Technology
What is An operating system?
An operating system (OS) is the core software that manages a computer's hardware and runs your programs. Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS are operating systems — the layer between you and the machine.
See it, don’t just read it.
Watch a 2-minute lesson with voice + animation that explains an operating system.
Key things to understand
- 1It manages the CPU, memory, storage, and devices.
- 2It lets multiple programs run at once and share resources fairly.
- 3It provides a consistent interface so apps don't talk to hardware directly.
- 4Examples: Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS.
Frequently asked questions
- What does an operating system do?
- It manages hardware and resources, runs applications, and provides the interface between you and the computer.
- What are examples of operating systems?
- Windows, macOS, and Linux on computers; Android and iOS on phones.
- Why do we need an operating system?
- It lets programs run without each controlling the hardware directly, and shares resources safely among them.