Windows MD-100

Active Directory (AD)

A domain security database of user and computer information that is stored on domain controllers and referenced by domain member computers. This database is stored on multimaster replicating domain controllers running a server-class operating system such as Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2012. The older Windows NT domain controllers cannot hold Active Directory security databases.

Azure AD join

Feature that connects Windows 10 computers with a domain hosted in Windows Azure AD instead of an on-premises domain.

central processing unit (CPU)

A device responsible for the actual execution of instructions stored in applications and operating system code. Windows 10 supports 32- and 64-bit CPUs.

Continuum

The Windows 10 feature that automatically adjusts Windows 10 between desktop mode and tablet mode as the device state changes.

Continuum for phone

The feature for Windows 10 phones that allows external peripherals, such as a mouse, keyboard, monitor, or projectors, to be used.

Cortana

A personalized virtual search assistant. Cortana can use voice recognition to accept commands from the user.

desktop mode

The traditional configuration for a Windows 10 computer that is optimized for use with a mouse and keyboard.

device driver

Software written by the developer of a hardware component that tells the operating system how to talk to and control the hardware.

domain controller (DC)

A server responsible for holding a domain security database that contains a list of user and computer account security data.

Domain Name System (DNS)

A standard service in the TCP/IP protocol used to define how computer names are translated into IP addresses.

Dynamic Link Library (DLL)

A file that holds application code modules. These modules are shared among applications, so the file is also called a library. DLL files can be replaced to update an application without having to replace the entire application.

Easy Upgrade

A simple upgrade process that can be used to upgrade Windows 10 Home to Windows 10 Professional. An Easy Upgrade is purchased through the Windows Store.

Encrypting File System (EFS)

A component of the NTFS file system that is responsible for encrypting individual files. Those files are not readable without the correct digital identification.

hyperthreading

A technique used in certain Intel processors to improve their overall performance by working on more than one thread at a time.

Microsoft Edge

The new web browser in Windows 10 that replaces Internet Explorer. It is completely redesigned to avoid the legacy support issues encountered with Internet Explorer.

Microsoft Passport

An MFA (multifactor authentication) system in Windows 10 that enhances security by avoiding the use of a user name and password. Biometric authentication on the client allows access to the remote system.

Mobile Device Management (MDM)

An administrative system that allows corporate administrators to deploy, secure, monitor, and integrate mobile devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones into the corporate ecosystem.

multifactor authentication (MFA)

A security system that requires more than one method of proving someone or something is who or what it is declared to be. Different methods are used to independently verify the user's identity for a transaction or sign-in attempt, such as a password plus a fingerprint. Each layer increases the difficulty an attacker faces trying to breach the security of a target.

multimaster replication

The replication of changes to the security domain database among multiple domain controllers. When a domain has multiple domain controllers, all domain controllers are capable of making changes to the security domain database they share.

multiprocessor

A term used to refer to a computer with more than one CPU.

multitasking

A term used to describe the appearance of more than one application sharing the CPU of the computer. To the user, the applications all seem to be running at the same time.

multitouch

A method of input on a touch screen or a touch pad that allows two or more points of contact on a high-precision touch device. This enables precision gestures to interact with the Windows 10 environment.

NT File System (NTFS)

A standard for organizing files and folders on a hard disk partition. This standard is more complex than FAT but adds more management features. This is the preferred standard for storing files on a hard disk.

PIN

A personal identification number that allows users to identify themselves during the authentication or sign-in process.

Plug and Play technology

A general term used to describe hardware that can be plugged in to the computer system and removed at any time. The computer will recognize the hardware dynamically, load a device driver for it, and make it available to the user in a short period of time.

preemptive multitasking

A method for applications to share a CPU and appear that they are all running at the same time. This method adds time limits and priority levels to determine how long an application can use the processor and which application gets to go next. An application can also be preempted by another application if it has a higher priority level.

process

A term used to describe the files, memory, and application code that combine together to form a single running application. Each application running on a multitasking system is referenced by a single process.

processor affinity

A standard in which a process that starts in a computer with more than one CPU is usually assigned to that CPU again the next time it runs.

quantum

The amount of time allocated to a program running in a preemptive multitasking environment. Once a program's quantum has expired, it must wait for the next available quantum.

