CompTIA A+® Certification Study Guide.
A Compressive Exam Study Guide for
Guaranteed Success.
Top Rated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026
32-bit - ansIn reference to the Windows operating systems, one that can utilize up to 4 GB of
address space.
64-bit - ansIn reference to the Windows operating systems, one that can utilize more than 4
GB of address space. Depending on the version, 64-bit Windows can address a maximum of
from 8 to 192 GB.
802.11a - ansA wireless network standard that uses the 5 GHz band.
802.11b - ansA wireless network standard that uses the 2.4 GHz band at a speed of up to 10
Mbps.
802.11g - ansA wireless network standard that uses the 2.4 GHz band at a speed of up to 54
Mbps. It is downward-compatible with 802.11b.
802.11n - ansA wireless network standard that defines speeds of up to 600 Mbps. It is
downward-compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.
8-bit high color - ansDescribes the VGA mode color setting that, although it can produce
around 16 million different colors, can only display up to 256 different colors at a time.
AC adapter - ansA type of power supply that converts AC power to voltages needed for a
device. AC adapters are generally used for portable PC systems and other devices.
accelerated graphics port - ansA local bus designed for video only, it provides a direct link
between the processor and the video card, giving the video card direct access to main
memory.
access control - ansManaging access to resources. _______ to computers and network
resources involves authentication and authorization.
access control entry - ansIn an access control list, a record containing just one user or group
account name and the permissions assigned to that account.
access control list - ansA table on each file and folder in the NTFS file system that contains
one or more access control entries.
accessory bay - ansIn a laptop, a compartment that holds a single media device that is
switchable with another.
ACT - ansThe "activity" status light on a NIC that indicates data is being transmitted.
activation - ansA method used by several software manufacturers to combat software piracy.
active communication - ansA set of behaviors including active listening and active speaking
that shows you are fully engaged in the conversation and encourages the other person to also
communicate in a positive manner.
active listening - ansA set of skills, behaviors, and attitudes to use when listening to another
person.
active matrix display - ansAn LCD technology based on thin-film transistor (TFT)
technology. It has a transistor at every pixel, which enables much quicker display changes
active partition - ansA primary partition that is marked for use by the system during startup.
Windows operating systems can only be booted from this
active speaking - ansThe appropriate responses that you make during a conversation.
,CompTIA A+® Certification Study Guide.
A Compressive Exam Study Guide for
Guaranteed Success.
Top Rated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026
ad hoc mode - ansIn a Wi-Fi network, the networking mode that allows peer-to-peer
communications without the use of a centralized wireless hub, called a wireless access point
(WAP).
adapter card - ansA printed circuit card that you add to the motherboard to enhance
functionality. Also called an expansion card. Video adapters and network interface cards
(NICs) are examples of this
address bus - ansA group of wires used to identify addresses in main system memory in a
computer. The number of wires in an address bus is called the width of the bus and
determines the number of unique memory locations that can be addressed using binary math
with the two raised to the power of the number of wires in the bus. A 32-bit bus can address
up to 4 GB of memory, whereas a 36-bit address bus can address up to 64 GB of memory.
Address Resolution Protocol - ansA protocol used to resolve an IP address to a MAC address.
Advanced Communications Riser - ansA riser card standard that AMD, 3Com, and others
introduced in 2000 to supersede AMR. It uses one PCI slot, provides accelerated audio and
modem functions as well as networking, and supports multiple Ethernet NICs.
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface - ansA power management standard that
includes all the power states of APM, plus two more. It also supports soft power.
Advanced Micro Devices - ansAMD manufactures CPUs and other products, and its chief
rival is Intel Corporation.
Advanced Power Management - ansA power management standard, introduced by Intel in
1992, that defines four power-usage operating levels.
Advanced Technology - ansA type of motherboard used in older PC systems; also refers to
the 1984 IBM PC AT model.
Advanced Technology Attachment - ansThe former name of the Parallel AT Attachment
(PATA) interface standard.
