Microsoft

Definitions for Microsoft Windows, including terms about bugs or patches and words and phrases about Microsoft operating systems.
  • Microsoft Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (Windows ADK) - The Microsoft Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit is a set of tools IT professionals can combine to prepare, assess and launch image-based Windows deployments.
  • Microsoft Windows Azure Active Directory (Windows Azure AD) - Microsoft Windows Azure Active Directory (Windows Azure AD or Azure AD) is a cloud service that provides administrators with the ability to manage end-user identities and access privileges.
  • Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) - Microsoft Windows Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) is a service in Microsoft Windows operating systems (OSes) that allows download from and upload of files to Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) web servers and Server Message Block (SMB) file servers.
  • Microsoft Windows Credential Guard - Microsoft Credential Guard is a security feature in Microsoft Windows operating system (OS) that isolates user credentials, such as login information, from the rest of the operating system.
  • Microsoft Windows Defender Device Guard - Windows Defender Device Guard is a security feature for Windows 10 and Windows Server designed to use application whitelisting and code integrity policies to protect users' devices from malicious code that could compromise the operating system.
  • Microsoft Windows Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) - Microsoft Windows Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is a command-line tool that allows IT administrators to service Windows desktop images and virtual hard disks prior to deployment to users.
  • Microsoft Windows Features on Demand - Microsoft Windows Features on Demand is a feature that allows system administrators to add or remove roles and features in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, and later versions of the client and server operating system to alter the file size of those operating systems.
  • Microsoft Windows File Explorer - Microsoft Windows File Explorer is a graphical file management utility for the Windows operating system (OS).
  • Microsoft Windows Hello - Microsoft Windows Hello is a biometric identity and access control feature that supports fingerprint scanners, iris scanners and facial recognition technology on compatible devices running Windows.
  • Microsoft Windows Insider Program for Business - Microsoft Windows Insider Program for Business is a service for IT professionals who want to test preview builds of Windows 10 and Windows Server in the enterprise before general availability.
  • Microsoft Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) - The Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) is a graphical user interface and front-end hosting application for Windows PowerShell.
  • Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) - The Microsoft Windows Recovery Environment, or Windows RE, is a simplified, scaled-back version of the Windows operating system that is used to boot the system when Windows 8.
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2016 - Microsoft Windows Server 2016 is Microsoft's server operating system (OS).
  • Microsoft Windows Server LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) - Microsoft Windows Server LTSC (Long-Term Servicing Channel) is one of the servicing options available for users of the Windows Server operating system (OS).
  • Microsoft Windows Server OS (operating system) - Microsoft Windows Server OS (operating system) is a series of enterprise-class server operating systems designed to share services with multiple users and provide extensive administrative control of data storage, applications and corporate networks.
  • Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) - Microsoft Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a series of Microsoft components that allow native Linux 64-bit Executable and Linkable Format (ELF64) binaries to run on the Windows kernel in the Windows 10 operating system (OS).
  • Microsoft Windows System Image Manager (SIM) - Microsoft Windows System Image Manager (SIM) is a tool in the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit that IT professionals can use to create and manage unattended setup answer files for Windows before installing the operating system.
  • Microsoft Windows Update - Microsoft Windows Update is a security service for Windows users that, once activated, automatically searches for and installs updates.
  • Monad Manifesto - The Monad Manifesto is a document written by Jeffrey Snover in 2002 that outlined his idea for a new Windows systems administration tool named Monad, which was changed to Windows PowerShell.
  • OST file (.ost) - An OST file (.
  • perpetual software license - A perpetual software license is a type of software license that authorizes an individual to use a program indefinitely.
  • Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) - The Preboot Execution Environment or PXE (commonly pronounced as pixie) is a client-server environment that enables network computers to boot over the network interface card (NIC), instead of from a CD-ROM or hard disk.
  • Process Explorer - Process Explorer is a free Windows task manager and system monitoring tool that details which programs in a user's system have a specific file or directory open.
