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.
AMD Radeon™ Image Sharpening is a image-sharpening technology that employs a contrast adaptive sharpening algorithm using AI that restores clarity to in-game visuals that may have been softened by other effects, bringing out better details of objects without creating some of the visual artifacts seen in other sharpening effects.
AMD HYPR-RX is a driver-level switch you can flip to enable Radeon Boost, Radeon Anti-Lag, and Radeon Super Resolution features all at once in all games that support them.
AMD FreeSync is an AMD technology for the refresh rate of a display is synchronized with the framerate of FreeSync compatible graphics cards, reducing or eliminating visual artifacts that many users experience such as: input latency, screen tearing, and stuttering during gaming and video playback.
AMD PSP (Platform Security Processor) is an on-die, isolated security processor that runs independently from the main x86 cores of the platform. Security-sensitive components run on the PSP without being affected by the commodity or untrusted software running on the x86 cores. The PSP executes its own firmware and shares the SPI flash storage that is used by the system BIOS.
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.
CPU-Z is a system profiling and monitoring application for Windows that gathers information on some of the main devices of your system such as CPU, RAM, Mainboard chipset, and module specifications (SPD).
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.
Dell Integrated Dell Remote Access Controller (iDRAC) is a piece of hardware that sits on the server motherboard that allows Systems Administrators to update and manage Dell systems, even when the server is turned off. The iDRAC also provides both a web interface and command line interface that allows administrators to perform remote management tasks.
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.
Drvload is a tool that adds out-of-box drivers to a booted Windows Preinstallation Environment (Windows PE) image. It takes one or more driver .inf files as inputs. To add a driver to an offline Windows PE image, use the Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.
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.
EFI system partition (ESP) is an Operating System independent partition that acts as the storage place for the UEFI boot loaders, applications and drivers to be launched by the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware.
Extended Security Updates (ESU) is a program that provides customers who need to run certain legacy Microsoft products past the end of support. It includes Critical and/or Important security updates for a maximum of three years after the product's End of Extended Support date. How to get Extended Security Updates (ESU) for Windows Server.
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.
GPU-Z is a lightweight system utility designed to provide vital information about your video card and graphics processor.
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.
HPE Integrated Lights-Out (iLO) is a tool that makes it easy to remotely manage Integrity servers from just about anywhere in the world. Remotely manage system health over a secure LAN interface through either a text-based command-line control or from a browser-based, easy-to-use GUI.
I
Intel Extreme Tuning Utility (XTU) is an application used to overclock, monitor, and stress your Intel system. This application is supported with unlocked processors (K and X-series) only.
Intel ME (Management Engine) is an embedded microcontroller (integrated on some Intel chipsets) running a lightweight microkernel operating system that provides a variety of features and services for Intel® processor-based computer systems.
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.
KeyboardStateView is a simple tool for Windows that displays the current state and virtual key code of every key you press. It also allows you to view the current state of all keyboard keys. For every key, the following information is displayed: Key Name (VK_XXXX ), Description, Key Code (Decimal), Key Code (Hexadecimal), Key Pressed Status, Key Toggled Status (Useful for Num Lock, Caps Lock), and last time that the key was pressed.
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.
ManageWirelessNetworks is an alternative tool to the standard 'Manage Wireless Networks' of Windows (or 'Manage Known Networks' on Windows). It displays extensive information about every wireless profile on your system, even if the network adapter is not active. For every wireless profile, the following information is displayed: Profile Name, SSID, Connection Type, Connection Mode, Authentication, Encryption, Key Type, Auto Switch (Yes/No), Non Broadcast (Yes/No), Profile Position, Created Time, Modified Time, Wireless Key, and more.
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure Active Directory) is a service that manages user identities and control access to your apps, data, and resources. It protects, monitors, and audits access to critical assets in your organization.
MobileFileSearch is a tool for Windows that allows you to search files inside a mobile device (Smartphone or Tablet) plugged to the USB port on your computer, with Media Transfer Protocol (MTP). You can search files by their size, their created time, their modified time, or their name (using wildcard).
MultiMonitorTool is a small tool that allows you to do some actions related to working with multiple monitors. With MultiMonitorTool, you can disable/enable monitors, set the primary monitor, save and load the configuration of all monitors, and move windows from one monitor to another. You can do these actions from the user interface or from command-line, without displaying user interface.
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.
NetworkCountersWatch is a tool for Windows that displays system counters for every network interface on your system. The system counters include the number of incoming/outgoing bytes, number of incoming/outgoing packets, number of broadcast packets, and more.
NetworkInterfacesView is a simple tool that displays the list of all network adapters/interfaces installed on your system. It displays network interfaces that are currently active, as well as network interfaces that have been installed previously, and now they are not connected (like USB wireless network adapters). For every network interface found on your system, the following information is displayed (if it's stored in the Registry): Device Name, Connection Name, IP Address, Subnet Mask, Default Gateway, DHCP Server, Status, MAC Address and more.
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 DLAA (Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing) is a AI-based anti-aliasing mode for users who have spare GPU headroom and want higher levels of image quality. DLAA uses the same technology developed for DLSS, but works on a native resolution image to maximize image quality instead of boosting performance. It requires Tensor Cores available in Nvidia RTX cards.
