Glossary A Active Directory a directory service that inventories, secures and manages the users, computers, rules and other components of a Microsoft Windows network. This service is typically deployed by IT professionals to maintain larger computer networks. B Backup, File Backup copies of individual files made in order to replace the original file(s) in case it is damaged or lost. Backup, Image Backup copy of an entire disk partition(s) made in order to replace the original partition(s) in case it is damaged or lost. Boot the process of starting a computer that includes initializing the hardware devices, loading and running computer firmware loading and running OS initialization programs and starting an operating system. Boot, Pixie Boot -- See Boot, PXE Boot Boot, PXE Boot Pre-boot Execution Environment defines a specification for starting a computer with OS components that are stored on a computer network or other remote location. PXE is typically used to install an operating system from installation media that is stored on a computer network.
Boot, Secure Boot -- a specification that defines how a computer can validate the firmware and initialization code as being provided by OEMs and not changed or compromised during the boot process. C Command Window a dialog window that displays Command Prompt, the Windows operating system command interpreter. Command Prompt accepts commands entered, interprets the command and then passes it to the operating system. Command Prompt is sometimes called Command shell. D Dialog a window in a graphical user interface like Microsoft Windows that displays information and prompts users for a command or other input. E Encryption the process of converting data into codes in order to hide its meaning from those who are not authorized to read it. Environment Variable named storage location that is used to define some aspect of Microsoft DOS and Microsoft Windows operating conditions.
F File System a specification that defines how an operating system, manipulates file storage and the individual files within a computer system. Popular Microsoft file systems are NTFS, FAT, FAT32 and ReFS. H Hypervisor a computer program that simulates computer hardware, software and other support for virtual machines to run under. Microsoft Hyper-V and VMWare vsphere are examples of hypervisors. M Microsoft Account a user identity that looks like an email address and password that is provided by or registered with Microsoft. This user identity is used to access Microsoft services and can be used to login to a Microsoft Windows 10 computer. N Network, Enterprise Network connections between computers typically belonging to a large-scale business or enterprise. These networks are
private (separate from the Internet), large-scale implementations that may cover one or more continents. O OEM, Original Equipment Manufacturer an entity who produces branded computer equipment, typically from engineered combinations of hardware and software components. Operating System also referred to as an OS, is software that communicates with computer firmware in behalf of user applications. It performs tasks required to schedule work, manage input and output of data and maintain the security and integrity of the data stored in the computer system. Organization Account also known as a work or school account is a user identity that matches a corporate email address and password. This user identity is registered as a Microsoft Azure Active Directory user account. It may be used to access Microsoft services and can be used to login to a Microsoft Windows 10 computer. OS See Operating System OS, Desktop OS an operating system that is designed to run on single user computers like a laptop or desktop computer. Windows 7, Windows 10 are examples. OS, Linux an operating system that is based on UNIX, an older multi-user OS. Its source code is open to use and modification by the public.
OS, Server OS an operating system that is designed to run on multi-user computers like a database, file or email server computer. Windows 2016 Server, Windows 2008 R2 Server are examples. OS, zos an operating system developed by IBM for its family of mainframe computers. P Partition, Boot Partition In Microsoft Windows environments only, the disk partition that contains the \Windows folder and related operating system files. Partition, System Partition -- In Microsoft Windows environments only, the disk partition that contains the files that are used to start or boot a Microsoft Windows operating system. Microsoft provides for GPT or GUID partition table and MBR or Master Boot Record formatted partitions. PowerShell an OS shell interface that allows a library of cmdlets to be entered into a PowerShell command window, interpreted and passed to an operating system. S Software Assurance a Microsoft software purchase and ongoing maintenance offering that allows businesses and large enterprises to
acquire and continually use software and upgrade to new versions as they are released. Specification, BIOS the Basic Input/Output System, legacy computer firmware that initializes computing hardware and provide interface services to the computer s operating system. Specification, UEFI the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface is computer firmware that provides current capabilities and features that exceed the legacy BIOS like secure boot, fast startup and virtualization support. T Trusted Platform Module, TPM a specialized chip that is installed on a computing device that can perform secure functions to generate key values used for data encryption and decryption. V Virtual Machine software that presents itself as a computer that can run an operating system and application software that runs under the control of a hypervisor.