A list of useful terms for the Windows ecosystem software and hardware.
A
Android runtime (ART) is the managed runtime used by applications and some system services on Android. ART and its predecessor Dalvik were originally created specifically for the Android project.
Active Directory is a directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks. It is included in most Windows Server operating systems as a set of processes and services.
AdvancedRun is a simple tool for Windows that allows you to run a program with different settings that you choose, including low or high priority, start directory, main window state (Minimized/Maximized), run the program with different user or permissions, Operating system compatibility settings, and environment variables. It can also save the desired settings into a configuration file and then run the program automatically from command-line with the desired settings.
AllThreadsView is a simple tool for Windows that displays a list of all running threads from all processes on your system in one table. For every thread, the following information is displayed: Thread ID, Creation Time, Kernel Time, User Time, Duration, Start Address, Priority, Base Priority, Context Switch Count, Context Switch Change (Since the last refresh), Wait Reason, Process ID, Process Path.
AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) is an open source, high-quality solution for producing high resolution frames from lower resolution inputs.
AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR) 2.0 is an open source, high-quality solution for producing high resolution frames from lower resolution inputs. It uses temporal data and optimized anti-aliasing to boost framerates in supported games while delivering similar or better image quality than native resolution without requiring dedicated machine learning hardware.
AMD FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 (FSR 3), is the latest version of the company’s upscaling tech. AMD claims it’ll provide 2x times increase in frame rate over FSR 2, boosted by the new AMD Fluid Motion Frames technology.
AMD Radeon Super Resolution (RSR) is a feature that works at the graphics-drivers level rather than at the game-engine level. Therefore, it has no control over game settings, and doesn't require any developer support. It's not meant to replace FidelityFX Super Resolution (FSR), but rather provide a way for gamers to improve the performance of any game at minimal image quality loss.
ARM64EC (“Emulation Compatible”) is a new application binary interface (ABI) for Windows 11 on ARM that runs with native speed and is interoperable with x64 architecture. An app, process, or even a module can freely mix and match with ARM64EC and x64 as needed.
Azure is a Microsoft's cloud computing platform.
B
BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature that integrates with the operating system and addresses the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or inappropriately decommissioned computers.
Batch file is a script file in DOS, OS/2 and Microsoft Windows. It consists of a series of commands to be executed by the command-line interpreter.
BatteryHistoryView is atool that extracts and displays the history information of the laptop battery stored in the SRUDB.dat database of Windows 10 and Windows 11. The battery history information is automatically collected by Windows operating systems and includes the following information: Timestamp, Cycle Count, Designed Capacity, Full Charged Capacity, Charge Level, Charge Percent, Active AC Time, CS AC Time, Active DC Time, CS DC Time, Active Discharge Time, CS Discharge Time, Active Energy, CS Energy.
BlueScreenView is a tool that scans all your minidump files created during 'blue screen of death' crashes, and displays the information about all crashes in one table. For each crash, BlueScreenView displays the minidump filename, the date/time of the crash, the basic crash information displayed in the blue screen (Bug Check Code and 4 parameters), and the details of the driver or module that possibly caused the crash (filename, product name, file description, and file version).
BluetoothView is a small utility that runs in the background, and monitor the activity of Bluetooth devices around you. For each detected Bluetooth device, it displays the following information: Device Name, Bluetooth Address, Major Device Type, Minor Device Type, First Detection Time, Last Detection Time, and more.
BulkFileChanger is a small utility that allows you to create files list from multiple folders, and then make some action on them. Modify their created/modified/accessed time, change their file attribute (Read Only, Hidden, System), run an executable with these files as parameter, and copy/cut paste into Explorer.
C
Command prompt (CMD) is the command-line interpreter of Windows operating systems.
Compatibility Support Module (CSM) is a component of the UEFI firmware, which provides legacy BIOS compatibility by emulating a BIOS environment, allowing legacy operating systems and some option ROMs that do not support UEFI to still be used.
