Key Terms Vocabulary
Key Terms Vocabulary
Kenneesha Matthews
Seattle Cental
11/01/2025
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Windows: An operating system developed by Microsoft that provides a graphical interface for
Processor: The central processing unit (CPU) that executes instructions and performs
RAM (Random Access Memory): Temporary memory used by the computer to store data for
ROM (Read-Only Memory): Permanent memory that contains essential instructions for booting
Drives: Storage devices (e.g., hard drives, SSDs) used to store data and software permanently.
Video Systems: Hardware and software components responsible for rendering and displaying
Pointing Devices: Input devices like mice, touchpads, and styluses used to interact with a
computer’s interface.
Network Card: Hardware that enables a computer to connect to a network for data
communication.
User Mode: A restricted execution mode for running applications with limited access to system
resources.
Kernel Mode: A privileged execution mode allowing the operating system to control hardware
I/O Manager: Handles input/output operations between hardware devices and the operating
system.
and termination.
Power Manager: Manages the computer’s power usage, including sleep, hibernation, and
power-saving features.
Windows Manager: Handles graphical user interface (GUI) elements like windows, taskbars,
and menus.
Object Manager: Manages system resources as objects, providing a consistent interface for
Device Driver: Software that allows the operating system to communicate with hardware
devices.
FAT (File Allocation Table): An older file system used for organizing and storing data on
drives.
FAT32: An improved version of FAT, supporting larger storage sizes and better performance.
NTFS (New Technology File System): A modern file system offering better security,
CDFS (Compact Disc File System): A file system used for reading data on optical discs like
CDs.
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Network Security: Measures and protocols to protect data and resources from unauthorized
access or cyberattacks.
Virus Protection: Software and strategies designed to detect, prevent, and remove malicious
programs.
Firewall: A security system that monitors and controls incoming and outgoing network traffic.
Work Groups: Peer-to-peer networks that allow resource sharing between computers in the
same group.
Windows Server: A Microsoft server operating system used for hosting applications, managing
Domain: A centralized network model where a server manages user accounts and permissions.
Active Directory
A directory service by Microsoft for managing users, groups, and computers in a domain.
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Server Roles: Functions performed by a server, such as file sharing, web hosting, or managing
domains.
Objects: Entities within Active Directory like users, groups, and printers.
Schema: Defines the structure and rules for objects in Active Directory.
Forest: A collection of domains and their shared configuration within Active Directory.
Group Accounts: Accounts used to manage permissions for multiple users collectively.
Global Groups: Groups used to organize users across multiple domains in a forest.
Universal Groups: Groups that can include users and groups from any domain within a forest.
Policies: Rules and settings applied to manage users, computers, and security.
Client Software: Applications running on client devices to interact with servers or services.
Share Permissions: Settings determining access levels (read, write, full control) for shared
resources.
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Event Viewer: A Windows tool for viewing logs about system and application events.