Operating Systems and File Systems Basics

System software that manages hardware software resources and provides an interface for users and applications.

Managing processes memory files hardware devices security and user interfaces.

The core component of an operating system that manages hardware resources and system operations.

A hierarchical database that stores Windows configuration settings for hardware users and applications.

A memory management technique that uses storage space to supplement physical RAM.

A method an operating system uses to organize store and retrieve files.

A Windows file system supporting permissions encryption compression and large files.

An older file system with broad compatibility but a maximum individual file size of 4 GB.

A file system designed for flash storage that supports large files and compatibility across many devices.

NTFS offers advanced security features FAT32 offers broad compatibility with a 4 GB file limit and exFAT supports large files across many devices.

Reducing the size of files to save storage space and make transfers easier.

A feature that allows older programs to run using settings designed for earlier operating systems.

Software that allows an operating system to communicate with a hardware device.

Power-On Self-Test; a startup diagnostic that checks essential hardware components.

Basic Input/Output System; firmware that initializes hardware and begins the boot process.

Unified Extensible Firmware Interface; modern firmware that initializes hardware and starts the operating system.

UEFI is the modern replacement for traditional BIOS and supports features such as Secure Boot and larger boot drives.

The sequence in which firmware initializes hardware locates a boot device and loads the operating system.

A USB drive containing files needed to start a computer install an operating system or perform recovery.

A recovery environment used to troubleshoot startup problems repair Windows and restore a system.

A logical division of a physical storage device.

A Windows utility used to create delete resize and format partitions and manage drives.

A Windows utility that removes unnecessary files to free storage space.

A Windows utility used to monitor applications processes and system performance.

A diagnostic startup mode that loads only essential drivers and services.

A Windows stop error indicating a serious system problem often involving drivers hardware or system files.

A situation where a device repeatedly restarts without successfully loading the operating system.

Installing an operating system from scratch rather than upgrading an existing installation.

Hardware compatibility storage requirements application compatibility drivers backups and licensing.

A serious operating system error that prevents the kernel from continuing normal operation.