To store data on, or retrieve data from, a disk drive or other peripheral device. See also file.
Microsoft Active Directory provides the means to manage the identities and relationships that make up your organization’s network. Using Active Directory, you can manage users, computers, groups, printers, applications, and other directory-enabled objects from one secure, centralized location.
A small application program that is usually built into an operating system or a larger application program. For example, the built-in writing and drawing programs that come with Windows are sometimes called "applets."
A computer program, which causes a computer system to perform some useful work for the user.
Advanced Technology Attachment. One of several standard types of interfaces used to connect a disk drive and a computer. See also PATA and SATA.
A feature of some Windows applications on CD-ROM to execute automatically when placed in the CD-ROM drive, or when present in the drive at start-up.
The execution of certain operations during momentary lulls in the primary (foreground) process. An example of a background process is printing while a word processor is waiting for keystrokes.
From Latin "bini," meaning two by two and "ary," meaning of, or pertaining to. Computers use the binary number system, which is a way of counting in which only two digits (0 and 1) are used. Contrast with the familiar decimal number system, in which we count with 10 digits (0 through 9.)
Short for binary digit. The smallest unit of information handled by a computer. Like a light switch, a bit is either on or off, which corresponds to a numerical value of one or zero. Larger numbers are expressed by groups of bits. See also byte.
Refers to the initial start-up of a computer, such as when you turn on the computer’s power. From the word "bootstrap," indicating the computer "lifts itself by its bootstraps"; that is, it gets itself going.
The time during which a computer boots; that is, the computer is starting up and the operating system has not yet taken over control of the computer.
A software program, such as Microsoft's Internet Explorer, designed to locate and view Web pages on the Internet. In addition to displaying text, modern browsers also can display pictures and play sounds.
A group of eight bits, which can represent a number from zero through 255, a letter of the alphabet, or a variety of other things.
From the French word cacher, meaning "to hide." A temporary storage facility designed to speed things up by providing information to software that would otherwise have to be obtained from a slower medium. Caches exist for Web browsers, disk drives and CPUs. See also cache memory.
A condition where the data contained in the cache memories in a computer with multiple processors is kept consistent at all times.
In computers, a cache is a small amount of very fast memory that is placed close to (or inside) the CPU chip , in order to improve performance. The cache memory holds copies of recently accessed data. Because computer programs often run the same instructions repeatedly, many times the CPU will find the data it needs in the cache and therefore will run faster because it does not need to access the computer’s main memory.
Compact Disk Read-Only Memory. A stiff plastic disk commonly used by software manufacturers to distribute software to customers. As the name implies, the original contents of a CD-ROM cannot be changed.
The part of the computer hardware that controls the computer’s overall operation and performs computations. Most modern CPUs are built into a single integrated circuit (chip.) See also Pentium, x86.
A program that checks the integrity of a disk and corrects disk errors such as lost clusters. See also scandisk.
In a computer network, a computer that uses the services of another computer, called a server. For example, a client can "ask" a server to provide it with needed data, or to print a file for the client. See also server, workstation.
Smallest addressable unit of space on a disk. A one-byte file will actually use a cluster of disk space. The minimum size of a cluster depends on the size of the disk volume. The FAT file system allows a maximum of 65,536 clusters per volume (16 bits,) which means that the cluster size on a 64-megabyte volume is one kilobyte, while a 128-megabyte volume uses two-kilobyte clusters. Thus, the FAT file system can be very wasteful of disk space on large volumes. The NTFS file system does not suffer from this limitation.
Acronym for Component Object Model, a specification developed by Microsoft for building software components that can be made into programs or add functionality to existing programs running on Microsoft Windows platforms.
The Compact feature, run from the V-locity Host edition, reduces the size of a VHD file (Hyper-V systems) or a VMDK file (VMware systems) by removing blank space that is left behind when data is deleted from the virtual disk.
A small modular program that performs a specific function and is designed to work interactively with other components and applications. See also applet, COM, DCOM.
Adjacent; placed one after the other. A contiguous file is not fragmented; that is, it takes up a single "chunk" of disk space. See also fragmentation, defragmentation.
A file (Diskeep.ctl) used by Diskeeper to keep track of and control defragmentation of disk volumes. See also Set It and Forget It.
A specialized electronic circuit, which serves as an interface between a device, such as a disk drive, and a computer. See also IDE, SCSI.
To further lessen the impact on a system when defragmenting, Diskeeper provides five adjustable CPU Priority settings for Manual Defragmentation jobs. The default for Manual Defragmentation jobs is "Normal" which is the mid-level CPU base priority as assigned by the operating system.
