Windows, Mac Os, And Which Other Operating System Constitute Three Desktop Operating Systems?

Lesson 8: Understanding Operating Systems

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What is an operating organisation?

An operating system is the virtually important software that runs on a calculator. Information technology manages the computer's memory and processes, as well as all of its software and hardware. It too allows y'all to communicate with the computer without knowing how to speak the computer'south language. Without an operating system, a estimator is useless.

Watch the video below to learn more than well-nigh operating systems.

Looking for the sometime version of this video? You can still view information technology here.

The operating system'south job

Your computer'due south operating system (Bone) manages all of the software and hardware on the computer. Most of the fourth dimension, there are several different computer programs running at the same fourth dimension, and they all need to access your computer'southward central processing unit (CPU), memory, and storage. The operating organisation coordinates all of this to make sure each program gets what it needs.

Types of operating systems

Operating systems usually come pre-loaded on whatsoever calculator you buy. Most people employ the operating system that comes with their calculator, but information technology's possible to upgrade or fifty-fifty 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.

showing a graphical user interface example

Each operating system's GUI has a unlike wait and feel, then if y'all 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 organization in the mid-1980s. There have been many dissimilar versions of Windows, but the about contempo ones are Windows ten (released in 2015), Windows 8 (2012), Windows 7 (2009), and Windows Vista (2007). Windows comes pre-loaded on near new PCs, which helps to get in the most popular operating organisation in the world.

viewing a windows operating system

Bank 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 tree. It comes preloaded on all Macintosh computers, or Macs. Some of the specific versions include Mojave (released in 2018), High Sierra (2017), andSierra (2016).

According to StatCounter Global Stats, macOS users account for less than ten% of global operating systems—much lower than the per centum of Windows users (more than 80%). One reason for this is that Apple computers tend to be more expensive. Still, many people do adopt the expect and experience of macOS over Windows.

viewing a mac operating system

Check out our macOS Nuts tutorial for more information.

Linux

Linux (pronounced LINN-ux) is a family unit of open-source operating systems, which means they tin be modified and distributed by anyone around the world. This is different from proprietary software like Windows, which tin can simply exist modified past the company that owns it. The advantages of Linux are that it is gratuitous, and there are many different distributions—or versions—yous can choose from.

Co-ordinate to StatCounter Global Stats, Linux users account for less than 2% of global operating systems. However, most servers run Linux considering it's relatively easy to customize.

To acquire more than most unlike 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 listing of The Best Linux Distributions.

Operating systems for mobile devices

The operating systems we've been talking about and so far were designed to run on desktop and laptop computers. Mobile devices such as phones, tablet computers, and MP3 players are different from desktop and laptop computers, so they run operating systems that are designed specifically for mobile devices. Examples of mobile operating systems include Apple iOS and Google Android . In the screenshot below, you can see iOS running on an iPad.

viewing operating systems for mobile devices

Operating systems for mobile devices generally aren't as fully featured as those fabricated for desktop and laptop computers, and they aren't able to run all of the same software. Still, y'all tin still exercise a lot of things with them, like lookout man movies, browse the Web, manage your agenda, and play games.

To acquire more about mobile operating systems, check out our Mobile Devices tutorials.

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