Operating Systems Key Terms Flashcards
file system
A general term for how an operating system stores various types of
files
(FAT32)
The Windows file system introduced in 1995 that has a 32-bit file allocation table, which allows for 268,435,456 entries (232) per drive.
(exFAT)
Also known as FAT64, a file system designed to enable mobile personal
storage media to be used seamlessly on mobile and desktop computers
open source
Software that can be freely accessed, used, changed, and shared (in modified or unmodified form) by anyone.
closed source
An operating system or other software that cannot be modified
without express permission and licensing.
smartphone
A phone that has a CPU and RAM, that can run apps, and that can
support Android or iOS or Windows Mobile OS.
Android
An open source operating system based on the Linux kernel and used mostly on smartphones and tablet computers. Android is developed by the Open
Handset Alliance, a group directed by Google.
iOS
Apple’s closed source mobile OS, used by iPod Touch, iPad, and iPhone devices.
Chrome
Google’s open source mobile operating system, which is chiefly designed
to run on web-based applications and is installed on Chromebooks, which are an inexpensive laptop option.
Netboot
The process of booting to a network OS image
in-place upgrade
A type of upgrade that involves updating an installation to the new version with the existing configuration. Another name for a repair installation
in Windows
repair installatioin
A Windows installation option in which the OS is installed over the same version to fix problems with the previous installation. Also known as an in-place upgrade.
image deployment
The process of installing Microsoft Windows from an image. Also known as disk cloning.
primary partition
A disk partition that can be bootable and that is created with Disk Management in Windows, with DISKPART, or during OS installation
extend (partition)
A disk management option to increase the size of a disk volume into unallocated space.
GUID partition table (GPT)
a table used for hard drives over 2.1TB in size
basic (disk type)
A disk in Windows that is bootable and can contain one or more primary partitions.
dynamic (disk type)
A disk in Windows that is more versatile than a basic disk because it can span two physical drives into a single logical drive, create striped or
mirrored arrays, and adjust the size of a partition.
Compact Disc File System (CDFS)
a file system used for CD media.
New Technology File System (NTFS)
the native secure file
system of Windows 7/8/8.1/10
Encrypting File System (EFS)
A feature used to protect sensitive data files and
temporary files through encryption that can be applied to individual files or folders
factory recovery partition
A disk partition that contains a special recovery image of a Windows installation.
(DIR)
A Windows command that displays list of a folder’s files and subfolders
CD (CHDIR)
A Windows command used to change the working directory
IPCONFIG
A Windows command that displays TCP/IP network information on a device.
PING
A Windows command that sends IP packets to check network connectivity.
TRACERT
A Windows command that is similar to ping but returns path information to an IP address destination. traceroute is a similar command used in macOS
and Linux.
NETSTAT
A Windows command that displays a list of active TCP connections on a local network
NSLOOKUP
A Windows command that gathers a network’s Domain Name System (DNS) information.
SHUTDOWN
A Windows command that shuts down a computer
Deployment Image Servicing Management (DISM)
a Windows command that services images.
SFC
A Windows command that scans system files and replaces damaged or missing files
CHKDSK
A Windows command that scans a specified drive for errors and repairs them
DISKPART
A Windows command that creates, removes, and manages disk partitions
TASKKILL
A Windows command that stops specified task(s) on a local or remote computer
GPUPDATE
A Windows command that refreshes group policy on local or Active Directory systems.
GPRESULT
A Windows command that displays the resultant set of policy for the specified computer and user
FORMAT
A Windows command that creates or re-creates the specified file system on recordable or rewritable storage (magnetic, flash, or optical). In the process,
the contents of the drive are overwritten
COPY
A Windows command that copies one or more files to another folder or drive.
XCOPY
A Windows command that copies one or more files and folders to another folder or drive.
ROBOCOPY
A Windows command that is used as a highly configurable file/
folder copy and move app. Can be configured via various optional GUIs.
NET USE
A Windows command that connects to shared folders; similar to mapping a network drive.
NET USER
A Windows command used to manage user accounts (adding, removing, changing)
[Command]/?
A Windows command that displays help for the specified command
standard format
A type of format that clears the root folder (directory) of a drive. However, data can still be recovered from the drive.
low-level format
The format process used to prepare a hard disk drive or solid-state drive (SSD) at the factory. Although a true low-level format cannot be performed in the field, overwriting the drive’s surface with randomized data prevents existing information from being recovered
Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
a blank console that uses various snap-in
console windows. MMC saves the consoles you snap in and remembers the last place you were working, which makes it a valuable and time-saving tool
Local Security Policy
A security policy configured on an individual computer
using the Local Security Policy MMC snap-in.
Performance Monitor
A Windows Computer Management node that enables customized logging of system performance factors, including processor performance, memory transfers, and network performance.