Device Configuration and Management Certificate

Accelerated Processing Unit (APU)

A processor that combines a CPU and GPU on a single chip to improve performance and energy efficiency.

Account Lockout Policy

The number of failed login attempts allowed before a user account is temporarily locked to prevent brute-force attacks.

Active Directory

A Microsoft service that manages users and resources in a network.

Administrator Account

An account that grants elevated permissions to install software and manage device settings.

AI

A branch of computer science focused on creating systems or machines that can perform tasks typically requiring human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding.

Antimalware Scan Interface (AMSI)

An interface that allows applications and services to integrate with antivirus software to detect and block malicious scripts.

Application Shortcuts

Quick links used to launch programs or files.

Audio Settings

Settings that manage input and output devices, volume, and accessibility features such as mono audio.

Authenticator Apps

Mobile apps that generate time-based one-time passwords or verification codes for two-factor authentication.

Biometric Authentication

A security process that verifies identity using unique physical or behavioral traits, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, or voice patterns.

BIOS

Firmware that initializes hardware during startup and provides runtime services for the operating system.

BitLocker

A Windows encryption feature that protects data by encrypting entire drives to prevent unauthorized access.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The main component of a computer that processes instructions and runs applications.

Cloud Computing

The delivery of computing services, such as servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics, over the internet.

Cloud Storage

A service that lets users save and access data over the internet through remote servers.

Cloud Storage Services

Online platforms, such as Google Drive, OneDrive, and Amazon S3, that let users store, manage, share, synchronize, and back up data remotely.

Color Filters

An accessibility tool that changes on-screen colors to assist users with color-vision deficiencies.

Contrast Themes

An accessibility tool that improves visual clarity by using high-contrast color combinations.

Control Panel

A legacy Windows interface used to configure system settings.

Credential Guard

A Windows security feature that uses virtualization to protect login credentials from theft.

Credential Manager

A Windows tool that stores usernames and passwords for websites, applications, and networks.

CUDA

A parallel-computing platform and programming model from NVIDIA that uses NVIDIA GPUs for general-purpose processing tasks.

Device Manager

A Windows utility for viewing and managing hardware devices, drivers, and system resources.

Disk Management

A Windows utility used to view and manage disk drives, volumes, and partitions.

Display Resolution

The number of pixels shown on a screen, typically expressed as width × height, such as 1920 × 1080.

Display Settings

Windows settings used to configure resolution, orientation, scaling, and multiple monitors.

Domain Administrator

A privileged account with full control of a Windows domain, including users, groups, computers, and settings.

Domain User Account

An account that provides access to network resources managed through Active Directory.

Drivers

Specialized software that allows an operating system to communicate with and control hardware devices.

Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT)

A Microsoft file system optimized for flash storage that supports large files and partitions without FAT32’s limits.

File Allocation Table 32 (FAT32)

An older, widely compatible file system with a maximum individual file size of 4 GB and a maximum partition size of 8 TB.

File Explorer

The default Windows file-management application used to browse, open, copy, move, and organize files.

Firewall

Hardware or software that monitors and filters incoming and outgoing network traffic according to security rules.

Graphics Card

A component that renders images for a display; it may be integrated into the CPU or a separate dedicated card.

Graphics Processing Unit (GPU)

A specialized processor that accelerates graphics rendering and parallel-computing tasks.

Group Policy

A Windows feature for centrally configuring and managing user and computer settings in an Active Directory environment.

Group Policy Editor

A Windows administrative tool for viewing and changing local or domain Group Policy settings.

Group Policy Management Console

A Microsoft administrative tool for managing Group Policy Objects across users and computers in an Active Directory environment.

GUID Partition Table (GPT)

A modern disk-partitioning scheme that supports large disks and many partitions and is required to boot drives on UEFI-based systems.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A storage device that stores data on spinning magnetic disks and is commonly used for bulk storage.

Heatsink

A thermal component that draws and dissipates heat away from electronic parts, such as CPUs.

Hyper-V

A Microsoft virtualization platform that allows users to create and manage virtual machines on Windows.

Live Captions

An accessibility feature that displays real-time captions for audio on the screen.

Local Account

A user account tied to one device that is not centrally managed through a domain or cloud identity service.

Magnifier

An accessibility tool that enlarges parts of the screen for users with visual impairments.

