Windows Configuration – Vocabulary Flashcards

120 vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, tools, and concepts from the Windows Configuration lecture.

Windows 10

Microsoft operating system that returned to a desktop-oriented interface, supports universal apps, introduced Microsoft Edge, and uses semi-annual feature updates.

Universal App

A Windows application designed to run across multiple device types such as desktops, tablets, and phones with a single codebase.

Microsoft Edge

The web browser first released with Windows 10, replacing Internet Explorer as the default browser.

Windows Action Center

Windows 10 panel that replaced Charms, providing notifications and quick-action settings.

Theme (Windows)

A predefined set of desktop backgrounds, colors, sounds, and window styles used to quickly change the look and feel of the GUI.

Tile

Rectangular Start-menu element that launches an app; can be resized and dragged to arrange groups.

Personalization Window

Settings area that allows users to change desktop appearance, display, and sound options.

Start Menu

Central Windows menu that lists installed apps, most-used items, power controls, and live tiles.

Taskbar

Desktop bar that hosts the Start button, pinned and running apps, system tray, and clock; can be moved and customized.

Task Manager

Utility that monitors running processes, performance, users, startup apps, and services.

Processes Tab

Task Manager section showing active programs and background processes with resource usage.

Performance Tab

Task Manager view displaying real-time graphs for CPU, memory, disk, Ethernet, and other resources.

App History Tab

Task Manager pane that lists historical CPU time and network usage for apps.

Startup Tab

Task Manager area showing programs that auto-launch with Windows and their impact on boot time.

Users Tab (Task Manager)

Displays signed-in users and the resources each session is consuming.

Details Tab

Task Manager section where individual process priority and affinity can be adjusted.

Services Tab

Lists Windows services, their status, and allows start/stop actions.

File Explorer

Windows 10 file-management interface (Windows Explorer in 7) used to browse, copy, move, and manage files and folders.

Ribbon (File Explorer)

Toolbar in File Explorer containing task buttons that change contextually.

This PC

File Explorer view in Windows 8.1/10 that shows drives and common folders (called Computer in Windows 7).

Run as Administrator

Context-menu option that launches a file or program with elevated (administrator) privileges.

Windows Library

Virtual folder that aggregates content from multiple locations into one view without moving files.

Root Directory

Top level of a Windows drive, usually C:\, from which all folders branch.

Path Length Limit

Maximum characters allowed in a file path; 260 by default in Windows 10.

Users Folder

Directory (C:\Users\username) where personal documents, desktop, and settings are stored.

System32

Critical system folder (C:\Windows\System32) containing core OS files and utilities.

Program Files

Default directory used by installers to place 64-bit applications (Program Files (x86) for 32-bit apps on 64-bit Windows).

File Extension

Three- or four-letter suffix after a dot in a filename that indicates file type (e.g., .docx, .jpg).

File Attribute R

Read-only flag that prevents a file from being modified or deleted without clearing the attribute.

File Attribute A

Archive flag indicating a file has changed and should be backed up during the next backup routine.

File Attribute S

System attribute marking a file as essential to the OS; deletion triggers a warning.

File Attribute H

Hidden attribute that prevents a file from appearing in normal directory listings.

Settings App

Modern Windows 10 interface for configuring system options, complementing the traditional Control Panel.

Control Panel

Legacy Windows configuration interface containing categorized applets for system settings.

Category View

Default Control Panel layout grouping applets into eight broad categories.

System and Security

Control Panel category for Windows Defender Firewall, Windows Update, Backup, and administrative tools.

Network and Internet

Control Panel category for network status, sharing options, and internet settings.

Hardware and Sound

Category that manages devices, printers, sound schemes, and power options.

Programs

Control Panel category to uninstall, change, or repair software and manage Windows features.

User Accounts

Category for creating, deleting, and managing Windows user profiles and UAC settings.

Ease of Access

Control Panel area providing accessibility options for users with disabilities.

Appearance and Personalization

Category for adjusting themes, taskbar, fonts, and File Explorer options.

Clock and Region

Control Panel category to set date, time, time zone, and regional formats.

User Account

Profile that defines permissions, settings, and personal data for an individual Windows user.

Standard User

Account type with rights to run applications and change own settings but not modify system-wide configurations.

User Account Control (UAC)

Security feature that prompts for approval when programs attempt changes requiring administrative rights.

Credential Manager

Tool that stores website and Windows application credentials securely for reuse.

Sync Center

Utility enabling offline files and scheduled synchronization between local and network locations.

Network Status App

Windows 10 Settings page summarizing current network connection and linking to advanced options.

Internet Options

Control Panel applet with tabs (General, Security, Privacy, Content, Connections, Programs, Advanced) for configuring IE/Edge settings.

Network and Sharing Center

Control Panel hub for viewing status, configuring adapters, and setting sharing profiles.