Information, as processed by a computer. Plural of the Latin word datum, meaning an item of information.
A collection of related information about a subject, organized in a useful manner that provides a base or foundation for procedures such as retrieving information, drawing conclusions, and making decisions.
A machine, such as a printer or a disk drive.
From Latin "digitus," meaning finger. Any of the numbers 0 through 9 in the decimal number system, called a digit because people originally used their fingers for counting. Computers use a binary number system, which uses only two digits (0 and 1.)
A file that contains a catalog of files and other directories stored on a disk, which allows you to organize your files into groups, making them easier to find.
A device containing one or more disks, treated as a unit by a computer.
In Windows, a group of workstations and servers, defined by an administrator, that share a common directory database and allow a user to log onto any resource in the domain with a single user ID and password. Each domain in a network has a unique name.
In Windows and MS-DOS operating systems , the naming convention for disk drives, consisting of a letter, followed by a colon. Drives A: and B: are normally reserved for floppy disk drives and C: typically indicates the first hard drive. See also volume.
A file that has been scrambled and made unrecognizable by anyone who does not have the proper “key” to decode it. The Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 Encrypting File System (EFS) allows users to encrypt files and folders on an NTFS volume to prevent access by unauthorized individuals.
The process of recording audit information when certain events occur, such as services starting and stopping, users logging on and off and accessing resources. Logged Diskeeper events can be viewed with the Event Viewer utility (in Administrative Tools.)
A utility available on Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003, which permits the viewing of logged events. See also event logging.
A type of partition that permits the limitation of four partitions per disk drive to be overcome. A disk drive can be partitioned into a maximum of four primary partitions, or three primary partitions plus an extended partition. One or more logical drives can be created within an extended partition.
The file system used by MS-DOS and adapted for Windows to store information on disks, which makes use of a file allocation table. There are three types of FAT file system. The FAT12 (12-bit) is used on FAT volumes smaller than 16 megabytes in size, such as floppy disks — it is not supported by Diskeeper.
FAT16 can be found on all versions of Windows from Windows 95 through Windows Home Server.
FAT32 is supported on Windows Vista, Windows Home Server, Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows Me, Windows 98, and the later OSR 2 version of Windows 95, but not Windows NT.
A subdivision of a record in a file. For example, a record in a customer file can contain a name field, an address field and a phone number field.
A complete, named collection of data, such as a program , a set of data used by a program, or a user-created document. See also record, field.
A table or list maintained by some operating systems, to keep track of how files are stored on a disk.
The method used by an operating system, of naming, accessing and organizing files and directories on a disk. See also NTFS, FAT file system.
A method of preparing a disk surface for use by placing certain magnetic patterns on it, which are used by the file system in storing and retrieving data.
The word "fragmentation" means "the state of being fragmented." The word "fragment" means "a detached, isolated or incomplete part." It is derived from the Latin "fragmentum," which in turn is derived from "frangere," meaning "break." So, "fragmentation" means that something is broken into parts that are detached, isolated or incomplete.
A measure of computer storage capacity equal to approximately a billion bytes. A gigabyte is two to the 30th power, or 1,073,741,824 bytes.
Pronounced "gooey." A user interface, as used in the Windows operating systems, which uses a mouse and graphic displays to interact with the user, with the purpose to make the computer system easier to use than other operating systems, such as MS-DOS.
One or more rigid metal platters, coated with magnetic material. Contrast with floppy disk, or diskette, which is made of plastic. Also used to refer to the physical unit that makes up a disk drive.
The physical parts of a computer system , including devices such as printers and disk drives. Contrast with software.
The Diskeeper I/O Smart® feature intelligently monitors drive access during defragmentation to ensure top system speed. When this option is selected, Diskeeper will temporarily suspend defragmentation whenever other disk activity needs to occur (I/O throttling). This proprietary technology detects whether or not the disk is busy with other I/O requests and pauses defragmentation to eliminate any potential interference with user or system needs at the "disk" level.
Integrated Device Electronics. One of several types of interfaces between a disk drive and a computer, where the controller is built into the disk drive or into the computer’s main board, which eliminates the need for a separate controller card in the computer. See also SCSI.
This enhancement to file performance optimization rapidly optimizes any files with performance issues that are not proactively prevented with IntelliWrite. Rather than waiting for potentially extended periods of time, this feature provides uninterrupted peak system performance. Progressively more beneficial the larger the volume, Instant Optimization also saves system resources by minimizing the need for volume-wide analysis and optimization tasks.
Also called a chip. A collection of electronic parts with a specific purpose, built into a single physical package. See also central processing unit.
