Lesson 2: Understanding Operating System Configurations

Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-ins

An MMC snap-in is a utility provided by Microsoft or a third party that's accessible through a common interface such as Administrative Tools.

virtual machine (VM)

Because the resulting runtime environment is completely softwarebased, the software produces what's called a virtual computer or a virtual machine (VM) . Virtualization is a term used to describe the work involved in setting up all the data structures necessary to represent and run a VM on a physical computer of some kind.

Quick Start definitions

From an end-user perspective, these elements of Med-V infrastructure are unobtrusive and almost entirely invisible. Though system and desktop administrators have to set up and configure this infrastructure, Med-V creates an end-user experience that is best described as "click and go," even though it uses the basic elements of Windows XP Mode in a centrally controlled and managed fashion.

Aero

The default theme in Windows

Jump List

The menu

permissions

These systems control the ability of the users to view or make changes to the contents of the filesystem

Aero Peek

To minimize all open windows at once, click the Show Desktop button. This button is the small shaded rectangle at the far right end of the taskbar. Pointing at it with your mouse pointer displays a preview of the desktop

desktop settings

Various settings that change the look and appearance of icons, backgrounds, and programs so that they meet standards and are cohesive with understanding the software

font size

You can enhance the appearance of your desktop by adjusting font size dpi to improve the readability of pixelated or illegible fonts.

virtualized client

a VM that's set up specifically to run some kind of application that typically runs in an older version of Windows (such as Windows 2000 or Windows XP)

display settings

a broad term that refers to many different settings you can configure to personalize Windows, such as the Windows theme, the desktop background, mouse clicks and pointer speeds, gadgets, shortcuts, and more.

user account

a collection of information that defines the actions that can be taken on a computer and which files and folders can be accessed

User Account Control (UAC)

a feature in Windows Vista and Windows 7 that requires administrative-level permission to make changes to your computer that affect security or affect settings for other user accounts.

Administrative Tools

a set of utilities for managing advanced Windows features and diagnosing system problems

gadget

a small, single-purpose application that can be installed on the Windows 7 desktop.

virtualization

a technology that creates an abstract version of a complete operating environment (including a processor, memory, storage, network links, a display, and so forth) entirely in software.

Control Panel

a utility that allows you to configure operating system features, set up hardware, install and uninstall software, create and modify users, and perform system maintenance

guest operating system (guest OS)

a virtualized client runs as a VM inside what's called a guest operating system or guest OS within a virtual runtime environment (such as Windows Virtual PC or VMware Workstation).

application virtualization

adds the ability to install and manage legacy applications and virtual machines centrally.

cached credentials

allow the user to access resources when a domain controller is unavailable.

Aero Shake

allows you to quickly minimize all open windows except the active one.

Aero Snap

allows you to quickly resize and arrange windows on the desktop

Windows XP Mode

an add-on that Microsoft makes available as an extension to Windows Virtual PC. When you install this virtual machine environment on a Windows 7 computer, users can run applications inside the VM that won't work on Windows 7.

shortcuts

an icon or link that gives you quick access to an original resource.

user profile

contains your desktop settings (your theme, desktop background, screen saver, and so on) and other personal preferences. The purpose of a user profile is to maintain your preferences so they appear each time you log on to Windows.

Standard user account

has fewer permissions than an administrative-level account but enough permissions to be productive. You should use a standard account for day-to-day work.

Accessibility Options

help visually and hearing impaired users use Windows more easily and efficiently. The primary tools include Magnifier, Narrator, On-Screen Keyboard, and High Contrast.

Guest account

is simply an account with few permissions and no password that allows a user to use a computer without requiring a unique user account. The Guest account is intended mainly for a user who needs temporary use of a computer, and is disabled by default.

authentication

means the domain controller checks the user's credentials, which are generally a user name and password. The user name entered must match the password on file. The domain controller also checks the permissions a user has to resources on the network.

Ease of Access Center

provides many accessibility options , which help visually and hearing impaired users use Windows more easily and efficiently.

Administrator account

provides the broadest permissions and therefore the most control over the computer. This includes changing all settings, installing programs, and modifying the Windows registry

elevated permissions

refer to administrative-level permissions.

color depth

refers to the number of bits that represents the color for each pixel on the screen. Color depths are generally 8 bits, 16 bits, 24 bits, and 32 bits; newer systems offer only 24 or 32 bits. The higher the color depth, the better photos and similar objects will look. You set color depth in the Advanced settings window of the Display control.

resolution

refers to the number of pixels that create the "image," that is, everything you see on the screen

virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI)

runs a desktop OS within a virtual machine (VM) running on a server.

pin

the ability to pin program shortcuts directly to the taskbar; when you pin a program, the icon for that program displays on the taskbar even when the program isn't running

Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualization (Med-V or MED-V)

the part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP), which delivers legacy applications to Windows 7 users in the form of Windows-XP based virtual machines. It provides a mechanism for providing uninterrupted access to legacy applications while Windows 7 upgrades and transitions are underway.

virtual computer

the resulting runtime environment is completely softwarebased, the software produces what's called a virtual computer or a virtual machine (VM)