  • registry key - In the Windows 98, CE, NT, and 2000 operating systems, a registry key is an organizational unit in the Windows registry.
  • remote code execution (RCE) - Remote code execution (RCE) is when an attacker accesses a target computing device and makes changes remotely, no matter where the device is geographically located.
  • remote desktop connection broker - A remote desktop connection broker is software that allows a remote desktop client to connect to a remote desktop host or server.
  • Remote Desktop Services (RDS) - Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is an umbrella term for features of Microsoft Windows Server that allow users to remotely access graphical desktops and Windows applications.
  • Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) - Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) is a role in Remote Desktop Services (RDS).
  • Remoting (PowerShell Remoting) - PowerShell Remoting is a feature in PowerShell that lets admins run commands on remote systems.
  • Resilient File System (ReFS) - A Resilient File System (ReFS) is a file system that Microsoft developed for use on a Windows operating system (OS) and is designed to overcome some of the limitations in the New Technology File System (NTFS).
  • RPC over HTTP - Remote Procedure Call over HTTP (RPC over HTTP) is a Microsoft protocol that enables Microsoft Outlook clients to access Microsoft Exchange servers over HTTP.
  • scareware - Scareware is a type of malware tactic used to manipulate victims into downloading or buying potentially malware-infested software.
  • Security Accounts Manager - The Security Accounts Manager (SAM) is a database file in the Microsoft Windows operating system that contains usernames and passwords.
  • service lifecycle management (SLM) - Service lifecycle management (SLM) describes the strategy and software for managing the maintenance and repair of products and maximizing the profit opportunities from these activities.
  • SharePoint administrator - A SharePoint administrator is the person who oversees an organization's installation and operation of the Microsoft SharePoint collaboration and content management platform.
  • SharePoint Online - Microsoft SharePoint Online is a collection of cloud- and web-based technologies that make it easy for organizations to store, share and manage digital information.
  • SMB 3.0 (Server Message Block 3.0) - SMB 3 (Server Message Block 3.
  • System Insights - System Insights is a feature that debuted in Windows Server 2019 that processes data and uses predictive analytics to warn administrators of potential issues with Windows Server deployments.
  • Task Manager - Task Manager, which was previously known as Microsoft Windows Task Manager, is a component of the Windows operating system (OS) that helps administrators and end users monitor, manage and troubleshoot tasks.
  • USB redirection - USB redirection is a technology that enables an end user to plug an external device into a USB port on their endpoint and access the device from within a remote desktop or application.
  • Virtual Machine Management Service - The Virtual Machine Management service, also known as VMMS or vmms.
  • virtualization-based security (VBS) - Virtualization-based security (VBS) is a technology that abstracts computer processes from the underlying operating system (OS) and, in some cases, hardware.
  • What is an operating system (OS)? - An operating system (OS) is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer by a boot program, manages all the other application programs in a computer.
  • What is Azure SQL Data Warehouse? - Azure SQL Data Warehouse is a managed Data Warehouse-as-a Service (DWaaS) offering provided by Microsoft Azure.
  • What is BitLocker? - BitLocker Drive Encryption, or BitLocker, is a Microsoft Windows security and encryption feature.
  • What is Group Policy Object (GPO) and why is it important? - Microsoft’s Group Policy Object (GPO) is a collection of Group Policy settings that defines what a system will look like and how it will behave for a defined group of users.
  • What is Microsoft Azure File Service? - Microsoft Azure Files -- sometimes known as Microsoft Azure File Service -- is a simple, secure, serverless, fully managed and cloud-based file sharing service for enterprise users.
  • What is Microsoft Copilot? In-depth guide to versions and uses - Microsoft Copilot is an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chat service that integrates with many other Microsoft applications and services to support user efficiency and productivity.