Manufacturer of processor chips, known especially for the Pentium and x86 processors.
The connection and interaction between hardware, software and/or the user. For example, a disk controller provides a physical interface between a computer and a disk drive. The keyboard, mouse and display are an interface between a computer and the user.
A global network that links millions of computers. One popular section of the Internet is the World Wide Web, which allows computer users to view text and pictures with the aid of a browser, such as Internet Explorer. E-mail (electronic mail) is another popular part of the Internet, which allows computer users to send and receive written messages.
A software package developed by Microsoft for browsing Web pages on the Internet, but increasingly used with other applications.
InvisiTaking® technology is a proprietary technology developed by Condusiv Technologies that carefully monitors resource consumption on a Windows computer system and injects processing into the unused portions—and only into the unused portions. InvisiTasking is so good that it is all but impossible to even detect whether the product is running.
A request to have the computer or its peripherals perform some activity.
A file that keeps track of certain events as they occur. Several Windows operating systems maintain several log files that can be viewed with the Event Viewer. See also Event Logging.
That portion of the space on a disk drive that is considered by the software to be a single unit. In this context, logical means "conceptual." because there is no direct relationship between the name and a physical object. See also partition, volume.
On an NTFS partition, the master file table is a file, which contains information about all other files in that partition. This includes the name of each file, its physical location on the disk, and other information.
A collective word for the physical material on which computer-based information is stored, such as a CD-ROM or floppy disk. Media is the plural of medium, but like data is often used in the singular form.
The computer’s temporary working storage, where program instructions and data are kept, permitting the CPU to process the instructions.
A computer software company, with its head office in the state of Washington; creators of the MS-DOS and Windows operating systems.
A feature of an operating system, where the computer can work on more than one task at a time. See also background processing.
A group of computers that are connected together and capable of exchanging data with each other. See also server, client.
New Technology File System. A file system designed specifically for use with Windows NT, and carried into later operating systems.
Acronym for original equipment manufacturer. The term is misleading because an OEM typically buys computers from another manufacturer, customizes them for a particular application, and then sells them under the OEM’s own brand name.
A collection of programs, which performs system functions and controls the running of application programs and the allocation of resources.
Organizational units are Active Directory containers into which you can place users, groups, computers, and other organizational units.
An area of a disk on the majority of Windows systems that is set aside to hold data intended to reside in the computer’s memory. Portions of the paging file are copied to memory as needed. This mechanism requires a much smaller amount of physical memory than would be required if the entire program were to be loaded into memory all at once. See also swap file.
An area of a disk on the majority of Windows systems that is set aside to hold data intended to reside in the computer’s memory. Portions of the paging file are copied to memory as needed. This mechanism requires a much smaller amount of physical memory than would be required if the entire program were to be loaded into memory all at once. See also swap file.
A subdivision of the space on a disk drive that is treated as though it were a separate physical unit. A computer with only one hard disk drive can have a single partition, often called drive C:, or it can have several partitions, such as drive C:, drive D:, and drive E:. See also volume, drive letter, primary partition, extended partition, logical drive.
Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment. Originally called ATA, but retroactively renamed PATA with the introduction of Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) interfaces. One of several methods of interfacing disk drives and other devices to computers. See also ATA, IDE, SATA and SCSI.
The name of a type of processor, introduced by Intel in 1993. It is the successor to the 80486 and equivalent to the 80586 chip in the x86 series.
(Related to periphery, roughly meaning "on the outside.") A device, such as a disk drive or printer, keyboard or mouse, connected to and used by a computer.
The ability of a user on a computer system to access or modify files, especially those that he or she did not create. Permissions exist for security reasons, to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. The system administrator assigns permissions, or "who has access to what."
The environment, in which a computer system operates, either based on the computer’s CPU or its operating system. For example: the x86 platform, or the Windows Server 2003 platform.
A disk drive consists of one or more platters, each of which can receive magnetic recordings on both sides. The platter spins like a phonograph record on a turntable.
In Windows and MS-DOS operating systems, the disk space on a disk drive can be divided into a maximum of four primary partitions; or three primary partitions plus an extended partition, which in turn can contain one or more logical drives.
On a Windows system, several programs can appear to be running at once, even though the CPU can only process one instruction at a time. With the help of the operating system , the CPU processes a few instructions from one program, then a few instructions of the next program, and so on, over and over. Without priority assignments, each program would be given about the same amount of time in each "time slot", but by assigning priorities, the more important programs can be given longer time intervals than the less important ones, allowing them to complete faster.
