Alt

Keyboard key used with other keys at the same time as a shortcut, often to access menus.

Application

A collection of tools used to perform a specified set of tasks on the computer. Also referred to as software, or a software program.

ASCII

American Standard Code for Information Exchange – a text-only file format that can be understood by different programs and operating systems.

Background

The pattern or picture always displayed on the desktop when no other windows are open or covering it.

Backing up

Storing safe copies of files, usually on portable media such as floppy disks, ZIP drives, CDs, and backup tape drives.

Clipboard

Temporary storage space in computer memory. Cut or copy data to place it on the clipboard. Switching off the computer clears the clipboard. Adding new data to the clipboard removes previously stored data.

Control Panel

Special folder containing tools to change computer settings, provided with the Windows operating system.

Copy

Duplicate highlighted or selected data into the clipboard temporary storage area. Retrieve data using Paste or the Clipboard Viewer.

Ctrl

Keyboard key used with other keys at the same time as a shortcut, often to access menus

Cut

Remove highlighted or selected data, storing it in the clipboard temporary storage area. Retrieve data using Paste or the Clipboard Viewer.

Delete

Remove highlighted or selected data from a file or from the computer.

Desktop

Work space filling the screen from the time the computer is turned on to the time it is turned off; provides a place to store and work with icons, desktop components, application windows, and dialog boxes.

Directory

Same as a Folder. Stores and organizes files, programs, and other folders.

Disk

Medium of storage for computer data, such as hard disks, floppy disks, and CDs.

Download

Copy files onto the computer from another source, such as a computer on the Internet.

Drag & Drop

Method of moving icons representing files, folders, and programs from one location to another.

File

A collection of data stored as one unit. All data on the computer are stored as files

Floppy disk

Storage medium for computer files. Small square objects that are easy to insert and remove from the computer case. Standard floppy disks include 3.5-inch disks, and the older 5.25-inch disks.

Folder

Same as a Directory. Stores and organizes files, programs, and other folders.

Fonts

Complete typeset or character style of one size and face. There are many fonts available on your computer, including TrueType fonts.

Hard disk

Storage medium for all programs and files on the computer. The hard disk acts as the long-term memory storage of the computer’s "brain." Hard disk size (disk space) is measured in megabytes (MB).

Hardware

Physical devices or components that can be added to the computer, either inside the case or plugged in outside the case. Hardware includes the processor and memory inside the computer case, as well as printers, CD drives, and many other available components.

Highlighting

Act of selecting items on the screen. When items and text are selected, their appearance changes

HTML

Hyper Text Markup Language – a text-based file format that can be interpreted and displayed in Internet browsing programs

Hyperlinks

Same as links. Text or pictures that can be clicked to open other files, web pages, or start programs.

Iconify

Shrinking windows to the taskbar; also known as "minimizing." Iconifying closes the window, but keeps the program running with any open documents. A button on the taskbar represents the window after (and before) it is minimized

Icons

Small pictures representing programs, files, shortcuts, printers, and other items.

Internet

A worldwide network of computer systems containing and sharing information

Links

Same as hyperlinks. Text or pictures that can be clicked to open other files, web pages, or start programs.

Loading a file

Opening a file in a program.

Maximize

Expanding a window to fill the entire screen

Memory

The computer chips that process programs running on the computer. Memory acts as the short-term memory of the computer’s "brain." More memory enables more and bigger programs to be used. Memory is measured in megabytes (MB).

Menu

A pull-down or pop-up list of tools or options in Windows or Windows programs

Minimize

Shrinking windows to the taskbar; also known as "iconifying." Minimizing closes the window, but keeps the program running with any open documents. A button on the taskbar represents the window after (and before) it is minimized.

Monitor

The visual display device for the computer. The screen is part of the monitor.

Mouse

The hand-held device with buttons used to move around in the Windows environment on your computer

MS-DOS

Operating system available before Windows was created. Windows includes the ability to work in an MS-DOS environment

My Computer

Scaled down version of Windows Explorer available through a shortcut icon on the desktop. Displays the contents of a single folder

Notepad

Windows software program for editing text.

Paste

Insert data from the Clipboard (stored by a Copy or Cut command.)

Plug & Play

Type of hardware that can be added to the computer with minimal or no setup. Windows automatically detects the new hardware device, and installs any required software

Program

A collection of electronic tools used to perform a specified set of tasks on the computer. Also referred to as an application. Programs can be loaded onto the computer from disks or through an Internet connection

Right-click

Press and release the right mouse button

Screen saver

Program that automatically starts after the computer is not used for a specified amount of time. The screen saver prolongs the life of the monitor

Scroll bar

The sliding button used to move the content of a window vertically or horizontally. The vertical scroll bar looks like an elevator shaft along the right side of a window or web page frame.

Shortcut

An icon providing quick access to a file – such as a program or document or printer. Acts as a link to a file. A shortcut icon appears similar to the program icon to which it points. A small black curved arrow in the lower left corner of the icon shows that it is a shortcut.

Software

The programs and applications used on the computer hardware. "Running" a program and "executing" a program are different ways of saying that you are using the software program.

Start menu

List of options acting as a remote control for the entire computer; accessed with the Start button on the left end of the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.

Taskbar

Rectangular bar at the bottom of the screen containing the Start button, buttons for any programs running, and a clock

Title bar

The rectangular region that spans the top of a program window

Tool Tips

Help messages that automatically appear when the mouse pointer remains in a position over an item on the screen without clicking a mouse button.

Toolbar

Rectangular bars available in many programs containing buttons. Toolbar buttons access program functions, shortcuts, or other programs.

TrueType

Scalable fonts that appear the same on the screen and printer. They work in all Windows software applications. TrueType fonts can be identified by the TT logo near the font name in any font pull-down menu.

Upload

Copy files from the computer to another source, such as a computer on the Internet

WAV file

Files containing audio (sound) information. Pronounced "wave" files, the file name extension is WAV.

Windows

The software program known as the operating system for the computer. It enables you to communicate with your computer hardware and to use other software programs.