal
1) Short for Dynamic Link Library, a library of executable functions or data that can be used by a Windows...
1 min read
Windows CE
Webopedia Staff
A version of the Windows operating system designed for small devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs) (or Handheld PCs...
1 min read
FreeBSD
Webopedia Staff
A popular and free version of the UNIX operating system that runs on x86-compatible, DEC Alpha, PC-98, AMD64, IA64 and...
1 min read
Linux
Vangie Beal
Pronounced lee-nucks or lih-nucks. A freely-distributable open source operating system that runs on a number of hardware platforms. The Linux...
1 min read
Control
Webopedia Staff
Control is the term used to describe an object in a window or dialog box. Examples of controls include push-buttons,...
1 min read
Apple key
Vangie Beal
A special key on Macintosh computers labeled with the Apple logo.
1 min read
X-Window
Vangie Beal
A windowing and graphics system developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).
1 min read
.INI File
Webopedia Staff
Pronounced dot -in-ee file, a file that has a.INI extension and contains configuration information for MS-Windows. Two.INI files, WIN.INI and...
1 min read
A/UX
Webopedia Staff
Pronounced ox, Apple’s version of UNIX, which runs on some versions of the Macintosh.
1 min read
Address Space
Webopedia Staff
The set of all legal addresses in memory for a given application. The address space represents the amount of memory...
1 min read
AIX
Webopedia Staff
Acronym for Advanced Interactive eXecutive, a version of UNIX produced by IBM. AIX runs on a variety of computers, including...
1 min read
Alert Box
Webopedia Staff
(n.) A small box that appears on the display screen to give you information or to warn you about a...
1 min read
Alias
Webopedia Staff
(n.) An alternative name for an object, such as a variable, file, or device. On Macintoshes, you can assign aliases...
1 min read
Amiga
Vangie Beal
A family of personal computers originally produced by Commodore Business Machines. Amigas are powerful personal computers that have extra microprocessors...
1 min read
ANSI.SYS
Vangie Beal
Pronounced ann-see-dot -siss, the name of a DOS device driver that makes a monitor conform to the ANSI standard. The...
2 mins read
Apple Computer
Webopedia Staff
A personal computer company founded in 1976 by Steven Jobs and Steve Wozniak. Throughout the history of personal computing, Apple...
1 min read
Autoexec.bat
Webopedia Staff
Stands for automatically executed batch file, the file that DOS automatically executes when a computer boots up. This is a...
1 min read
Autosave
Webopedia Staff
A feature supported by many applications in which the program automatically saves data files at predetermined intervals. This is an...
1 min read
BAT file (.BAT)
Webopedia Staff
In DOS systems, batch files files that contain a sequence, or batch, of commands are often called BAT files because...
1 min read
Bit-Mapped Graphics
Webopedia Staff
)Refers to hardware and software that represent graphics images as bit maps. The other method for representing images is known...
Image
1 min read
Box
Webopedia Staff
(1) In graphical user interfaces, a box is an enclosed area, resembling a window, on the screen. Unlike windows, however,...
1 min read
Branch
Webopedia Staff
In tree structures, a branch is a single line of the tree that ends with a leaf. The Windows File...
1 min read
Button
Webopedia Staff
)(1) In graphical user interfaces, a button is a small outlined area in a dialog box that you can click...
Image
1 min read
Cascading Windows
Webopedia Staff
An arrangement of windows such that they overlap one another. Typically, the title bar remains visible so that you can...
1 min read
Cdev
Webopedia Staff
Short for control panel device, and pronounced see-dev, a cdev is a special type of Macintosh utility that enables you...
1 min read
Character-Based
Webopedia Staff
What Does Character-Based Mean? Character-based describes programs capable of displaying only ASCII (and extended ASCII) characters. Character-based programs treat a...
1 min read
Check Box
Webopedia Staff
In graphical user interfaces, a box that you can click to turn an option on or off. When the option...
1 min read
Choose
Webopedia Staff
To pick a command or option. To choose a menu command or command button in a graphical user interface, you...