Advanced Technology eXtended - ansA type of motherboard and its variants most commonly
used in recent PC systems.
adware - ansSoftware installed on a computer without permission that collects information
about a user in order to display targeted advertisements, in the form of either inline banners
or pop-ups. Inline banners are advertisements that run within the context of the current page,
taking up screen real estate.
alternating current - ansThe delivery of electricity (as from a wall outlet) in which the flow of
electrons reverses periodically and has alternating positive and negative values.
amperes (amps) - ansA measurement of the volume of electrons, also called current. It is
calculated with the formula amps = watts / volts.
analog LCD display - ansAn LCD display that uses a DB-15 connector, which means that it
accepts analog signals that it converts to digital.
analog modem - ansA modulator/demodulator device that allows computers to communicate
with one another over existing phone lines.
answer file - ansA file used during an unattended installation of Windows. It provides a script
of responses to the questions Setup asks so the user does not have to answer them manually.
,CompTIA A+® Certification Study Guide.
A Compressive Exam Study Guide for
Guaranteed Success.
Top Rated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026
antistatic mat - ansA mat that provides a path to ground for a static charge and is designed for
the desktop or floor of a workspace. One placed on the workbench reduces the risk of
electrostatic discharge for components placed on it, while one placed on the floor provides
the same protection for anyone standing on the mat.
antistatic wrist strap - ansA strap designed to discharge static electricity from your body. One
end attaches to the wrist, whereas the other end attaches to a grounded object.
archive attribute - ansA file attribute set by the OS when a file is created or modified. Backup
software often removes this attribute when backing up a file in order to mark it as a backed-
up file.
arithmetic logic unit - ansA component of a CPU that is responsible for all logical and
mathematical operations in the system.
aspect ratio - ansThe proportion between an image's width and height. Traditional CRT
monitors have an aspect ratio of 4:3. Widescreen displays have an aspect ratio of 16:9.
asymmetrical digital subscriber line - ansA type of DSL service in which the download speed
is higher than the upload speed.
asynchronous transfer mode - ansA type of switched network used by phone companies.
ATA Packet Interface - ansThe protocol for connecting optical drives and tape drives to an
ATA channel.
attended installation - ansAn installation of Windows that is not automated, where the user is
required to pay attention throughout the entire process to provide information and to respond
to messages. Also called a manual installation.
ATV12V - ansA power supply standard that has both the 20-pin connector for the
motherboard and a 4-pin 12 V connector.
ATX power supply - ansA power supply form factor that pairs with an ATX motherboard and
case.
audio modem riser - ansA small expansion card introduced in the late 1990s that plugs into a
special slot on a motherboard and uses the CPU to perform modem functions and sound
functions. It is not plug and play compatible.
Audit Policy - ansIn Windows, one or more settings found in the Local Security Settings
console.
authentication - ansA validation of a user account and password that occurs before the
security components of Windows will give the user access to the computer.
authentication factor - ansThings used for authentication, such as something you know,
something you have, or something you are. Authentication involves one or more of these
factors and can, therefore, be one-factor, two-factor, or three-factor authentication.
authorization - ansThe process that authenticates a user and verifies the user account's level
of access to a resource.
ASR - ansAn option available in the Windows XP Backup program for recovering from
damage that prevents the operating system from starting. It replaced the Emergency Repair
Disk (ERD) process in Windows 2000.
, CompTIA A+® Certification Study Guide.
A Compressive Exam Study Guide for
Guaranteed Success.
Top Rated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026
Automated System Recovery - ansIn Windows XP, this replaces the Emergency Repair
process of Windows NT and Windows 2000. It is available from the Windows Backup
program (NTBACKUP.EXE).