  • What is Microsoft Power BI? Uses, features and guide - Microsoft Power BI is a business intelligence (BI) platform that provides nontechnical business users with tools for aggregating, analyzing, visualizing and sharing data.
  • What is Microsoft SharePoint and its important features? - Microsoft SharePoint is a document management and collaboration platform that helps organizations oversee, control and work with archives, documents, reports and other content that is vital to their business processes.
  • What is remote desktop protocol (RDP)? - Remote desktop protocol (RDP) is a secure network communications protocol developed by Microsoft.
  • What is SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS)? - SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS) is a SQL Server subsystem that enables the creation of graphical, mobile and printed reports using SQL Server and other data sources.
  • Windows - Windows is Microsoft's flagship operating system (OS), the de facto standard for home and business computers.
  • Windows 10 (Microsoft Windows 10) - Windows 10 is a Microsoft operating system for personal computers, tablets, embedded devices and internet of things devices.
  • Windows 10 Update Assistant - Windows 10 Update Assistant is a native update management tool designed to help individual users keep up with OS updates as Microsoft publishes them.
  • Windows 7 - Windows 7 is the Microsoft Windows operating system (OS) released commercially in October 2009 as the successor to Windows Vista.
  • Windows as a service - Windows as a service is the approach Microsoft introduced with Windows 10 to deploy, update and service the operating system.
  • Windows Autopilot - Windows Autopilot is a desktop provisioning tool native to Windows 10 that allows IT professionals to automate image deployment of new desktops with preset configurations.
  • Windows CE - Windows CE is a version of Microsoft's Windows operating system (OS) that is designed for mobile and other space-constrained devices with small footprints.
  • Windows containers - Windows containers provide abstracted, isolated, lightweight and portable operating environments for application development on a single system.
  • Windows Defender Application Guard - Windows Defender Application Guard is a security tool built into Microsoft Edge that isolates browser sessions from the desktop in a virtual machine (VM) to prevent any malicious activity from reaching the desktop.
  • Windows Imaging Format (WIM) - Windows Imaging Format (WIM) is used for the creation and distribution of disk image files.
  • Windows key (winkey) - The Windows key (winkey) is a button on a Windows computer keyboard.
  • Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) - Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) is a set of specifications from Microsoft for consolidating the management of devices and applications in a network from Windows computing systems.
  • Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) utility - The Windows Management Instrumentation Command-line (WMIC) utility is a command-line interface for working with Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI), a framework for managing data and operations on a Windows computer.
  • Windows NT - Windows NT was a family of operating systems (OS) developed by Microsoft for personal computers and servers.
  • Windows Process Activation Service (WPAS) - Windows Process Activation Service (WAS) is a tool for managing worker processes that contain applications that host Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) services.
  • Windows reboot loop - A reboot loop (or boot loop) occurs when a Windows device unexpectedly restarts at some point during its startup process.
  • Windows Registry Editor (regedit) - The Windows Registry Editor (regedit) is a graphical tool in the Microsoft Windows operating system (OS) that enables authorized users to view the Windows registry and make changes.
  • Windows Server Client Access License (CAL) - A Windows Server Client Access License (CAL) is a license that gives a user or device the right to access services, such as printing or access to a file share, from a server running the Windows Server operating system (OS).
  • Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) - Windows Server Failover Clustering (WSFC) enables several computers to host a service, and if one has a fault, the remaining computers automatically take over the hosting of the service.
  • Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) - Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a Windows server role that can plan, manage and deploy updates, service packs, patches and hotfixes for Windows servers, client operating systems (OSes) and other Microsoft software.
  • Windows Sharepoint Services (WSS) - Windows Sharepoint Services (WSS) is a portal-based platform for creating, managing and sharing documents and customized Web services.
  • Windows Sysinternals - Windows Sysinternals is a collection of 70 freeware utilities that Microsoft offers IT administrators and developers to help them monitor, manage, diagnose and troubleshoot Windows systems and their applications.