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 multi-master replicating domain controllers running Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 for an operating system. The older Windows NT domain controllers cannot hold Active Directory security databases.
Aero Glass
A visual effect that is part of the new Aero look-and-feel of Windows 7. Many graphical elements have a semitransparent appearance to allow users to see other windows under the active one. This is done to allow the user a better feel for what other applications are doing in the background without being too distracting.
Application Compatibility Toolkit
A collection of tools, advice, and methodologies that guides the IT administrator in determining which legacy applications are compatible with Windows 7. It does not make those applications compatible; it merely helps the IT administrator use a structured method of testing and tracking compatibility information.
Application Programming Interface (API)
A set of rules and conditions a programmer follows when writing an application to allow the program to interact with part of the operating system. The program is guaranteed to work if they follow the API rules published by the authors of a feature in the operating system.
Backup DC (BDC)
A specialized Windows NT server that is responsible for holding a read-only copy of the domain security database.
BitLocker Drive Encryption
An encryption method used to protect an entire hard disk. Without proper credentials, a hard disk will remain encrypted, even if the disk is removed from the computer.
blue screen of death (BSOD)
A common term used to describe an error condition in the operating system that has resulted in a full halt of the operating system due to a critical error. The error screen is usually white text on a blue background, hence the name.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
A device responsible for the actual execution of instructions stored in applications and operating system code. Windows 7 supports 32- and 64-bit CPUs.
CD-ROM File System (CDFS)
A file system introduced with Windows 95 and Windows NT to organize files and folders on a CD-ROM disk. The CDFS file system is considered adequate for older CD-ROM disks but not for rewritable CD-ROMs or newer DVD media formats. For those newer media technologies, UDF is the preferred file system.
cooperative multitasking
A method for applications to share the CPU. All applications rotate access to and do not monopolize the CPU. If an application does not release control of the CPU, the computer may appear stalled or other applications appear very sluggish.
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
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 files (DLLs)
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.
EDID (Extended Display Identification Data)
A standard that defines how the monitor hardware can pass details about its abilities to the graphics card and ultimately the operating system. Details such as preferred refresh rate and screen resolution can be set by the monitor manufacturer and EDID will allow this information to be passed to the operating system. The operating system can use that information to configure the optimum view on the monitor without having to ask the user for those settings. This provides a simpler user-friendly experience when setting up new monitor hardware.
Encrypted 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.
eXtensible Markup Language (XML)
A standard for formatting data that is exchanged between applications. By using a standard, application developers do not have to write custom data translators for every product with which their applications share data.
File Allocation Table (FAT)
An older method of organizing files and folders in a hard disk partition. Files are stored in blocks of data that point to each other in a chain-like structure. The blocks that are used in the partition and the link from one to another are stored in a master table called the FAT.
Graphical Processing Unit (GPU)
A hardware component, similar to the CPU, that is added to video cards to calculate how to draw complex shapes on the screen. Because the GPU can perform the complex operations on its own, the CPU is free to work on other tasks.
Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
A legacy method of determining if hardware is compatible with the operating system. This has been replaced by the Windows Catalog and the Windows Marketplace Web site.
Hyper-Threading
A technique used in certain Intel processors to improve their overall performance by working on more than one thread at a time. When one thread is waiting for an operation to complete, a second thread can use some of the processor's hardware instead of the processor just idling. This extra work is done inside the processor's hardware and is specific to the design of the processor itself. Programmers writing application threads and the operating system that schedules those threads to run must be aware of the benefits and limits of the Hyper-Threaded processor to take best advantage of any performance gain that might be possible.
kernel mode
An access mode for applications while they are running on the CPU that allows full access to all hardware devices and memory in the computer.
multi-master replication
When a domain has multiple domain controllers, all domain controllers are capable of making changes to the security domain database they share. The changes are replicated from one domain controller to another.
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.
Network Location Awareness Service (NLA)
A service that allows applications to track the state of the network connections available to the computer. An application can track how much data can be sent over a connection, if it is available, or if new connections appear. Based on this information, the application can modify its attempts to communicate over the network.
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.
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.
Primary DC (PDC)
A specialized Windows NT server that is responsible for holding a writeable copy of the domain security database.
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.
Really Simple Syndication (RSS)
A Web-based service used on the Internet to distribute updates about new content, articles, and news on Web sites and provide links to those sites. A user can subscribe to a particular feed or type of update to stay up to date and informed on the latest content available in an area or site that interests them.
ring level
A security level in the CPU that is used to determine a program's degree of access to memory and hardware. The ring levels are used to set user and kernel mode access in the operating system.
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 XP with Software Assurance, you would automatically be able to upgrade to Windows 7.
Startup Repair Tool
A tool provided in Windows 7 to help users determine why their computer failed and what they should do to repair it.
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 Disk Format (UDF)
A third-party standard that defines how data is stored on removable media such as DVD disks.
user mode
An access mode for applications while they are running on the CPU that allows restricted access to all hardware devices and memory in the computer. This mode makes it difficult for the running application to corrupt and crash the operating system. System-level applications may need more access than is allowed and must use kernel mode instead.
Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM)
A standard API for writing device drivers that are compatible with the new graphical subsystem that is now part of Windows 7.
Windows Driver Foundation (WDF)
A standard for writing device drivers that interact with Windows 7. This standard replaces WDM and adds new features such as support for user mode device drivers.
Windows Driver Model (WDM)
An older standard for writing device drivers that interact with Windows. Device drivers that use this standard are still supported, but should be replaced with drivers that use the new WDF architecture.
Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL)
A service provided by Microsoft to hardware developers and vendors to test their hardware with different versions of Windows. This testing only validates that a device works with Windows; it does not compare devices.
Windows Imaging Format (WIM)
A format to store images of applications and operating systems in image files. These images represent customized installations that can be distributed to other computers and installed using a scripted solution.