Automatic Private IP Address - ansAn address that a DHCP client will assign to itself after
requesting an address and failing to receive one from a DHCP server. The address it will
assign is in the 169.254 /16 network, which is the range of addresses from 169.254.0.1 to
169.254.255.254.
auto-switching power supply - ansA power supply that detects the incoming voltage and
switches to accept either 120 or 240 VAC.
back door - ansProgram code that provides a way for someone to gain access to a computer
while bypassing security. Only a person who knows how it works can use it, but once in, that
individual has the same access as the host program to all the internal operating system code.
background process - ansA process that runs "behind the scenes" with a low priority, does not
require input, and rarely creates output.
backup media - ansAny writable mass storage device, removable or fixed in place.
Balanced Technology eXtended - ansA motherboard form factor introduced in 2003 by Intel
as the successor to ATX.
bandwidth - ansThe amount of data that can travel over a network at a given time.
bar code reader - ansA specialized type of scanner that reads bar codes, which are patterns of
bars of varying widths printed on labels or directly on items. The bar pattern is converted into
a numeric code that is transmitted to a computer as data.
basic disk - ansA disk that uses basic storage, which means that it uses the partition table in
the master boot record (MBR) to define disk partitions.
BIOS - ansA type of computer firmware that is responsible for informing the CPU of
installed devices and how to communicate with them.
Basic Service Set - ansThe wireless nodes (including the WAP) communicating together in
infrastructure mode.
basic storage - ansA storage type in Windows that uses the partition table in the master boot
record (MBR) to define disk partitions.
BDD Workbench - ansA tool used to create and manage a distribution share and various
installation images.
beam-on-blade connector - ansThe type of connector used in the ExpressCard interface.
bidirectional mode - ansA parallel port mode in which the signals can be transmitted in both
directions between the PC and parallel devices connected to the computer.
biometric - ansA measurement of a body part, such as a fingerprint or retina scan.
biometric device - ansA device that uses a measurement of a body part, such as a fingerprint
or retina scan.
biometric logon - ansThe use of a biometric for authentication.
BIOS settings - ansThe BIOS configuration settings, also called system settings, accessed via
a special BIOS-based menu during system startup.
A Compressive Exam Study Guide for
Guaranteed Success.
Top Rated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026
32-bit - ansIn reference to the Windows operating systems, one that can utilize up to 4 GB of
address space.
64-bit - ansIn reference to the Windows operating systems, one that can utilize more than 4
GB of address space. Depending on the version, 64-bit Windows can address a maximum of
from 8 to 192 GB.
802.11a - ansA wireless network standard that uses the 5 GHz band.
802.11b - ansA wireless network standard that uses the 2.4 GHz band at a speed of up to 10
Mbps.
802.11g - ansA wireless network standard that uses the 2.4 GHz band at a speed of up to 54
Mbps. It is downward-compatible with 802.11b.
802.11n - ansA wireless network standard that defines speeds of up to 600 Mbps. It is
downward-compatible with 802.11a, 802.11b, and 802.11g.
8-bit high color - ansDescribes the VGA mode color setting that, although it can produce
around 16 million different colors, can only display up to 256 different colors at a time.
AC adapter - ansA type of power supply that converts AC power to voltages needed for a
device. AC adapters are generally used for portable PC systems and other devices.
accelerated graphics port - ansA local bus designed for video only, it provides a direct link
between the processor and the video card, giving the video card direct access to main
memory.
access control - ansManaging access to resources. _______ to computers and network
resources involves authentication and authorization.
access control entry - ansIn an access control list, a record containing just one user or group
account name and the permissions assigned to that account.
access control list - ansA table on each file and folder in the NTFS file system that contains
one or more access control entries.
accessory bay - ansIn a laptop, a compartment that holds a single media device that is
switchable with another.
ACT - ansThe "activity" status light on a NIC that indicates data is being transmitted.
activation - ansA method used by several software manufacturers to combat software piracy.
active communication - ansA set of behaviors including active listening and active speaking
that shows you are fully engaged in the conversation and encourages the other person to also
communicate in a positive manner.
active listening - ansA set of skills, behaviors, and attitudes to use when listening to another
person.
active matrix display - ansAn LCD technology based on thin-film transistor (TFT)
technology. It has a transistor at every pixel, which enables much quicker display changes
active partition - ansA primary partition that is marked for use by the system during startup.