Software Assurance (SA)

An option when purchasing Microsoft software that allows you to automatically receive the latest version of a product. For example, if you purchased Windows 8 with Software Assurance, you would automatically be able to upgrade to Windows 10.

System on a Chip (SoC)

A hardware platform that combines multiple devices that would normally be found as discrete components inside a computer, but instead are combined into a single silicon chip. The SoC design allows for the creation of computers with a small physical form factor, power savings, and simplified device construction.

tablet mode

The configuration for Windows 10 that is optimized for use with a touch screen.

thread

A piece of code that performs a specific single task. An application is written as one or more threads, each of which performs a specific task within the application. The thread is typically seen as a unit of work for the CPU to perform.

trusted platform module (TPM)

A third-party standard to define a method of trusting the computer environment before an operating system is started. This helps to prevent the theft of a hard disk and placement of the disk in a foreign system to steal data.

universal apps

A developer platform strategy to enable the development of applications that can run on every Windows device, such as phones, tablets, laptops, desktops, and Xbox gaming centers.

Universal Windows Platform (UWP)

A common application platform available on every device that runs Windows 10. The UWP provides a guaranteed core programming interface across devices. The developer can create a single application package that can be installed onto a wide range of devices and unlock the unique capabilities of each device.

Virtual Desktop

A new feature in Windows 10 that allows users to create multiple desktops with different applications and switch between them on a single monitor.

Windows as a Service (WaaS)

An update process for Windows 10 in which new features are continuously published and installed to existing Windows 10 installations.

Windows Hello

Biometric authentication functionality in Windows 10. At release, Windows Hello supports fingerprints, facial recognition, and iris scanning.

Windows Peer-to-Peer Networking

A networking technology included in Windows Vista and later operating systems that allows clients to use IPv6 to communicate with each other over LANs or the Internet.

answer file

An XML file used during an unattended setup to provide configuration to Setup.exe. Windows 10 answer files are created by using Windows (SIM).

Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT)

A set of utilities and resources from Microsoft to help organizations run legacy software on Windows 10.

attended installation

An installation when a network administrator must be present to answer configuration questions presented during Windows 10 installation.

auditSystem configuration pass

The configuration pass that is performed before user sign-in when Sysprep triggers Windows 10 into audit mode.

auditUser configuration pass

The configuration pass that is performed after user sign-in when Sysprep triggers Windows 10 into audit mode.

autounattend.xml

An answer file that is automatically searched for during the windowsPE, offlineServicing, and specialize configuration passes.

catalog file

A file used by Windows SIM to read the configurable settings and their current status for a WIM image.

clean installation

An installation that is performed on a new computer, or does not retain the user settings or applications of an existing computer.

configuration set

The subset of files from a distribution share that are required for a particular answer file. A configuration set is more compact than a distribution share.

Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM)

A command-line tool that can be used to service Windows 10 images offline or online and perform imaging operations.

distribution share

A share configured through Windows SIM to hold drivers and packages that can be added to Windows 10 during installation.

distribution share installation

An installation of Windows 10 that is started by running Setup.exe over the network from a distribution share.

DVD boot installation

An installation of Windows 10 that is started by booting from DVD to run Setup.exe.

generalization

A process performed by Sysprep to prepare a computer running Windows 10 for imaging. The computer SID, computer name, and hardware information are removed during generalization.

generalize configuration pass

The configuration pass that is performed when Sysprep is run to generalize Windows 10.

Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)

A low-level system driver in Windows 10 that controls communication between Windows 10 and the computer hardware.

image

A collection of files captured using DISM and stored in an image file.

image-based installation

An installation that uses DISM to apply an image of an operating system to a computer. The image can include applications as well as the operating system.

image file

A file that stores one or more images (typically operating system installations). The size of an image file is minimized through the use of single-instance storage when a file exists in multiple images.

offlineServicing configuration pass

The second configuration pass that is performed after the Windows image has been copied to the local hard drive. This configuration pass applies packages such as security updates, language packs, and device drivers before Windows 10 is started.

offline update

An update that is applied to Windows 10 during installation before Windows 10 is started. The packages used for offline updates are supplied by Microsoft.

oobeSystem configuration pass

The final configuration pass before installation is complete, applied during the user out-of-box experience (OOBE). This configuration pass is typically used in conjunction with Sysprep and DISM.

product activation

A process put in place by Microsoft to reduce piracy. Unique information about your computer is sent to Microsoft to ensure that the package of Windows 10 purchased is installed on only a single computer.

provisioning

A new configuration process for Windows 10 that modifies the configuration of an already installed Windows 10 operating system to match corporate standards. Windows ICD creates provisioning packages that perform that configuration.

specialize configuration pass

The configuration pass that is performed after hardware has been detected. This is the most common configuration pass to apply settings.