1 min read
Chooser
Webopedia Staff
A Macintosh desk accessory (DA) that enables you to select and configure printers and network devices, such as file servers.
1 min read
Click
Webopedia Staff
(v) To tap on a mouse button, pressing it down and then immediately releasing it. Note that clicking a mouse...
1 min read
Clipboard
Vangie Beal
A special file or memory area (buffer) where data is stored temporarily before being copied to another location. Many word...
1 min read
Collapse
Webopedia Staff
)To compress a view of a hierarchy so that only the roots of each branch are visible. The opposite of...
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1 min read
COM file
Webopedia Staff
In DOS environments, a COM file is an executable command file with a.COM filename extension. COM files can be directly...
1 min read
COMMand.COM
Webopedia Staff
The DOS file that contains the DOS command processor.
1 min read
Command Driven
Webopedia Staff
Refers to programs and operating systems that accept commands in the form of special words or letters. In contrast, programs...
1 min read
Command Key
Webopedia Staff
Macintosh computers have a special command key marked by a four-leaf clover or an apple. The Command key is similar...
1 min read
CONFIG.SYS
Webopedia Staff
CONFIG.SYS is the configuration file for DOS systems. Whenever a DOS computer boots up, it reads the CONFIG.SYS file (if...
1 min read
Context Sensitive
Webopedia Staff
Refers to a program feature that changes depending on what you are doing in the program. For example, context-sensitive help...
1 min read
Control Key Combination
Webopedia Staff
A command issued by pressing a keyboard character in conjunction with the Control key. Manuals usually represent control key commands...
1 min read
Control Panel
Webopedia Staff
A Macintosh utility that permits you to set many of the system parameters. For example, you can control the type...
1 min read
Copy
Webopedia Staff
(v) (1) To copy a piece of data to a temporary location. In word processing, for example, copying refers to...
1 min read
Current
Webopedia Staff
Refers to an object that is acting as a reference point. For example, the current directory is the same as...
1 min read
Cursor Control Keys
Webopedia Staff
Special keys on computer keyboards that move the cursor. The arrow keys, for example, move the cursor up, down, right,...
1 min read
Cursor Position
Vangie Beal
The position of the cursor on the display screen. While in text mode, a display screen is capable of displaying...
1 min read
Cursor
Vangie Beal
A cursor is a special symbol, usually a solid rectangle or a blinking underline character, that signifies where the next...
Image
4 mins read
Customer Support
Webopedia Staff
When you hear the term customer support, you might picture someone in a headset answering calls or replying to emails....
1 min read
DDE
Webopedia Staff
Acronym for Dynamic Data Exchange, an interprocess communication (IPC) system built into the Macintosh, Windows, and OS/2 operating systems. DDE...
1 min read
Default
Webopedia Staff
A value or setting that a device or program automatically selects if you do not specify a substitute. For example,...
2 mins read
Delete
Vangie Beal
Delete refers to the act of removing or erasing content from a file directory, application, or device. Unlike cutting, deleting...
1 min read
Demand Paging
Webopedia Staff
In virtual memory systems, demand paging is a type of swapping in which pages of data are not copied from...
1 min read
desk accessory (DA)
Webopedia Staff
On Apple Macintosh computers, desk accessory (DA) is a utility — that is, a small, stand-alone program designed to perform...
1 min read
Desktop
Vangie Beal
(1) In graphical user interfaces, a desktop is the metaphor used to portray file systems. Such a desktop consists of...
1 min read
Dialog Box
Vangie Beal
)A box that appears on a display screen to present information or request input. Typically, dialog boxes are temporary —...
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2 mins read
Directory
Vangie Beal
A directory is a location for storing files on a computer. It’s a file system cataloging structure that contains references...
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2 mins read
Documentation
Webopedia Staff
Instructions for using a computer device or program. Documentation can appear in a variety of forms, the most common being...
2 mins read
Disk Operating System (DOS)
Vangie Beal
Short for disk operating system, DOS refers to the original operating system developed by Microsoft for IBM, sometimes also referred...
