If you have been puzzled by the terminology in this guide, we've added this jargon buster to help; so if you don't know your OneDrive from your Store or your taskbar from your notifications area, then read on.
Here is a glossary of commonly used Windows terms:
Action Center: The area in Windows 10 that contains all your notifications. It also allows you to access quick functions such as Tablet mode and the Connect menu, which enables you to scan for media devices, such as wireless headphones.
Add-in or Extension: A small application that integrates into another program. Often the context is within web browsers where they add extra functions- such as screenshot sharing or note-taking.
App: Short for "application"; another name for a computer program. An app is a program that has been downloaded and installed on to your computer from the Internet, a CD or DVD or from the Windows Store.
Attachment: A file sent with an email, hence it is 'attached'. The file can then be opened at the other end. It remains self-contained, and is unaffected by the contents of the email itself.
Bluetooth: Bluetooth is a wireless technology used to link and exchange data with another compatible device, and many laptops, tablets and phones have it built-in. Bluetooth devices include headphones, keyboards and speakers.
Broadband: An always-on connection to the Internet via your phone line. If you are served by cable, you can get broadband through this.
Clipboard: The clipboard is an area of your computer's memory that saves items you have previously cut or copied (see Cut and Paste below) ready for you to use them again.
Cloud: The cloud is basically another word for the Internet. It's often referred to in the context of "storing something in the cloud" - this essentially means storing your data on servers that are connected to the Internet. Cloud-based storage (or cloud storage) services include Dropbox and Microsoft's own OneDrive.
Cookie: A small data file that's stored on your computer by websites you visit. Next time you visit the website, the cookie means the site can 'remember' who you are. This is useful for shopping sites, such as Amazon, as they can remember which items you had in your shopping basket.
Cut and Paste: You can move something in a document such as a Microsoft Word file by 'cutting' it, then pasting it elsewhere. The common shortcuts for this are Ctrl-X to cut and Ctrl-V to paste you can also copy using Ctrl-C). You can also do this to complete files using the same shortcuts.
Desktop: The Windows 10 screen that everything takes place within. The taskbar is at the bottom of the desktop, with the Start button on the left. The desktop is also a place you can store files, in the large area above the taskbar. You can also have a desktop background.
Desktop App: The name for 'traditional' apps in Windows 10. These are applications that you downloaded from the Internet or installed another way rather than obtained from the Windows Store.
Download: When you copy a file from the Internet, it's called 'downloading'. You will have had to have requested the download, for example when you click a document to save it to your own computer.
Driver: A small piece of software that makes a piece of hardware work. Windows 10 includes a lot of drivers as standard (and can download others from the Internet) so common items of hardware, such as digital cameras or phones, can simply be plugged directly in.
Email: Messages sent between computers over the Internet. Mostly they will be text, but can also include attachments. Email is the app that receives and sends these messages in Windows 10 via your email account.
File Explorer: Known as Windows Explorer in earlier versions of Windows, it's the window where you browse through your files and folders. You can also copy, delete, move and create files here.
Folder: A folder icon can store documents, applications, files or even folders and they're stored on your hard drive. Your Documents folder is your default save location in Windows 10.
Gestures: These are finger movements that are used to interact with touchscreen devices, whether it is a phone, tablet or touchscreen laptop.
Icon: A small graphic that represents an application, file or folder on your computer. It can also represent an action within an application, such as Save.
Live Tiles: The large app icons that are pinned' to the Start menu. You can remove, resize or add to these. They are 'live' because they continually update with new information.
Microsoft Account: The email address and password you registered with Microsoft. It's needed to buy new applications and entertainment from the Windows Store and is also used by Xbox and Outlook.com and Skype plus other Microsoft services.
Microsoft Edge: The new web browser within Windows 10 that replaces Internet Explorer. It's an app that enables you to view web pages.
Network: A link between two or more computers meaning they can share resources and files. It is also referred to as an LAN (Local Area Network). Most home networks today are wireless (Wi-Fi) networks.
Notifications: Small messages that apps send you to let you know that something has happened -such as an email arriving or that an update is available to download.
Notifications Area: Called the system tray in much older versions of Windows, it's the area of the taskbar to the left of the clock where some utility apps reside such as OneDrive), as well as key system functions such as Wi-Fi, the battery icon, sound and the Action Center.
OneDrive: Microsoft's own cloud storage service that can be accessed from any device. If you have a Microsoft account, you get OneDrive for free.
Peripheral: Any device that is connected to your computer, such as a printer or digital camera.
Search Engine: A website, such as google.co.uk or Bing. com, which enables you to find sites and specific information on the web by entering search terms or keywords related to the subject you wish to find out more about.
Shortcut: A File Explorer icon that points towards an application, file or folder elsewhere on your computer, the idea being that you have easy access to something. All the icons on the Start menu are, in fact, shortcuts to the various operations elsewhere on your computer.
Spyware: Malicious software that seeks to gain information about you without your knowledge. Security applications such as Windows Defender hunt down and remove spyware.
Start Menu: The main graphical interface element within Windows 10 - you get to it by clicking the Start button in the bottom left corner of the Windows desktop, at the left end of the taskbar. From here you can access all the apps on your PC as well as your files, folders and settings.
Tablet Mode: A new mode within Windows 10 that converts the desktop for easier use with touchscreen rather than a keyboard and mouse.
Taskbar: The bar along the bottom of the Windows desktop. It's where all the key functions are and where you can view all your open apps and open the Start menu too.
Toolbar: A block of icons or buttons that carry out certain functions within an application, such as Save or Zoom. In an application such as Microsoft Word, the toolbar is located along the top of the window.
Universal App: A new type of Windows app from the Windows Store. These apps can run on all new Windows devices including Windows 10 mobile phones and the Xbox One.
URL: Standing for Uniform Resource Locator, URL is an Internet address including the 'http://' part.A web address is often referred to as a URL.
Virus: A small program or piece of computer code that ends up on your system without your knowledge. Viruses are created by those with malicious intent and can cause problems with your system. Windows Defender protects you against such threats.
VPN: A VPN (or Virtual Private Network) provides secure access over the Internet to private networks, such as the network at your company or school.
Window: The standard term used to describe an area of screen space used to run an application. You can work within this space. Characterised by a title at the top and buttons to close and re-size the window.
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi enables devices to connect wirelessly, and if you have a wireless router at home with broadband, you have Wi-Fi that can connect to the Internet. Wi-Fi is also available in many public places such as coffee shops, restaurants, and airports.
Wizard: A utility that takes you gradually through a complex task on your computer. Each screen displays a different step in order to guide you through a particular process, such as installing an application.
Windows Store: The Windows Store is where you can download free and paid-for programs as well as music and video (rented or bought) using your Microsoft account.
Understanding these few terms will indeed help you use Windows more efficiently. This guide was originally published by Black Dog Media, which has many enlightening guides covering several devices and operating systems.
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