gloss_A

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Access Control Entry (ACE).

Specifies the type of access assigned to a user or group account over a resource.

Access Control List (ACL).

A collection of Access Control Entries associated with a resource.

Account Lockout Policy.

Specifies rules that define how Windows XP Professional manages failed login attempts.

Activation.

The process of contacting Microsoft and permanently enabling a copy of Windows XP Professional.

Active Directory.

A network service on a Windows domain-based network that is responsible for managing network objects, such as user and computer accounts, in a centralized hierarchy.

Add or Remove Programs.

An interface for working with the Windows Installer service that assists in managing application installation and removal.

Address Resolution Protocol (ARP).

A TCP/IP protocol that retrieves a computer's MAC address based on its IP address.

Address toolbar.

A toolbar residing on the Windows XP taskbar that displays a browser URL field, allowing the user to launch the default Internet browser and load Web pages.

ADMIN$.

A hidden administrative share that points to the location of the Windows XP Professional system root file. By default, its value is C:\Windows.

Administrator.

An administrative account with complete control over the computer and its resources.

Administrators.

A Windows XP group account whose members have complete control over a computer and its resources.

Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI).

A specification used by Windows XP Professional to implement power conservation.

Alternative IP addressing.

A Windows XP feature that provides the ability to specify IP address settings to be used when DHCP is unavailable.

Answer file.

A file that supplies the Windows XP Professional setup process with answers to installation questions in order to facilitate an automated installation.

Application event log.

A log file where Windows XP records information regarding events produced by applications.

Argument.

A value passed to a script at the beginning of its execution.

Assoc.

A Windows XP command that displays and modifies file name associations.

At.

A Windows XP command that is used to schedule the execution of scripts and applications. The At command can view, add, and delete scheduled tasks.

Attrib.

A Windows XP command that can be used to modify file and folder attributes.

Audit Policy.

A Group Policy that defines the types of events that Windows XP will audit and record in the Security event log.

Author mode.

An edit mode that provides the ability to modify the contents of a Microsoft Management Console.

Automated System Recovery (ASR).

A system recovery tool that provides a way to restart a computer and restore Windows XP Professional to a previously working condition using an ASR floppy disk and a backup of system files.

Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA).

A Windows XP feature often used by computers attached to small home or office networks. APIPA allows the operating system to assign its own TCP/IP settings.

Automatic Update.

A Windows XP utility that keeps Windows XP up-to-date by connecting to the Microsoft update Web site and determining whether Microsoft has posted any updates that are applicable to the computer.