D
Defender Security Center is a user portal where you can access Microsoft Defender for Endpoint capabilities. It gives enterprise security operations teams a single pane of glass experience to help secure networks.
Defender is the built-in antivirus for Windows that protects you from the malicious sites you weren't expecting.
D3D11On12 is a mechanism by which developers can use D3D11 interfaces and objects to drive the D3D12 API. D3D11on12 enables components written using D3D11 (for example, D2D text and UI) to work together with components written targeting the D3D12 API.
DirectX Raytracing (DXR) is an API that focuses on delivering high performance by giving the application signficant low-level control, as with earlier versions of DirectX 12.
DirectStorage API is an API in the DirectX family originally designed for the Velocity Architecture to Windows.
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) is as a Windows 10/11 tool designed to help network administrators prepare, modify, restore, and repair Windows images, including those used for Windows PE, Windows Recovery Environment (Windows RE) and Windows Setup.
Dynamics 365 is the essential business solution for busy professionals who need to engage with customers while staying productive at work and on the go. Arrive prepared for every appointment and update notes, tasks, and attachments. Along with relevant service and sales records.
DNSLookupView is a DNS tracing tool for Windows that allows you to view the details of every DNS query sent through the DNS Client service of Windows. For every DNS query, the following information is displayed: Host Name, Query Type (A, AAAA, and so on), Query Status (Error or succeeded), Query Result, Query Timestamp, ID and name of the process that requested the DNS lookup.
DriveLetterView is a simple utility that allows you to view the list of all drive letter assignments in your system, including local drives, remote network drives, CD/DVD drives, and USB drives - even if they are not currently plugged. It also allows you to easily change a drive letter of USB devices and remote network shares, as well as to delete a drive letter of USB device that is not plugged.
E
eBPF for Windows is an eBPF implementation that runs on top of Windows. eBPF is a well-known technology for providing programmability and agility, especially for extending an OS kernel, for use cases such as DoS protection and observability.
Edge is a proprietary, cross-platform web browser created by Microsoft. It's available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
Excel is a spreadsheet developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
F
File Explorer, previously known as Windows Explorer, is a file manager for the Windows desktop.
G
Geforce NOW is NVIDIA's Cloud Gaming Service.
GOG GALAXY is a fully optional client to install, play and update your games.
H
Heroic is an Open Source Game Launcher for Linux, Windows and macOS (for both Native and Windows Games using Crossover).
High Dynamic Range (HDR) is a feature that offers better brightness and color capabilities compared to traditional content (Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) content). HDR can show a wider range of colors and light and more details in between the extremes. Colors are more vivid and unique in HDR content.
I
Intel XeSS (Xe Super Sampling), is an upscaling feature of Intel Arc Alchemist graphics cards. It works by rendering your game at a lower resolution and then upscaling it using machine learning and dedicated AI hardware found inside the GPU. This helps it improve performance while maintaining as much image quality as possible.
Itch.io Store is an app that lets you effortlessly download and run games and software from itch.io.
J
K
KDE Connect is a tool that lets you easily link up your phone to your computer, your computer to your tablet; or your computer to your Steam Deck device.
L
Language Server Protocol (LSP) is a tool that defines the protocol used between an editor or IDE and a language server that provides language features like auto complete, go to definition, find all references.
M
MAUI is the .NET Multi-platform App UI, a framework for building native device applications spanning mobile, tablet, and desktop.
N
.NET is a developer platform with tools and libraries for building any type of app, including web, mobile, desktop, games, IoT, cloud, and microservices.
NuGet Package Manager collection of tools to automate the process of downloading, installing, upgrading, configuring, and removing packages from a VS Project.
NVIDIA DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is a Nvidia RTX feature that provides AI-powered performance multiplier which boosts frame rates by up to 4X. It uses Deep learning to produce an image that looks like a higher-resolution image of the original lower resolution image at a playable game frame rate and responsiveness.
NVIDIA Reflex is a feature that delivers latency improvements in GPU-intensive gaming scenarios on NVIDIA RTX graphics cards. It can lower rendering lag by as much as 80%.