1 min read
Dot
Webopedia Staff
(1) Dot is the same as the period character (.). In DOS, Windows, and OS/2 systems, the dot is used...
1 min read
Double Click
Webopedia Staff
Double click means tapping a mouse button twice in rapid succession. Note that the second click must immediately follow the...
1 min read
DPI – dots per inch
Vangie Beal
Abbreviation of dots per inch, which indicates the resolution of images. The more dots per inch, the higher the resolution....
1 min read
Drag-and-Drop
Webopedia Staff
Describes applications that allow you to drag objects to specific locations on the screen to perform actions on them. For...
1 min read
Drag
Webopedia Staff
(1) In graphical user interfaces, drag refers to moving an icon or other image on a display screen. To drag...
1 min read
EEMS – Enhanced Expanded Memory Specification
Webopedia Staff
Abbreviation of Enhanced Expanded Memory Specification, an enhanced version of the original EMS, which enables DOS applications to use more...
1 min read
Ergonomics
Vangie Beal
The science concerned with designing safe and comfortable machines for humans. For example, one branch of ergonomics deals with designing...
1 min read
EXE file
Webopedia Staff
Pronounced ee-ex-ee file. In DOS and Windows systems, an EXE file is an executable file with an .EXE extension.
2 mins read
EMS – Expanded Memory Specification
Webopedia Staff
Expanded Memory Specification (EMS), or expanded memory, is a technique for utilizing more than 1MB of main memory in DOS...
1 min read
Extended Memory
Webopedia Staff
Memory above and beyond the standard 1MB (megabyte) of main memory that DOS supports. Extended memory is only available in...
1 min read
Extension
Webopedia Staff
(1) An extra feature added to a standard programming language or system. (2) In DOS and some other operating systems,...
1 min read
External Command
Webopedia Staff
In DOS systems, any command that does not reside in the COMMAND.COM file. This includes all other COM files, as...
1 min read
File Allocation Table (FAT)
Vangie Beal
A table that the operating system uses to locate files on a disk. Due to fragmentation, a file may be...
2 mins read
File-Based Data Management System
Kaiti Norton
A file-based data management system (also called a file system) is a type of software that allows users to access...
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1 min read
Filename
Vangie Beal
The name of a file. All files have names. Different operating systems impose different restrictions on filenames. Most operating systems,...
1 min read
Finder
Webopedia Staff
The desktop management and file management system for Apple Macintosh computers. In addition to managing files and disks, the Finder...
1 min read
Floating
Webopedia Staff
(adj.) In graphical user interfaces, floating refers to application elements that you can move to different places. Many applications support...
1 min read
Folder
Vangie Beal
In graphical user interfaces such as Windows and the Macintosh environment, a folder is an object that can contain multiple...
1 min read
Foreground
Webopedia Staff
(n.) (1) In multiprocessing systems, the process that is currently accepting input from the keyboard or other input device is...
2 mins read
GUI
Vangie Beal
A graphical user interface (GUI, pronounced gooey) is an interface program that allows users to interact with a computer through...
1 min read
Hard Copy
Webopedia Staff
Hard copy means a printout of data stored in a computer. It is considered hard because it exists physically on...
1 min read
Hidden File
Webopedia Staff
A file with a special hidden attribute turned on, so that the file is not normally visible to users. For...
1 min read
High Memory Area
Webopedia Staff
In DOS -based systems, the high memory area refers to the first 64K of extended memory.
1 min read
Highlight
Webopedia Staff
To make an object on a display screen stand out by displaying it in a different mode from other objects....
1 min read
Hot Key
Webopedia Staff
A user -defined key sequence that executes a command or causes the operating system to switch to another program. In...
1 min read
Hot Spot
Webopedia Staff
An area of a graphics object, or a section of text, that activates a function when selected. Hot spots are...
1 min read
I-Beam Pointer
Webopedia Staff
)A pointer shaped like a capital I used in graphics-based text processing applications. Many desktop publishing systems and word processors...