Display Settings

Windows 10 interface reached via desktop right-click to adjust resolution, orientation, scaling, and multiple monitors.

Screen Resolution

Number of horizontal × vertical pixels output; higher values yield sharper images (e.g., 1920 × 1080).

Refresh Rate

Frequency (Hz) at which a monitor redraws the image; higher rates reduce flicker.

Power Options

Control Panel utility to create and manage power plans and choose actions for lid, button, and sleep events.

Sleep Mode

Low-power state where session is stored in RAM allowing quick resume with minimal energy.

Hibernate Mode

Power state that writes the current session to disk and powers off, using zero energy but slower to resume than Sleep.

System (Control Panel)

Applet providing OS edition, CPU/RAM info, and links to advanced settings like Device Manager and Remote.

Device Manager

Console listing installed hardware; lets you update, roll back, disable, or uninstall drivers.

Devices and Printers

Control Panel view showing connected external hardware and allowing quick device setup.

Sound (Control Panel)

Utility to set default playback/recording devices and adjust system sound schemes.

Region (Control Panel)

Settings for formats of numbers, currency, dates, times, and system locale.

Language Settings

Windows options to add language packs, keyboard layouts, and enable Cortana in other languages.

Programs and Features

Control Panel item to uninstall, change, repair applications, and manage installed Windows updates.

Windows Features

Optional OS components (e.g., .NET, Hyper-V) that can be turned on or off via Programs and Features.

Default Programs

Tool for choosing which applications open specific file types or protocols.

Troubleshooting (Control Panel)

Collection of automated scripts that diagnose and fix common Windows issues.

BitLocker

Full-volume encryption feature that secures data on drives using TPM or password protection.

File Explorer Options

Settings dialog (Folder Options in Win 7/8) to configure view, search, and privacy behavior of File Explorer.

Administrative Tools

Control Panel folder containing shortcuts to management consoles like Event Viewer, Services, and more.

Computer Management

MMC console combining Event Viewer, Device Manager, Disk Management, and other utilities.

Event Viewer

Tool for viewing system, security, and application logs categorized as Information, Warning, Error, Critical.

Local Users and Groups

MMC snap-in to create and manage local user accounts and group memberships.

Performance Monitor

Administrative tool for collecting detailed performance data using customizable counters.

Services Console

Utility (services.msc) to start, stop, disable, or configure automatic startup of background services.

ODBC Data Sources

Administrative tool to manage database connection drivers and DSNs for Open Database Connectivity.

Print Management

Utility (not in all editions) to oversee local and network printers, queues, and deploy printers via Group Policy.

Windows Memory Diagnostics

Boot-time RAM test that checks for memory errors and logs results in Event Viewer.

System Information (msinfo32)

Utility that displays detailed hardware, software, and driver data and can export reports.

System Configuration (MSCONFIG)

Tool to troubleshoot startup issues by enabling or disabling services, startup items, and boot options.

Registry

Hierarchical database storing Windows configuration settings in keys and values across hive files.

Regedit

Registry Editor used to view and edit registry keys; improper changes can render Windows unusable.

Microsoft Management Console (MMC)

Framework for building custom consoles by adding snap-ins for administration tasks.

DxDiag

DirectX Diagnostic Tool that reports multimedia driver and component versions.

Disk Management

GUI utility for partitioning, formatting, assigning letters, and managing dynamic disks.

Foreign Disk

Status indicating a dynamic disk moved from another computer and not yet imported.

Healthy (Disk Status)

Indicates a partition or volume is operating normally without detected errors.

Storage Spaces

Windows 8/10 feature that creates virtual disks from pooled drives offering mirror, parity, or stripe resilience.

Disk Defragmenter / Optimize

Utility that reorganizes fragmented data on HDDs to boost performance (SSDs are simply trimmed).

Disk Error-Checking

Tool (chkdsk GUI) that scans file system integrity and attempts recovery of bad sectors.

Integrated Graphics

GPU built into the motherboard or CPU that shares system RAM.

Dedicated Graphics Card

Separate expansion card with its own VRAM for high-performance graphics tasks.

External Hardware Token

Portable device (smart card, USB, fingerprint key) providing second-factor authentication.

Compatibility Mode

Executable property setting that emulates older Windows environments for legacy software.

PowerShell

Advanced command-line shell and scripting language using cmdlets, objects, and automation.

CMD (Command Prompt)

Classic Windows command shell accessed by running cmd.exe.

Wildcard *

Character used in command-line file operations to represent any number of characters.

Wildcard ?

Character that substitutes for a single character in command-line operations.

chkdsk Command

CLI utility that verifies file system integrity and can fix logical and some physical disk errors.

sfc Command

System File Checker that scans and repairs corrupted Windows system files.