O
Office is Microsoft's office suite for word processing, powerpoints, spreadsheets, etc.
OneDrive is Microsoft's cloud storage to store photos and documents(Word, Excel or PowerPoint) online and you can access them from any Windows, macOS, Android and iOS device.
Outlook is Microsoft's Email service.
P
Powerpoint is a presentation program developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
PowerToys is a set of utilities for power users to tune and streamline their Windows 10/11 experience for greater productivity.
Q
Qt is a cross-platform application development framework for desktop, embedded and mobile. Supported Platforms include Linux, MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.
Quick Resume is a feature on the Xbox Series X & Series S consoles, where you can jump back into your games right where you left off. When you switch from one game to another, the console saves the state of the current game. If there's a Quick Resume state for a game that you switch to, the console will load that state for you. Note, that Quick Resume will be coming to Windows in the near future through DirectStorage.
R
Ray tracing is a method of graphics rendering that simulates the physical behavior of light.
Rufus is a utility that helps format and create bootable USB flash drives.
S
Secure boot is a security standard developed by members of the PC industry to help make sure that a device boots(Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) BIOS) using only software(such as bootloaders, OS, UEFI drivers, and utilities) that is trusted by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
SFC (System File Checker) is a utility in Microsoft Windows that allows users to scan for and restore corrupted Windows system files.
sfc /scannow is a command will scan all protected system files, and replace corrupted files with a cached copy that is located in a compressed folder at %WinDir% \System32\dllcache. The %WinDir% placeholder represents the Windows operating system folder.
SharePoint is a team collaboration tool that shares and manages content, knowledge, and applications to empower teamwork, quickly find information, and seamlessly collaborate across the organization.
Sysinternals Suite is the entire set of Sysinternals Utilities rolled up into a single download. Also, checkout the Sysinternals Utilities Index.
T
Task Manager is a system monitor program used to provide information about the processes and applications running on a computer, as well as the general status of the computer.
Teams is a business communication platform to chat, meet, call, and collaborate all in one place. Developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
U
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is a tiny operating system that runs on top of the PC's firmware, and it can do a lot more than a BIOS. It may be stored in flash memory on the motherboard, or it may be loaded from a hard drive or network share at boot.
V
Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) is a key feature that dynamically adjusts its refresh rate based on the frame rate of the content you’re viewing without user input. A display supporting a variable refresh rate usually supports a specific range of refresh rates (30Hz-144Hz).
Visual Studio Code is a code editor redefined and optimized for building and debugging modern web and cloud applications.
Visual Studio is an integrated development environment from Microsoft. It's used to develop computer programs including websites, web apps, web services and mobile apps.
ViVe is a C# library you can use to make your own programs that interact with Windows 10/11's A/B feature mechanism.
Vulkan is a low-overhead graphics and compute API for high-efficiency, cross-platform access to GPUs.
W
Windows Terminal is a multi-tabbed terminal emulator that Microsoft has developed for Windows 10 and later as a replacement for Windows Console.
Windows as a Service (WaaS) is a new development concept, introduced with the release of Windows 11. It simplifies the lives of IT professionals and maintains a consistent Windows 11 experience for all Windows customers.
Windows Virtual Desktop is a service that enables a secure, remote desktop experience from anywhere.
Windows Subsystem for Android (WSA) is a feature of Windows that allows users and developers to utilize a virtual machine (VM) which provides compatibility with the AOSP framework and devices like keyboards, mice, touch, pen, etc.
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a feature of Windows that allows developers to run a Linux environment without the need for a separate virtual machine (VM) or dual-booting.
Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a recovery environment that can repair common causes of unbootable operating systems. It's based on Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE), and can be customized with additional drivers, languages, Windows PE Optional Components, and other troubleshooting and diagnostic tools.
Word is a word processing software developed by Microsoft for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.
WinDirStat(Windows Directory Statistics) is a disk usage statistics viewer and cleanup tool for various versions of Microsoft Windows.
X
Xbox Game Pass is a video game subscription services from Microsoft.
Y
Z