An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer's language. Without an operating system, a computer is useless.
Watch the video below to learn more about operating systems.
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The operating system's job
Your computer's operating system [OS] manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the time, there are several different computer programs running at the same time, and they all need to access your computer's central processing unit [CPU], memory, and storage. The operating system coordinates all of this to make sure each program gets what it needs.
Types of operating systems
Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on any computer you buy. Most people use the operating system that comes with their computer, but it's possible to upgrade or even change operating systems. The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI [pronounced gooey]. A GUI lets you use your mouse to click icons, buttons, and menus, and everything is clearly displayed on the screen using a combination of graphics and text.
Each operating system's GUI has a different look and feel, so if you switch to a different operating system it may seem unfamiliar at first. However, modern operating systems are designed to be easy to use, and most of the basic principles are the same.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft created the Windows operating system in the mid-1980s. There have been many different versions of Windows, but the most recent ones are Windows 10 [released in 2015], Windows 8 [2012], Windows 7 [2009], and Windows Vista [2007]. Windows comes pre-loaded on most new PCs, which helps to make it the most popular operating system in the world.
Check out our tutorials on Windows Basics and specific Windows versions for more information.
macOS
macOS [previously called OS X] is a line of operating systems created by Apple. It comes preloaded on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave [released in 2018], High Sierra [2017], and Sierra [2016].
According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less than 10% of global operating systems—much lower than the percentage of Windows users [more than 80%]. One reason for this is that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. However, many people do prefer the look and feel of macOS over Windows.
Check out our macOS Basics tutorial for more information.
Linux
Linux [pronounced LINN-ux] is a family of open-source operating systems, which means they can be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary software like Windows, which can only be modified by the company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are that it is free, and there are many different distributions—or versions—you can choose from.
According to , Linux users account for less than 2% of global operating systems. However, most servers run Linux because it's relatively easy to customize.
To learn more about different distributions of Linux, visit the Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Fedora websites, or refer to our Linux Resources. For a more comprehensive list, you can visit MakeUseOf's list of The Best Linux Distributions.
Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren't as fully featured as those made for desktop and laptop computers, and they aren't able to run all of the same software. However, you can still do a lot of things with them, like watch movies, browse the Web, manage your calendar, and play games.
In the area of desktop and laptop computers, Microsoft Windows is the most commonly installed OS, at approximately between 77% and 87.8% globally. Apple’s macOS accounts for approximately 9.6–13%, Google’s Chrome OS is up to 6% [in the US] and other Linux distributions are at around 2%.
What are the popular operating systems used today?
The three most common operating systems for personal computers are Microsoft Windows, macOS, and Linux. Modern operating systems use a graphical user interface, or GUI [pronounced gooey].
What is popular operating system?
Windows is the most popular operating system for PCs. … An operating system is software that runs on a computer and is responsible for managing software applications and computer resources. The most installed operating system in the world is Android. For desktop PCs, Windows is the most popular operating system.
What are the five most commonly used operating systems?
Five of the most common operating systems are Microsoft Windows, Apple macOS, Linux, Android and Apple’s iOS.
Which OS has most users?
Global market share held by computer operating systems 2012-2021, by month. Microsoft’s Windows is the most widely used computer operating system in the world, accounting for 70.92 percent share of the desktop, tablet, and console OS market in February 2021.
Psssst: Which is the most used feature in Windows 10?
Why is Linux less popular than Windows?
The main reason why Linux is not popular on the desktop is that it doesn’t have “the one” OS for the desktop as does Microsoft with its Windows and Apple with its macOS. If Linux had only one operating system, then the scenario would be totally different today. … Linux kernel has some 27.8 million lines of code.
What are the 4 types of operating system?
Following are the popular types of Operating System:
- Batch Operating System.
- Multitasking/Time Sharing OS.
- Multiprocessing OS.
- Real Time OS.
- Distributed OS.
- Network OS.
- Mobile OS.
22 февр. 2021 г.
Who invented operating system?
‘A real inventor’: UW’s Gary Kildall, father of the PC operating system, honored for key work.
Is iPhone an operating system?
Apple’s iPhone runs on the iOS operating system. Which is completely different from Android and Windows operating systems. IOS is the software platform on which all Apple devices like iPhone, iPad, iPod, and MacBook, etc runs.
What’s the best operating system for a laptop?
Microsoft’s Windows came out on top in this battle, winning nine out of 12 rounds and tying in one round. It simply offers shoppers more — more apps, more photo and video-editing options, more browser choices, more productivity programs, more games, more types of file support and more hardware options.
Is chromebook a Linux OS?
Chromebooks run an operating system, ChromeOS, that is built on the Linux kernel but was originally designed to only run Google’s web browser Chrome. … That changed in 2016 when Google announced support for installing apps written for its other Linux-based operating system, Android.
Is Harmony OS better than Android?
A much faster OS than android
Psssst: The Ios Operating System Is Found On Which Device?
As Harmony OS uses distributed data management and task scheduling, Huawei claims that its distributed technologies are more efficient in performance than Android. … According to Huawei, it has resulted in up to 25.7% response latency and 55.6% latency fluctuation improvement.
Which is a disadvantage of Mac operating systems?
It has been established that one of the drawbacks of macOS is that it is inherently attached to a Mac computer. This drawback also speaks of another disadvantage: limited hardware upgrade options. For example, some of the hardware components of a MacBook or an iMac such as the CPU or RAM cannot be upgraded easily.
What is an operating system in 100 words?
An operating system [or OS] is a group of computer programs, including device drivers, kernels, and other software that lets people interact with a computer. It manages computer hardware and software resources. It provides common services for computer programs. … An operating system has many jobs.
Which operating system is the most popular today and why?
Windows still holds the title as the world’s most used operating system on desktops and laptops. With a 39.5 percent market share in March, Windows is still the most-used platform in North America. The iOS platform is next with 25.7 percent usage in North America, followed by 21.2 percent of Android usage.