Image
1 min read
Icon
Vangie Beal
A small picture that represents an object or program. Icons are very useful in applications that use windows, because with...
1 min read
Insertion Point
Vangie Beal
In graphics-based programs, the insertion point is the point where the next characters typed from the keyboard will appear on...
1 min read
Interactive
Webopedia Staff
Accepting input from a human. Interactive computer systems are programs that allow users to enter data or commands. Most popular...
1 min read
Internal Command
Webopedia Staff
In DOS systems, an internal command is any command that resides in the COMMAND.COM file. This includes the most common...
1 min read
interprocess communication (IPC)
Vangie Beal
A capability supported by some operating systems that allows one process to communicate with another process. The processes can be...
1 min read
Keystroke
Webopedia Staff
Keystroke means the pressing of a key. The efficiency of software programs is sometimes measured by the number of keystrokes...
1 min read
Learn Mode
Webopedia Staff
A mode in which a program learns. The term is usually used to describe a process of defining macros. Once...
1 min read
Light Bar
Webopedia Staff
On a display screen, a highlighted region that indicates a selected component in a menu. The light bar can be...
1 min read
LIM memory
Webopedia Staff
A technique for adding memory to DOS systems. LIM memory lets you exceed the 1MB (megabyte) memory limit imposed by...
1 min read
Lock
Webopedia Staff
(1) To make a file or other piece of data inaccessible. File locking is a critical component of all multi-user...
1 min read
Look-and-Feel
Webopedia Staff
Refers to the general appearance and operation of a user interface. This is a hot legal issue because some software...
1 min read
Maximize
Webopedia Staff
)In graphical user interfaces, to enlarge a window to its maximum size. In Windows 3.x and Macintosh environments, the buttons...
Image
1 min read
Menu Bar
Webopedia Staff
)A horizontal menu that appears on top of a window. Usually, each option in a menu bar is associated with...
Image
1 min read
Menu Driven
Webopedia Staff
Refers to programs whose user interface employs menus. The antithesis of a menu-driven program is a command-driven program.
2 mins read
Menu
Vangie Beal
A list of commands or options from which you can choose. Most applications now have a menu-driven component. You can...
1 min read
MFLOP
Webopedia Staff
Short for mega floating-point operations per second, MFLOPs are a common measure of the speed of computers used to perform...
1 min read
Microsoft Windows
Vangie Beal
A family of operating systems for personal computers. Windows dominates the personal computer world, running, by some estimates, on 90%...
1 min read
Minimize
Webopedia Staff
)In graphical user interfaces, to convert a window into an icon.
Image
1 min read
Modifier Key
Webopedia Staff
A key on a keyboard that only has a meaning when combined with another key. Examples of modifier keys include...
1 min read
Moving-Bar Menu
Webopedia Staff
A common type of menu in which options are selected by moving a highlighted bar over them. You can move...
1 min read
Multifinder
Webopedia Staff
The multitasking version of Finder for Apple Macintosh computers. This is the part of the operating system responsible for managing...
1 min read
Nanosecond
Webopedia Staff
A nanosecond is a billionth of a second. Many computer operations, such as the speed of memory chips, are measured...
1 min read
OLE
Webopedia Staff
Abbreviation of Object Linking and Embedding, pronounced as separate letters or as oh-leh. OLE is a compound document standard developed...
1 min read
Open
Webopedia Staff
(v) To make an object accessible. Whenever you access a file (that is, you edit a text file or run...
6 mins read
Operating System
Vangie Beal
An operating system (OS) is a software program that serves as the interface between other applications and the hardware on...
Operating system icon.
1 min read
Option
Webopedia Staff
(1) In command-driven interfaces, an option is an addition to a command that changes or refines the command in a...
1 min read
OS/2
Webopedia Staff
OS/2 is an operating system for PCs developed originally by Microsoft Corporation and IBM, but sold and managed solely by...
1 min read
Overlaid Windows
Webopedia Staff
Windows arranged so that they overlap each other. Overlaid windows resemble a stack of pieces of paper lying on top...
