Operating Systems: Glossary
Definition of terms used in this chapter:
Application | A computer program that helps you perform a task for a specific purpose |
Backstage View | A centralized space for file management tasks such as opening, saving, printing, or sharing a file |
Booting | Booting is the process of turning on the computer and powering up the system |
Cloud-based | Subscription service that receives continuous updates |
Cloud Computing | Applications and services that are accessed over the internet |
Cloud Storage | Online storage of data including files and folders that allow access from different places and devices |
Cortana | Microsoft’s “personal assistant” in Windows 10 |
Data | The documents, worksheets, pictures, songs, and so on that you create and store during the day-to-day use of your computer |
Data Management | The management of files and folders for organization |
Data Security | The OS is in charge of keeping data safe inside your computer and computer programs. It sets up security features that keep unwanted cyber attackers at bay. |
Desktop | Simulation of a real desk that represents your work area |
Desktop Apps | A computer program that is installed on your PC and requires a computer operating system such as Microsoft Windows to run |
Desktop Mode | A Windows 10 view where app icons appear in an alphabetical list on the left side of the screen; they can be made to appear on the right side as tiles |
Device Controlling | Your OS will allow you to open or block access to devices like removable devices, CDs/DVDs, data transfer devices, printers, USBs, and others |
Disk Management | This manages all the drives installed in a computer like hard drives, optical disk drives, and flash drives. Disk management can be used to divide disks, format drives, and more |
File | Information, such as a document, stored on a computer under a single name |
File Name | The name of the file. It is good practice to use an underscore “_” rather than other special characters when naming a file |
Folder | A spot to store and organize files on a computer |
GUI | An acronym that stands for Graphical User Interface: Graphics such as an image of a file or folder that you click to perform an action |
Icons | Small images that represent commands, files, applications, or other windows |
Insertion Point | Blinking vertical line that indicates where text will be inserted when you type or where an action will take place |
Loading and Execution | Your OS will load, or start up, a program and then execute the program so that it opens and runs |
Location | Any disk, drive, folder, or another place on your computer in which you can store files and create folders |
Memory Management | This is the process of controlling and coordinating the computer applications and allocating space for programs |
Microsoft 365 | A version of Microsoft Office that includes Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint to which you subscribe for an annual fee. Microsoft 365 may be free to you as a student. |
Microsoft Account | A user account with which you can sign into any Windows 10 computer on which you have, or create, an account |
OneDrive | Microsoft’s free cloud storage for anyone with a Microsoft account |
Operating System | A computer program that manages the other programs and devices on a computer |
Pen | A pen-shaped stylus that you can use on touchscreen computers |
Pointer | Any symbol that displays on your screen in response to moving your mouse and with which you can select objects and commands |
Pointing Device | A mouse or touchpad that is used to control the pointer |
Process Management | Your OS has to allocate resources to different processes on the machine, enable the processes to share information, protect them, and synchronize them |
Program | A set of instructions that a computer uses to complete a task |
Printing Controlling | Simply put, your OS takes control of the printers that are connected to the computer and the materials that need to be printed |
Resources | The physical components of your computer such as the CPU, memory, and other attached devices like a USB or printer |
Start Menu | A menu in Windows 10 that displays as a result of clicking the Start or the Windows icon and displays installed programs and tiles |
Synchronization | Also called syncing, this is the process of updating computer files that are in two or more locations according to specific rules. |
Touchscreen Interfaces | Often used on mobile devices, tablets, and some laptops, a display device that allows the user to interact with a computer by touching areas on the screen |
USB Flash Drive | Also called a removable storage device, used to save and transfer information from one computer to another |
User Account | A single user on a computer |
User Interface | A user interface or UI refers to the part of the OS that allows a user to enter and receive information. This can be done with typed commands, code, and so forth |
Windows 10 | An operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation that works with mobile computing devices and also with traditional desktop and laptop PCs |
Windows 10 Display | The configurable pages in Windows 10 |