Sysprep

A tool that is used to generalize Windows 10 and prepare computers for imaging.

System Audit Mode cleanup action

An option in Sysprep that triggers the computer to enter audit mode and run the auditSystem and auditUser configuration passes on reboot.

System Out-of-Box Experience cleanup action

An option in Sysprep that triggers the computer to run the oobeSystem configuration pass and start Windows Welcome on reboot.

unattend.xml

An answer file that is automatically searched for during the generalize, auditSystem, auditUser, and oobeSystem configuration passes.

unattended installation

An installation that does not require any user input because all necessary configuration information is provided by an answer file.

Universal Naming Convention (UNC)

A naming system used by Windows computers to locate network file shares and network printers. The format is \\servername\sharename.

upgrade installation

An installation that migrates all of the settings from a preexisting Windows operating system to Windows 10.

User State Migration Tool (USMT)

A set of scriptable command-line utilities that are used to migrate user settings and files from a source computer to a destination computer. USMT is typically used by large organizations during deployments of desktop operating systems.

Volume Activation Management Tool (VAMT)

A tool that can be installed to provide volume activation with KMS activation keys used with volume licensing. It is equivalent to the Volume Activation Service in Windows Server 2012 R2 and Windows Server 2016.

Windows 10 Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK)

A collection of utilities and documentation for automating the deployment of Windows 10.

Windows Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD)

A utility that is used to create provisioning packages for Windows 10. Windows ICD can also create bootable media that includes a Windows 10 installation image and a provisioning package.

Windows Imaging Format (WIM)

A file-based image format developed by Microsoft to store multiple images in a single file.

Windows PE

A limited version of Windows that can be used to perform recovery tasks and install Windows 10.

Windows System Image Manager (SIM)

A utility that is used to create answer files for Windows 10 unattended installations. Windows SIM can also create distribution shares and configuration sets.

Windows To Go

A portable version of Windows 10 that can be created on a USB drive.

windowsPE configuration pass

The first configuration pass performed during Setup, which can be used to perform tasks such as disk partitioning and entering the product key.

Action Center

A place where you can review and resolve system messages.

Administrative Tools

A group of MMC consoles that are used to manage Windows 10. Computer Management, Event Viewer, and Services are the most commonly used.

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI)

The current standard for power management that is implemented in Windows 10 and by computer manufacturers.

Away Mode

An instant-on power-saving mode that keeps the system in the S0 state. cmdlet A Windows PowerShell command in verb-noun format. Most cmdlets have parameters that can be used to pass options to the cmdlet.

Computer Management

One of the most commonly used administrative tools. This MMC console contains the snap-ins to manage most Windows 10 components.

Control Panel

An alternative location to configure Windows 10 settings. Used when advanced settings are not available in Settings.

Defragment and Optimize Drives

An administrative tool that moves file blocks around in the disk to make individual files contiguous and faster to access.

device driver

Software that manages the communication between Windows 10 and a particular hardware component.

device driver signing

A system that ensures that a device driver is from a known publisher and that the device driver has not been modified since it was signed.

Device Manager

An MMC snap-in that is used to manage hardware components and their device drivers.

Disk Cleanup

An administrative tool that identifies temporary files that are no longer required and provides an option to remove them.

driver store

A central location in Windows 10 where drivers are located before they are installed. A large set of drivers is included with Windows 10.

Ease of Access

A collection of settings to make Windows 10 easier to use for those who have physical, visual, or hearing impairment.

Event Viewer

An MMC console that is used to view messages generated and logged by Windows 10, applications, and services.

File Signature Verification utility

A utility (sigverif.exe) that verifies the digital signature on operating system files and device drivers.

hibernate

See S4 state.

hybrid sleep

The sleep method used by Windows 10 that combines the S3 state and S4 state. When the computer moves to the S3 state, it also saves the memory file required for the S4 state.

iSCSI

A protocol for transferring files between a computer and external disk storage over an Ethernet network.

Microsoft Management Console (MMC)

A graphical interface shell that provides a structured environment to build management utilities.