1 min read
Overwrite Mode
Webopedia Staff
Most word processors and text editors allow you to choose between two modes: overwrite and insert. In overwrite mode, every...
1 min read
Page
Webopedia Staff
In word processing, it means a page of text. Most text-processing applications recognize a hierarchy of components, starting with a...
1 min read
Paging
Vangie Beal
)A technique used by virtual memory operating systems to help ensure that the data you need is available as quickly...
Image
1 min read
Parent Directory
Webopedia Staff
Refers to the directory above another directory. Every directory, except the root directory, lies beneath another directory. The higher directory...
1 min read
Path
Webopedia Staff
)(1) In DOS and Windows systems, a path is a list of directories where the operating system looks for executable...
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1 min read
Pathname
Webopedia Staff
)A sequence of symbols and names that identifies a file. Every file has a name, called a filename, so the...
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1 min read
PC-DOS
Webopedia Staff
The name IBM uses to market its version of the DOS operating system.
1 min read
Pen Computer
Webopedia Staff
A computer that utilizes an electronic pen (called a stylus) rather than a keyboard for input. Pen computers generally require...
1 min read
Platform
Vangie Beal
The underlying hardware or software for a system. For example, the platform might be an Intel 80486 processor running DOS...
1 min read
Pointer
Webopedia Staff
)(1) In graphical user interfaces, a pointer is a small arrow or other symbol on the display screen that moves...
Image
1 min read
Pop-Up Window
Vangie Beal
A window that suddenly appears (pops up) when you select an option with a mouse or press a special function...
1 min read
Portable
Webopedia Staff
(adj.) (1) When used to describe hardware, portable means small and lightweight. A portable computer is a computer small enough...
1 min read
Power User
Webopedia Staff
A sophisticated user of personal computers. A power user is typically someone who has considerable experience with computers and utilizes...
1 min read
Prompt
Webopedia Staff
A symbol on a display screen indicating that the computer is waiting for input. Once the computer has displayed a...
1 min read
Protected Mode
Vangie Beal
Protected mode is a type of memory utilization available on Intel 80286 and later model microprocessors. In protected mode, these...
1 min read
Pull-Down Menu
Webopedia Staff
(n.) Also called a drop-down menu, a menu of commands or options that appears when you select an item with...
1 min read
Radio Buttons
Webopedia Staff
In graphical user interfaces, groups of buttons, of which only one can be on at a time. When you select...
1 min read
Readme File
Webopedia Staff
A small text file that comes with many software packages and contains information not included in the official documentation. Typically,...
1 min read
Redirection
Webopedia Staff
(1) In operating system shells, redirection refers to directing input and output to files and devices other than the default...
1 min read
Reverse Video
Webopedia Staff
A display method that causes a portion of the display to appear like a negative of the regular display. If...
1 min read
Root Directory
Webopedia Staff
)The top directory in a file system. The root directory is provided by the operating system and has a special...
Image
1 min read
Scrapbook
Webopedia Staff
In Macintosh environments, a desk accessory (DA) that enables you to store objects for future use. The Scrapbook is similar...
1 min read
Screen Saver
Webopedia Staff
A small program that takes over the display screen if there are no keystrokes or mouse movements for a specified...
1 min read
Scroll Bar
Vangie Beal
)A bar that appears on the side or bottom of a window to control which part of a list or...
Image
3 mins read
Scrolling
Webopedia Staff
The term scroll refers to the act of moving the visual portion of a web browser or application window vertically...
Image
1 min read
Select
Webopedia Staff
To choose an object so that you can manipulate it in some way. In graphical user interfaces, you usually need...
1 min read
Shell
Webopedia Staff
There are two common uses of the phrase shell: (1) Command shell(2) Another term for user interface. What is a...
1 min read
Shift Clicking
Webopedia Staff
Clicking click a mouse button while holding the Shift key down. In Microsoft Windows and Macintosh systems, shift clicking enables...