Windows operating systems can only be booted from this
active speaking - ansThe appropriate responses that you make during a conversation.
,CompTIA A+® Certification Study Guide.
A Compressive Exam Study Guide for
Guaranteed Success.
Top Rated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026
ad hoc mode - ansIn a Wi-Fi network, the networking mode that allows peer-to-peer
communications without the use of a centralized wireless hub, called a wireless access point
(WAP).
adapter card - ansA printed circuit card that you add to the motherboard to enhance
functionality. Also called an expansion card. Video adapters and network interface cards
(NICs) are examples of this
address bus - ansA group of wires used to identify addresses in main system memory in a
computer. The number of wires in an address bus is called the width of the bus and
determines the number of unique memory locations that can be addressed using binary math
with the two raised to the power of the number of wires in the bus. A 32-bit bus can address
up to 4 GB of memory, whereas a 36-bit address bus can address up to 64 GB of memory.
Address Resolution Protocol - ansA protocol used to resolve an IP address to a MAC address.
Advanced Communications Riser - ansA riser card standard that AMD, 3Com, and others
introduced in 2000 to supersede AMR. It uses one PCI slot, provides accelerated audio and
modem functions as well as networking, and supports multiple Ethernet NICs.
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface - ansA power management standard that
includes all the power states of APM, plus two more. It also supports soft power.
Advanced Micro Devices - ansAMD manufactures CPUs and other products, and its chief
rival is Intel Corporation.
Advanced Power Management - ansA power management standard, introduced by Intel in
1992, that defines four power-usage operating levels.
Advanced Technology - ansA type of motherboard used in older PC systems; also refers to
the 1984 IBM PC AT model.
Advanced Technology Attachment - ansThe former name of the Parallel AT Attachment
(PATA) interface standard.
Advanced Technology eXtended - ansA type of motherboard and its variants most commonly
used in recent PC systems.
adware - ansSoftware installed on a computer without permission that collects information
about a user in order to display targeted advertisements, in the form of either inline banners
or pop-ups. Inline banners are advertisements that run within the context of the current page,
taking up screen real estate.
alternating current - ansThe delivery of electricity (as from a wall outlet) in which the flow of
electrons reverses periodically and has alternating positive and negative values.
amperes (amps) - ansA measurement of the volume of electrons, also called current. It is
calculated with the formula amps = watts / volts.
analog LCD display - ansAn LCD display that uses a DB-15 connector, which means that it
accepts analog signals that it converts to digital.
analog modem - ansA modulator/demodulator device that allows computers to communicate
with one another over existing phone lines.
answer file - ansA file used during an unattended installation of Windows. It provides a script
of responses to the questions Setup asks so the user does not have to answer them manually.
,CompTIA A+® Certification Study Guide.
A Compressive Exam Study Guide for
Guaranteed Success.
Top Rated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026
antistatic mat - ansA mat that provides a path to ground for a static charge and is designed for
the desktop or floor of a workspace. One placed on the workbench reduces the risk of
electrostatic discharge for components placed on it, while one placed on the floor provides
the same protection for anyone standing on the mat.
antistatic wrist strap - ansA strap designed to discharge static electricity from your body. One
end attaches to the wrist, whereas the other end attaches to a grounded object.
archive attribute - ansA file attribute set by the OS when a file is created or modified. Backup
software often removes this attribute when backing up a file in order to mark it as a backed-
up file.
arithmetic logic unit - ansA component of a CPU that is responsible for all logical and
mathematical operations in the system.
aspect ratio - ansThe proportion between an image's width and height. Traditional CRT
monitors have an aspect ratio of 4:3. Widescreen displays have an aspect ratio of 16:9.
asymmetrical digital subscriber line - ansA type of DSL service in which the download speed
is higher than the upload speed.
asynchronous transfer mode - ansA type of switched network used by phone companies.