Master Boot Record (MBR)

A legacy disk-partitioning scheme that supports up to four primary partitions and disks up to 2 TB.

Microsoft Copilot

An AI-powered assistant integrated into Microsoft products that helps generate content, summarize information, automate tasks, and provide context-aware suggestions.

Microsoft Account

An account used to access Microsoft services and synchronize settings across devices.

Microsoft Learn

A free Microsoft training platform with interactive tutorials, modules, learning paths, and certification preparation resources.

Microsoft Office

A suite of productivity applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook, for documents, data, presentations, and communication.

Microsoft Store

A Microsoft digital distribution platform for downloading and installing apps, games, movies, TV shows, and other content on Windows devices.

Mono Audio

An audio setting that combines stereo sound into a single channel, helping users with hearing loss in one ear.

Motherboard

The main circuit board that connects computer components and enables communication among them.

Mouse Settings

Settings used to customize pointer speed, button layout, scrolling, and related mouse behavior.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

An authentication method that requires an additional form of verification beyond a password.

Narrator

A built-in Windows screen reader that reads interface elements and text aloud.

New Technology File System (NTFS)

A Windows file system that supports large files, permissions, encryption, and advanced data-recovery features.

On-Screen Keyboard

A virtual keyboard displayed on the screen, useful for accessibility and touchscreen devices.

Password

A secret string of characters used to verify identity and grant access to systems, apps, or data.

Password Policy

A policy that defines password requirements, such as length, complexity, history, and expiration.

PCIe Slot

A high-speed motherboard interface used to connect expansion cards, such as graphics cards, sound cards, and network cards.

Power Settings

Settings that manage a computer’s power use, sleep behavior, hibernation, and battery-related options.

RAM

Temporary computer memory that gives applications short-term space to store and access data.

Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC)

A CPU design model that uses a small, optimized set of simple instructions to improve processing efficiency.

Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)

A Microsoft protocol that lets users connect to and control a remote computer through a graphical interface.

ROCm

An open-source AMD computing platform for high-performance, GPU-accelerated workloads such as machine learning and scientific computing.

S Mode

A streamlined Windows mode focused on security and performance that allows only Microsoft Store apps and uses Microsoft Edge for browsing.

Secure Boot

A UEFI firmware feature that helps prevent unauthorized operating systems and malware from loading during startup.

Settings App

The modern Windows interface for configuring devices, applications, accounts, accessibility, and system preferences.

Single Sign-On (SSO)

A feature that lets a user sign in once and access multiple related systems without signing in again.

SmartScreen

A cloud-based Windows security feature that helps protect against phishing, malicious websites, and unsafe downloads.

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

A storage device that uses flash memory and provides faster data access and greater durability than an HDD.

Speech Recognition

An accessibility tool that converts spoken language into text and enables voice control of a computer.

Startup Settings

Windows settings that control how the system starts, including access to Safe Mode options.

Sticky Keys

An accessibility feature that lets modifier keys, such as Shift, Ctrl, Alt, or Windows, remain active after being pressed.

Storage Device

A device that permanently stores digital data, such as an HDD or SSD.

System Restore

A Windows tool that restores system files and settings to an earlier point without affecting personal files.

Task Manager

A Windows tool that shows running applications, processes, performance information, and startup programs.

Taskbar

The strip on the Windows desktop that provides access to open windows, pinned apps, Start, and system notifications.

Time Zone Settings

Settings that align the system clock with the user’s geographic region.

Troubleshooting

The process of identifying, diagnosing, and resolving problems in a system, device, or application.

User Account Control (UAC)

A Windows security feature that prompts for permission or administrator credentials before changes that could affect system integrity.

User Profile

A set of settings, preferences, files, and data associated with a specific user account.

Virtual Desktop

A Windows feature that lets users organize apps and windows across multiple desktops.

Voice Access

A Windows feature that lets users control the computer using voice commands.

Windows Defender

A built-in Windows antivirus and antimalware solution that helps protect devices from threats.

Windows Registry

A hierarchical Windows database that stores low-level settings and configurations for the operating system, applications, and hardware.

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL)

A Microsoft compatibility layer that lets users run Linux command-line tools and applications directly in Windows without a separate virtual machine or dual boot.

Windows Update

A Windows tool that installs operating-system patches, security updates, driver updates, and feature updates.