ACPI
Definition
Advanced Configuration and Power Interface, the platform description and power standard.
Detailed explanation
ACPI means Advanced Configuration and Power Interface, the standard through which platform firmware describes devices, power states, thermal zones, batteries, and control methods to an operating system. Windows evaluates ACPI tables and methods during enumeration and power transitions. OEM-defined ACPI devices often depend on model-specific software. AML control methods execute in the operating system’s ACPI interpreter and can expose buttons, sensors, power resources, or embedded-controller operations. Firmware defects at this boundary can appear as Windows device or sleep behavior even though no ordinary driver binary defines the underlying method.
Where you are likely to see it
This term usually appears in Device Manager, Windows recovery tools, Event Viewer, or the installation details for a device package. The definition above gives the short meaning; the detailed explanation describes the term's role in the operating system and hardware stack.
Device status, hardware IDs, and event text identify which Windows subsystem produced a label. This glossary is informational and does not provide repair, installation, or technical-support services.
Related vocabulary
Explore connected concepts and nearby entries in the Windows hardware vocabulary.
- WHQLWindows Hardware Quality Labs, Microsoft’s certification program for drivers.
- INF FileA Setup Information file that declares package installation and hardware support.
- BIOSBasic Input/Output System, the traditional term for PC platform firmware.
- BluetoothA family of short-range radio standards and device profiles.