Chapter 1: Office Terms

File

A collection of information that is stored on a computer under a single name, for example a text document, a picture or a program.

Keyboard Shortcut

A combination of two or more keyboard keys, used to preform a task that would otherwise require a mouse.

Desktop App

A computer program installed on the hard rive of a computer and that requires a computer operating system like Microsoft Windows or Apple OS to run.

Snap (desktop apps)

A Windows 8 desktop feature that automatically resizes windows when you move--snap--them to the edge of the screen.

App Bar

An area at the bottom of every Windows Store App containing various controls pertaining to the app.

Scroll Arrow

An arrow at the top and bottom, or left and right, of a scroll bar that when clicked, moves the window in small increments.

Start Tip

The thumbnail that displays when you point to the lower left corner of your screen.

Shortcut Menu

A convex-sensitive menu that displays commands and opinions relevant to the active object.

Dashboard

A descriptive term for the Windows 8 Start screen because it provides a one-screen view of links to information and programs that matter most to the signed in user.

Recycle Bin

A folder that stores anything that you delete from your computer, and from which anything stored can be retrieved until the contents are permanently deleted by activating the Empty Recycle Bin command.

Removable Storage Device

A portable device on which you can store files, such as a USB flash drive, a flesh memory card, or an external hard drive, commonly used to transfer information from one computer to another.

Charms

A set of buttons that display when you point or swipe in from the right side of the screen that you can use in every app- whether a Windows Store app or a desktop app- and that enable you to search, share, access devices, or adjust your PC settings.

Application

A set of instructions that a computer uses to accomplish a task; also called a program.

Clipboard

A temporary storage area for information that you have copied or moved from one place and plan to use somewhere else.

Wallpaper

Another term for the desktop background.

Lock Screen Apps

Apps that display on a Windows 8 App screen.

File List

Displays the contents of the current folder or library; if you type text into the Search box, only the folders and files that match your search will display here--including files in subfolders.

File Properties

Information about a file such as its author, the date the file was that changed, and any descriptive tags.

SkyDrive

Now called One Drive. A free file storage an file sharing service provided by Microsoft when you sign up for a Microsoft account.

Icons

Small images that represent commands, files, applications, or other windows.

Tiles

Square and rectangular boxes on the Windows 8 Start screen from which one can access apps, websites, programs, and tools for using the computer by simply clicking or tapping them.

Tile Bar

The bar across the top of the window that displays the program name.

Scroll Box

The box in a vertical or horizontal scroll bar that you drag to reposition the document on the screen.

Click

The action of pressing the left mouse button.

Desktop

The are in Windows 8 where you use desktop apps and that serves as a surface for your work, like the top of an actual desk.

Ribbon

The area at the top of a folder window in File Explorer that groups common tasks such as copying and moving, creating new folders, emailing and zipping items, and changing views on related tabs.

Taskbar

The area of the desktop that contains program buttons, and buttons for all open programs by default, it is located at the bottom of the desktop, but you can move it.

Start Screen

The first screen that displays after signing into a Windows 8 device, which displays square and rectangle boxes--referred to as tiles--from which one can access apps, websites, programs, and tools for using the computer by clicking or tapping them.

Lock Screen

The first screen that displays after turning on a Windows 8 device, which displays the time, date, and one or more icons representing the status of the device's internet connection, battery status on a tablet or laptop, and any Lock screen apps that are installed such as email notifications.

File Explorer

The program within Windows 8 that displays the contents of libraries, folders, ad files on your computer, and which also enables you to perform tasks related to your files and folders such as copying, moving, and renaming. File Explorer is at work anytime you are viewing the contents of a library, a folder, or a file.

Start Search

The search feature in Windows 8 in which, from the Start screen, you can begin to type and by default, Windows 8 searches for apps; you can adjust the search to search for files or settings.

App

The shortened version of the word application.

App Switcher

The thumbnail view of open apps that displays when you move your mouse down from the Back tip in the upper left corner; to switch to an app that is still open you can click any of the thumbnails.

Live Tiles

Tiles on the Windows 8 task screen that are constantly updated with fresh information relevant to the signed-in user, for example, the number of new email messages, new sports scores of interest, or new updates to social networks such as Facebook or Twitter.

Sleep

Turning off your computer in a manner that automatically saves your work, stops the fan, and uses a small amount of electrical power to maintain your work in memory.

Shut Down

Turning off your computer in a manner that closes all open programs and files, closes your network connections, stops the hard disk, and discontinues the use of electrical power.

Rectangular Snip

When using Snipping tool, the type of snip that lets you draw a precise box by dragging the mouse pointer around an area of the screen to form a rectangle.