A program, along with the system resources the program requires to run. A process represents a unit of resource ownership and work to be done. The operating system creates processes to keep track of resources and to ensure the proper scheduling of tasks.
A set of instructions that tell a computer what to do. Synonym: software.
Redundant Array of Independent Disks. A method of combining several disk drives to make one large volume. Typically used on a network file server to achieve faster access, greater protection against disk failure, or both.
A collection of related data items, treated as a unit. For example, in a file containing information about a company’s customers, one record would consist of the particulars (name, address, phone number, etc.) of one customer. See also field.
A database that contains information about current hardware settings, installed software, user preferences and associations between file types, and applications that access those files.
Any part of a computer system, such as a disk drive, printer, or memory, which can be used by a program.
Serial Advanced Technology Attachment. A successor to ATA (which was later renamed PATA). One of several methods of interfacing disk drives and other devices to computers. See also ATA, IDE, PATA and SCSI.
Small Computer System Interface. One of two common methods of interfacing disk drives and other devices to computers. See also IDE.
On a computer network, a computer that makes resources available to other computers (clients or workstations). For example, all the computers on a network can be set up to share a single high-speed printer, which is connected to the server. Usually, the server is faster and more powerful than the client computers connected to it.
A process that performs a specific system function and often provides an application programming interface (API) for other processes to call. Diskeeper uses a Windows service, which allows Diskeeper to run in the background while other applications are running.
A collection of software used to issue corrections and updates to software between major releases. Usually refers to compilations of corrections and updates to a Windows operating system.
“Set It and Forget It”® a term that was created by Condusiv Technologies and is a registered trademark and hallmark of the company. A "Set It and Forget It" product can operate transparently (unseen by the user) and in the background (concurrent with other applications). A "Set It and Forget It" product runs without further intervention or attention from the user or administrator.
System Management Server. A software product from Microsoft, which permits the system administrator on a Windows network to do such things as install and run new software on different computers on the network, all from a single location.
A generic term for computer programs, taken collectively. Contrast with hardware. Software can be categorized into application software and system software.
A method of storing large files—that contain mostly empty space and not much data—in a way that uses much less disk space than would otherwise be used. Sparse file support allows an application to create very large files without committing disk space for every byte.
A file on a disk drive that Windows 98/Me uses to hold temporary data that will not fit into memory. When needed, the operating system moves data from the swap file to memory. See also paging file.
The collection of one or more computers and peripheral devices. Sometimes used as a synonym for operating system, or the combination of hardware and software, as a logical unit.
The person in charge of maintaining a multi-user computer system.
In general, a file that is part of, or accessed by, the operating system. The Diskeeper Volume Map display shows certain system files in green, particularly the master file table (MFT) and several other files that cannot be moved safely by Diskeeper (or any other defragmenter), except at boot-time. These are not the files that make up the Windows operating system , but the files that make up the NTFS file system.
A program or portion thereof that is run as an independent entity.
A measure of computer storage capacity equal to 2 to the 40th power or approximately a thousand billion bytes (or a thousand gigabytes).
A free software package from Condusiv Technologies, such as Diskeeper, that has the same functionality as the official version of the software, but works for a limited time period, after which it expires. Trialware allows you to try the software before making a buying decision.
A program that provides basic services or functions. Diskeeper is an example of a disk defragmentation utility.
A subdivision of the space on a disk drive that is treated as though it were a separate physical unit, or a combination of physical disks treated as a single unit. A computer with only one hard disk drive can have a single volume, often called drive C:, or it can have several volumes, such as drive C:, drive D:, and drive E:. See also drive letter, logical drive, partition.
Under most Windows operating systems, a single logical drive, which is composed of up to 32 areas of free space on one or more disk drives. Volume sets can be used to combine small areas of free space on one or more disk drives into a larger logical drive, or to create a single large logical drive out of two or more small disks.
VSS provides the ability to create snapshots, or point-in-time (PIT) copies, of shares and volumes. These snapshots are images of the data on the disk as it looks at a particular point in time. By keeping these images of data, you can quickly recover individual files or entire volumes directly from the disk as they appeared when the snapshot was taken.
In Windows 2000 and later operating systems, a workgroup consists of one or more computers that do not participate in a domain and are therefore responsible for their own security and administration.
A computer that has been set up for use by an individual typically connected to a network. The term is also used to indicate a client computer, in contrast with a server.
Symbol to represent a series of CPUs, manufactured by Intel and others, including model numbers 8086, 80286, 80386, 80486 and 80586 (Pentium.) All of the CPUs in this series have certain characteristics in common, which permits software to be written that will run on any of them.