Registry
A Windows registry key that contains data about the current user. The key is built when a user logs on using data kept in the HKEY_USERS key and data kept in the Ntuser.dat file of the current user.
HKEY_CURRENT_USER (HKCU)
Definition:A Windows utility to build customized consoles. These consoles can be saved to a file with an .msc file extension.
Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
A console (gpedit.msc) available in Windows 10/8/7 professional and business editions that applies only to local users and the local computer. Also see Group Policy.
Local Group Policy
The portion of an OS that relates to the user and applications.
shell
In Windows, a mode that provides an interface between an application and the OS, and only has access to hardware resources through the code running in kernel mode.
user mode
A Windows registry key that contains data about all users and is taken from the Default hive.
HKEY_USERS (HKU)
Definition:See DXDiag (DirectX Diagnostics Tool).
dxdiag.exe
The group of folders and subfolders in the C:\Users folder that belong to a specific user account and contain the user profile.
user profile namespace
The portion of an OS that is responsible for interacting with the hardware.
kernel
In Windows, a mode that provides an interface between an application and the OS, and only has access to hardware resources through the code running in kernel mode.
user mode
A Windows registry key that stores information to determine which application is opened when the user double-clicks a file.
Term:HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT (HKCR)
The Windows swap file used to hold virtual memory, which enhances physical memory installed in a system.
pagefile.sys
When the display is staggered across multiple monitors, making the display difficult to read. Fix the problem by adjusting the display in the Windows Screen Resolution window.
multiple monitor misalignment
A database that Windows uses to store hardware and software configuration information, user preferences, and setup information.
registry
In Windows, a group of components running in kernel mode that interfaces between the subsystems in user mode and the HAL.
executive services
A Windows registry key that contains information about the hardware configuration that is used by the computer at startup.
Term:HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG (HKCC)
A Windows command (dxdiag.exe) used to display information about hardware and diagnose problems with DirectX. The command returns the version of DirectX installed.
DxDiag (DirectX Diagnostic Tool)
The aligned orientation of dual monitor screens. When the display does not accurately represent the relative positions of multiple monitors, use the Windows Screen Resolution window to move the display for each monitor so they are oriented correctly.
multiple monitor orientation
A program that is running under the authority of the shell, together with the system resources assigned to it.
process
A collection of files and settings about a user account that enables the user’s personal data, desktop settings, and other operating parameters to be retained from one session to another.
user profile
Definition:An important Windows registry key that contains hardware, software, and security data. The key is built using data taken from the SAM hive, the Security hive, the Software hive, the System hive, and from data collected at startup about the hardware.
Term:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE (HKLM)
A Windows utility that verifies and, if necessary, refreshes a Windows system file, replacing it with one kept in a cache of current system files or downloaded from the Internet with the help of Windows Updates.
System File Checker (SFC)
A Windows utility to build customized consoles. These consoles can be saved to a file with an .msc file extension.
Microsoft Management Console
A Windows command that returns the process identifier (PID), which is a number that identifies each running process.
tasklist
A database that Windows uses to store hardware and software configuration information, user preferences, and setup information.
registry