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Windows glossary
Application
A computer program used for a particular type of work, such as word processing.
Boot
A colloquialism meaning to switch on and start a PC.
Choose
To pick a command from a menu. See Select.
Click
To press and release a mouse button (usually the left button). See also Right click.
Client
An alternative term for application, for example Mulberry is an email client.
Close button
The button at the extreme right of a window’s title bar that can be used to close that window.
Command
A word or phrase in a menu that you choose to carry out an action.
Control buttons
Any of the buttons at the right of a window’s title bar that can be used to minimize, maximize, restore, or close that window.
Desktop
The working area of the computer screen containing applications, folders, etc.
Dialogue box
A temporary window requesting information.
Directory
See Folder.
Document
Any text, data, or graphics file created on the computer. See also file.
Disk drive
The drive is the physical device which interprets information; it reads from and writes to a disk.
Double click
To press rapidly and release the (left) mouse button twice without moving the mouse. You can start an application by double clicking on its icon.
Drag
To move an item on the screen by selecting the item and then pressing and holding down the (left) mouse button while moving the mouse.
File
Any document that you create on a computer is held on a disk in a file.
Folder
Files on a disk can be grouped into folders. A folder can contain other folders or “subfolders”.
Group
A collection of applications, accessories, or documents.
Hour glass
This is displayed on screen whenever the computer is busy.
I-bar
The cursor changes into an I-bar to indicate that you are able to insert text, for example when word processing.
Icon
Graphical representation of various elements, such as disk drives, applications, documents etc.
Insertion point
The place where text will be inserted when you type.
Maximise button
This button on the title bar will expand the window to its maximum size.
Menu bar
The bar that appears at the top of a window below the title bar and lists various commands. The actual commands appear when you click on a menu title.
Minimise button
The button on a title bar that will remove a window from the screen without actually closing it. The application remains available and is represented by a button on the taskbar.
Object
An object is anything on the desktop such as an icon representing an application, folder, or file.
Pointer
The arrow shaped cursor on the screen that follows the movement of the mouse. It indicates which area of the screen will be affected when you press the mouse button.
Restore button
This button returns the window to its previous size. This button appears on the title bar, in place of the maximise button, when the window is at its largest.
Right click
A context-sensitive menu of useful options can be requested by pressing the right button of the mouse.
Scroll
To move through a document to see parts that are not currently visible.
Scroll arrow
A scroll arrow can be used to move around the document.
Scroll bar
A bar that appears at the bottom or right edge of a window to indicate that not all the document is displayed. You use the scroll bars to move vertically or horizontally through the document.
Scroll box
The box in the scroll bar that indicates what section of the document is being displayed.
Select
To indicate what application, command, or window you want usually by a single click of the left button on the mouse.
Selection letter
An underlined letter within a menu. Pressing the [Alt] key plus that letter on the keyboard executes that menu option.
Start button
The button at the bottom left of the screen that provides access to various facilities including all applications and help on using the PC.
System tray
The area on the right side of the task bar that is used to display a number of functions.
Taskbar
The bar that appears along the bottom of the screen. It contains (from left to right) the start button, shortcut toolbar (containing icons for the commonly used applications), task buttons and the system tray.
Task button
A button on the taskbar representing an open application.
Title bar
The horizontal bar along the top of a window. It contains (from left to right) the window menu, the name of the application and the control buttons.
Tracing
The process of moving the mouse pointer across a menu or through several menus without pressing the mouse button.
Window
A rectangular area on your screen in which you view a document.
Window menu
The menu at the right of a window’s title bar that can be used to minimize, maximize, restore, or close that window.
created on 2010-01-01 by IT Services
last updated on 2010-06-30 by Claire Wallace