Glossary
The terms this documentation uses, in alphabetical order. Links lead to the page that describes the term in detail.
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Action bar | The bar that appears above the app list as soon as at least one app is selected. It shows the number of selected apps and the actions that apply to them. → The app list |
| App Installer | The Microsoft Store package that provides the Windows Package Manager (winget). O&O AppBuster needs it for the update feature. → Updates |
| Bridge app | A program that is installed by an MSI but also registers as a Windows package, for example Visual Studio Code. O&O AppBuster classifies it as the desktop app it really is. → Desktop apps |
| Cards / Details | The two layouts of the app list. Cards shows one wide row per app with the most important facts; Details is a sortable table with configurable columns. → The app list |
| Defect app | A program installed by the Windows Installer whose cached installer package is missing, so Windows can no longer uninstall, repair or update it. → Defect apps |
| Desktop app | A classic Windows program (Win32 / MSI) installed from a setup file and removed by its own uninstaller. → Desktop apps |
| Framework app | A runtime package that other apps depend on, for example the Visual C++ runtime packages. Shown for information only; cannot be removed. → System and framework apps |
| Ghost installer registration | A Windows Installer product registration without a matching program or uninstall entry. It makes Windows believe the software is still installed and can block a reinstallation. → Orphaned apps |
| Hidden app | A Windows app that is present on the PC but not registered for your user account, so it appears neither in the Start menu nor on the Windows Apps & features page. → Hidden apps |
| Installable | The status of a Windows app whose files are on the computer but which is not installed for your account. It can be installed from O&O AppBuster. → Install apps |
| Newly discovered | The Smart View for apps that were not present the last time you used O&O AppBuster. Mark all as viewed resets it. → Newly discovered apps |
| Orphaned app | A leftover of software that was uninstalled without cleaning up after itself: a data folder, a stale uninstall entry or a ghost installer registration. → Orphaned apps |
| Provisioned app | A Windows app that Windows or the PC manufacturer placed on the machine so that it is installed for new user accounts. It may be hidden for existing accounts. → Hidden apps |
| Recently installed | The Smart View for apps installed within the last 30 days, based on the install date recorded by Windows. → Smart Views |
| Recommendation | O&O AppBuster's assessment of an app: keep, optional or remove. Apps not on the curated list receive keep. → Recommendations |
| Removal scope | How far the removal of a Windows app reaches: Current user, All users or Entire PC — including files. Desktop apps have no scope. → Remove apps |
| Smart View | A ready-made filter for the app list, selected with the chips above the list or under View → Filter. Each chip shows the number of apps it contains. → Smart Views |
| Staged app | A Windows app whose package files were unpacked onto the PC but which no user account has installed. Typically left behind by Windows updates or manufacturer images. → Windows apps |
| System app | A component of Windows itself, such as the shell or the settings interface. Shown for information only; cannot be removed. → System and framework apps |
| System Protection | The Windows feature that creates restore points. It must be switched on for the system drive before O&O AppBuster can create a system restore point. → System restore point |
| System restore point | A snapshot of system files, installed programs, registry settings and drivers that Windows can return to. O&O AppBuster offers to create one before the first change of a session. → System restore point |
| Unremovable | The status of system and framework apps. O&O AppBuster does not offer to remove them. → System and framework apps |
| User Account Control (UAC) | The Windows prompt that asks for confirmation before a program runs with administrator rights. O&O AppBuster shows it once at startup. → System requirements |
| Windows app | A modern app from the Microsoft Store (UWP / MSIX), managed by the Windows package system. It can be removed per user, for all users or from the machine, and reinstalled. → Windows apps |
| Windows Installer (MSI) | The Windows installation service used by many desktop programs. It keeps a cached copy of each installer package that is needed to uninstall, repair or update the program. → Defect apps |
| Windows Package Manager (winget) | The command-line package manager of Windows. O&O AppBuster uses it to find and install updates for desktop apps. → Updates |