The letter R: A Glossary of Windows Terms

Random Access Memory (RAM) – The physical memory in a computer. RAM stores data temporarily for the operating system, applications, and hardware components.

ReadyBoost – A new technology offered by Microsoft and included with Windows Vista editions that allows you to use a flash drive, thumb drive, or USB stick to add memory to a computer without opening the case.

Recycle Bin – A virtual trash can that stores deleted data (that can be recovered). Once the Recycle Bin is emptied, data is no longer recoverable from it.

Registry – In a Windows operating system it is the part of the system that holds user preferences, system settings, and software and hardware configuration information.

Remote Assistance – The act of getting assistance remotely, over the Internet, and a product name of an application used in Windows XP and Vista for offering and obtaining said assistance.

Remote Desktop – The act of accessing a computer over the Internet using Remote Desktop software. Remote Desktop software is included with Windows XP and Windows Vista editions, and is often used by telecommuters to access their work PC from home.

Resource – A computer, printer, file, folder, server or other item on a computer network that can be used and shared by and among users.

Restore Point – A point created by System Restore in Windows XP and Windows Vista that serves as a snapshot of the system state and the Registry. If necessary, a user can revert to this restore point to recover an unstable computer or the installation of a bad driver, among other things.

Ripping – The process of copying the music on a CD to a computer hard drive.

RJ-45 – The connectors used at the ends of twisted pair cable, also called Ethernet.

RSS – Really Simple Syndication. A technology that allows users to subscribe to an information feed. When viewing the feed, the user only sees information that he or she has not already accessed. RSS are often used on web sites that offer news, blogs, or technology information that changes frequently, often many times in a single day.

Router – A hardware or software solution that handles the data sent between two networks. A router looks at the source and destination addresses on the data packets and routes that data to the correct network and decides what path data should take to get there.

This post is part of the series: Windows Glossary

Learn the definitions for the terms used in the Bright Hub Windows Channel. This series starts with the letter “A” and runs all the way to “Z”.

1. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “A”
2. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “B”
3. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “C”
4. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “D”
5. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “E”
6. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “F”
7. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “G”
8. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “H”
9. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “I”
10. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “J” and “K”
11. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “L”
12. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “M”
13. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “N”
14. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “O”
15. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “P”
16. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “Q”
17. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “R”
18. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “S”
19. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “U and V”
20. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “W”
21. A Glossary of Windows Terms – “X”, “Y”, and “Z”