sections

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User-friendly GUI

Graphical user interface that is easy for users to interact with.

Broad software compatibility

Ability of an operating system to run a wide range of software applications.

Unix-based

Referring to an operating system that is derived from the Unix operating system, known for its multitasking and multiuser capabilities.

Intuitive UI

A user interface that is easy to understand and use without extensive training.

Open-source

Software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified.

Highly customizable

The ability of software to be altered or tailored to meet the specific preferences and needs of the user.

Command-line interface

A text-based user interface used to execute commands.

Predecessor to Windows

An earlier operating system that led to the development of Windows.

OS

Operating System; software that manages hardware and software resources.

File System

A system that manages how data is stored and retrieved on a disk.

Registry (Windows)

A database that stores low-level settings for the operating system and for applications that opt to use the registry.

Virtual Memory

Technology that uses a portion of the hard drive as if it were additional RAM.

FAT32

A file system format that supports drives up to 2TB in size.

NTFS

New Technology File System; a file system used by Windows that supports advanced features such as permissions.

APFS

Apple File System; a file system used by MacOS that is optimized for SSD storage.

EXT4

A file system for Linux that is an improved version of the older EXT3 file system.

Installation

The process of setting up software or an operating system on a computer.

Configuration

The action of setting or arranging the settings of software or hardware.

Optimization

The process of making a system run more efficiently by removing unnecessary files and adjusting settings.

Upgrade

The act of replacing a software version with a newer version.

Start menu

A feature in Windows that provides access to programs and system settings.

Dock

A MacOS feature displaying currently running applications for quick access.

Terminal

A command-line interface used to interact with the operating system on Linux and MacOS.

Disk Management

The process of managing disk drives and partitions on a computer.

Basic Operations

Fundamental tasks performed on files such as copy, move, delete, and rename.

Backup

The process of copying and archiving data to prevent loss.

File Extensions

Suffix at the end of a filename indicating the file type.

Installing Software

The process of placing software on a computer for use.

Compress/Expand

To reduce file size for storage or transmission and revert back to original size.

Download Files

The act of transferring files from the internet or another source to a local device.

System files

Files necessary for the operating system to function.

User files

Files created or managed by users, often stored in personal directories.

Boot Methods

Techniques for starting an operating system, such as Safe Mode or Recovery USB.

Recovery Console

A command-line environment that allows troubleshooting and recovery of a Windows system.

ASR

Automated System Recovery; a tool designed to help recover a system following a failure.

BSOD

Blue Screen of Death; an error screen displayed on a Windows computer after a fatal system error.

System Lock-up

A situation where a system becomes unresponsive and requires a restart.

I/O Device Errors

Errors related to input/output devices that may stem from hardware issues or driver problems.

Log Errors

Recording errors that occur in a system for troubleshooting purposes.

Event Viewer

A tool in Windows that displays detailed information about system events, warnings, and errors.

dmesg

A command in Linux that prints to the console messages from the kernel buffer.

Scheduled backups

Regularly planned copies of data to prevent loss.

Restore Points

Snapshots of your system settings and files at a specific time that can be restored later.

Disk Cleanup

Utility in Windows that helps users free up disk space by removing unnecessary files.

Task Manager

A system utility that provides information about running applications and system performance.

Compression Format

A method used to reduce the size of files for easier storage or transmission.

Device Driver

A program that allows the operating system to communicate with hardware devices.

Compatibility

The ability of a system to work with other systems or components.

Recovery USB

A bootable USB drive used to recover a computer's operating system.

Update procedures

Steps taken to keep software and systems current with the latest features and security patches.

Command-line functions

Commands entered into a command-line interface to perform specific tasks.

Error Codes

Numeric or alphanumeric codes used to identify specific errors in operating systems.

Help desk

A service that provides assistance for software or hardware issues.

Technical Support

Professionals who help resolve technical problems related to computers and software.