NVIDIA DLSS Frame Generation is a feature in DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) and generates frames using AI to analyze two sequential in-game images (current and prior game frames) and calculates game engine data such as motion vectors and depth.
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.
PowerShell is a cross-platform task automation solution made up of a command-line shell, a scripting language, and a configuration management framework. It runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS.
PowerShell Execution Policy is a safety feature that controls the conditions under which PowerShell loads configuration files and runs scripts. This feature helps prevent the execution of malicious scripts.
PowerToys is a set of utilities for power users to tune and streamline their Windows 10/11 experience for greater productivity.
PingInfoView is a small utility that allows you to easily ping multiple host names and IP addresses, and watch the result in one table. It automatically ping to all hosts every number of seconds that you specify, and displays the number of succeed and failed pings, as well as the average ping time. You can also save the ping result into text/html/xml file, or copy it to the clipboard.
Product Key Scanner is a tool that scans the Registry of Windows Operating system and finds the product keys of Windows and other Microsoft products. You can scan the Registry of your current running system, as well as you can scan the Registry from external hard drive plugged to your computer.
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.
RunAsDate is a small utility that allows you to run a program in the date and time that you specify. This utility doesn't change the current system date and time of your computer, but it only injects the date/time that you specify into the desired application. It can run multiple applications simultaneously, each application works with different date and time, while the real date/time of your system continues to run normally.
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).
SearchMyFiles is an alternative to the standard "Search For Files And Folders" module of Windows. It allows you to easily search files in your system by wildcard, by last modified/created/last accessed time, by file attributes, by file content (text or binary search), and by the file size. SearchMyFiles allows you to make a very accurate search that cannot be done with Windows search.
SoundVolumeCommandLine is a console application that allows you to do many actions related to sound volume from command-line, including - set sound volume of devices and applications, mute/unmute devices and applications, increase/decrease volume of devices and applications, set the volume level of specific channel, set the default render/capture device, get the current sound volume level of specific device, and more.
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.
UninstallView is a tool for Windows that collects information about all programs installed on your system and displays the details of the installed programs in one table. You can use it to get installed programs information for your local system, for remote computer on your network, and for external hard-drive plugged to your computer. It also allows you to easily uninstall a software on your local computer and remote computer (Including quiet uninstall if the installer supports it).
USBDeview is a small utility that lists all USB devices that currently connected to your computer, as well as all USB devices that you previously used. For each USB device, extended information is displayed: Device name/description, device type, serial number (for mass storage devices), the date/time that device was added, VendorID, ProductID, and more.
USBLogView is a small utility that runs in the background and records the details of any USB device that is plugged or unplugged into your system. For every log line created by USBLogView, the following information is displayed: Event Type (Plug/Unplug), Event Time, Device Name, Description, Device Type, Drive Letter (For storage devices), Serial Number (Only for some types of devices), Vendor ID, Product ID, Vendor Name, Product Name, and more.
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 Server Update Services (WSUS) is a server role on your server, including network connections, firewall settings, proxy settings, SSL protocol, and computer groups.
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.
WakeMeOnLan is a utility allows you to easily turn on one or more computers remotely by sending Wake-on-LAN (WOL) packet to the remote computers. When your computers are turned on, WakeMeOnLan allows you to scan your network, and collect the MAC addresses of all your computers, and save the computers list info a file. Later, when your computers are turned off or in standby mode, you can use the stored computers list to easily choose the computer you want to turn on, and then turn on all these computers with a single click.
WhatInStartup is a utility that displays the list of all applications that are loaded automatically when Windows starts up. For each application, the following information is displayed: Startup Type (Registry/Startup Folder), Command-Line String, Product Name, File Version, Company Name, Location in the Registry or file system, and more. It allows you to easily disable or delete unwanted programs that run in your Windows startup. You can use it on your currently running instance of Windows, as well as you can use it on external instance of Windows in another drive.
WhoisThisDomain is a utility allows you to easily get information about a registered domain. It automatically connects to the right WHOIS server, according to the top-level domain name, and retrieve the WHOIS record of the domain. It supports both generic domains and country code domains.
WinDefThreatsView is tool for Windows 10 that displays the list of all threats detected by Windows Defender Antivirus and allows you to easily set the default action (Allow, Quarantine, Clean, Remove, Block, or No Action) for multiple threats at once. You can use this tool on your local computer and also on remote computer, as long as you have permission to access WMI on the remote machine.
WinUpdatesView is a simple tool that displays the history of Windows updates on your system. WinUpdatesView can load the Windows updates history from your local system, using API, and it can also read and parse the Windows updates database file (DataStore.edb) from external drive or from remote computer on your network. For every Windows update history record, WinUpdatesView displays the following fields: Title, Description, Install Date, Update Operation (Install, Uninstall, Not Started, In Progress), Operation Result (Succeeded, Succeeded With Errors, Failed, Aborted), Category, Information URL, Support URL, Uninstall Notes, Client Application ID, Service ID, Update ID, Revision Number, Unmapped Result Code, Server Selection, hResult.
X
Xbox Game Pass is a video game subscription services from Microsoft.
xemu is an original Xbox emulator.
Xenia is an Xbox 360 Emulator.
Y
yuzu is an experimental open-source emulator for the Nintendo Switch from the creators of Citra.
Z