1 min read
Shortcut Key
Webopedia Staff
A special key combination that causes a specific command to be executed. Typically, shortcut keys combine the Ctrl or Alt...
1 min read
Shut Down
Webopedia Staff
(1) To turn the power off. (2) In Windows 95 and Windows 98, the normal way to turn a computer...
1 min read
Size
Webopedia Staff
To make an object larger or smaller. In graphical user interfaces, you can size windowsto make them larger or smaller....
13 mins read
What is Software?
Abby Braden
Software is a set of instructions that tells a computer how to operate. Unlike hardware, which is tangible equipment, software...
Different types of computer, from desktop to mobile phone
1 min read
Split Screen
Webopedia Staff
Division of the display screen into separate parts, each of which displays a different document, or different parts of the...
1 min read
Subdirectory
Webopedia Staff
)A directory below another directory. Every directory except the root directory is a subdirectory. In Windows 95 and Windows/NT, subdirectories...
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1 min read
Swap
Vangie Beal
(1) To replace pages or segments of data in memory. Swapping is a useful technique that enables a computer to...
1 min read
System Folder
Webopedia Staff
A standard folder on Macintoshes that contains the System and Finder programs, as well as other resources needed by the...
1 min read
Tear-Off Menu
Webopedia Staff
A pop-up menu that you can move around the screen like a window. Regular pop-up menus are attached to the...
1 min read
Tiled Windows
Webopedia Staff
Windows window arranged so that they do not overlap each other. Overlapping windows are often called overlaid or cascading windows.
1 min read
Title Bar
Webopedia Staff
A bar on top of a window. The title bar contains the name of the file or application. In many...
1 min read
TSR
Webopedia Staff
Abbreviation of terminate and stay resident. Refers to DOS programs that can be memory resident (remaining in memory at all...
1 min read
Undo
Webopedia Staff
To return to a previous state by undoing the effects of one or more commands. The undo command is a...
1 min read
Undocumented
Webopedia Staff
Refers to features that are not described in the official documentation of a product. This lack of documentation can occur...
8 mins read
UNIX
Vangie Beal
UNIX is a multi-user, multitasking operating system (OS) that was developed by Ken Thompson in 1969 at the Computing Science...
Unix
1 min read
User-Friendly
Webopedia Staff
Refers to anything that makes it easier for novices to use a computer. Menu-driven programs, for example, are considered more...
1 min read
User Interface (UI)
Webopedia Staff
Abbreviated UI, the junction between a user and a computer program. An interface is a set of commands or menus...
1 min read
User
Webopedia Staff
In computing we call an individual who uses a computer the user. This includes expert programmers as well as novices....
2 mins read
Virtual Memory
Vangie Beal
)(n.) An imaginary memory area supported by some operating systems (for example, Windows but not DOS) in conjunction with the...
Image
1 min read
Wildcard Character
Webopedia Staff
A special symbol that stands for one or more characters. Many operating systems and applications support wildcards for identifying files...
2 mins read
Window
Vangie Beal
(1) An enclosed, rectangular area on a display screen. Most modern operating systems and applications have graphical user interfaces (GUIs)...
1 min read
Windows 95
Webopedia Staff
A major release of the Microsoft Windows operating system released in 1995. Windows 95 represents a significant advance over its...
1 min read
Windows NT
Webopedia Staff
What is Windows NT? Windows NT (1993-1996) is a version of the Windows operating system. Windows NT (New Technology) is...
1 min read
Windows
Webopedia Staff
When spelled with a capital W, Windows is short for Microsoft Windows.
1 min read
Working Directory
Webopedia Staff
The directory in which you are currently working. Path names that do not start with the root directory are assumed...
1 min read
Xenix
Webopedia Staff
Xenix is a version of UNIX that runs on PCs. Xenix was developed by Microsoft Corporation and is compatible with...
1 min read
XMS
Webopedia Staff
Stands for Extended Memory Specification, a procedure developed jointly by AST Research, Intel Corporation, Lotus Development, and Microsoft Corporation for...