ATA Packet Interface - ansThe protocol for connecting optical drives and tape drives to an
ATA channel.
attended installation - ansAn installation of Windows that is not automated, where the user is
required to pay attention throughout the entire process to provide information and to respond
to messages. Also called a manual installation.
ATV12V - ansA power supply standard that has both the 20-pin connector for the
motherboard and a 4-pin 12 V connector.
ATX power supply - ansA power supply form factor that pairs with an ATX motherboard and
case.
audio modem riser - ansA small expansion card introduced in the late 1990s that plugs into a
special slot on a motherboard and uses the CPU to perform modem functions and sound
functions. It is not plug and play compatible.
Audit Policy - ansIn Windows, one or more settings found in the Local Security Settings
console.
authentication - ansA validation of a user account and password that occurs before the
security components of Windows will give the user access to the computer.
authentication factor - ansThings used for authentication, such as something you know,
something you have, or something you are. Authentication involves one or more of these
factors and can, therefore, be one-factor, two-factor, or three-factor authentication.
authorization - ansThe process that authenticates a user and verifies the user account's level
of access to a resource.
ASR - ansAn option available in the Windows XP Backup program for recovering from
damage that prevents the operating system from starting. It replaced the Emergency Repair
Disk (ERD) process in Windows 2000.
, CompTIA A+® Certification Study Guide.
A Compressive Exam Study Guide for
Guaranteed Success.
Top Rated Exam Study Guide 2025/2026
Automated System Recovery - ansIn Windows XP, this replaces the Emergency Repair
process of Windows NT and Windows 2000. It is available from the Windows Backup
program (NTBACKUP.EXE).
Automatic Private IP Address - ansAn address that a DHCP client will assign to itself after
requesting an address and failing to receive one from a DHCP server. The address it will
assign is in the 169.254 /16 network, which is the range of addresses from 169.254.0.1 to
169.254.255.254.
auto-switching power supply - ansA power supply that detects the incoming voltage and
switches to accept either 120 or 240 VAC.
back door - ansProgram code that provides a way for someone to gain access to a computer
while bypassing security. Only a person who knows how it works can use it, but once in, that
individual has the same access as the host program to all the internal operating system code.
background process - ansA process that runs "behind the scenes" with a low priority, does not
require input, and rarely creates output.
backup media - ansAny writable mass storage device, removable or fixed in place.
Balanced Technology eXtended - ansA motherboard form factor introduced in 2003 by Intel
as the successor to ATX.
bandwidth - ansThe amount of data that can travel over a network at a given time.
bar code reader - ansA specialized type of scanner that reads bar codes, which are patterns of
bars of varying widths printed on labels or directly on items. The bar pattern is converted into
a numeric code that is transmitted to a computer as data.
basic disk - ansA disk that uses basic storage, which means that it uses the partition table in
the master boot record (MBR) to define disk partitions.
BIOS - ansA type of computer firmware that is responsible for informing the CPU of
installed devices and how to communicate with them.
Basic Service Set - ansThe wireless nodes (including the WAP) communicating together in
infrastructure mode.
basic storage - ansA storage type in Windows that uses the partition table in the master boot
record (MBR) to define disk partitions.
BDD Workbench - ansA tool used to create and manage a distribution share and various
installation images.
beam-on-blade connector - ansThe type of connector used in the ExpressCard interface.
bidirectional mode - ansA parallel port mode in which the signals can be transmitted in both
directions between the PC and parallel devices connected to the computer.
biometric - ansA measurement of a body part, such as a fingerprint or retina scan.
biometric device - ansA device that uses a measurement of a body part, such as a fingerprint
or retina scan.
biometric logon - ansThe use of a biometric for authentication.
BIOS settings - ansThe BIOS configuration settings, also called system settings, accessed via
a special BIOS-based menu during system startup.
