Operating System Basics Questions with Solutions
An operating system (OS) is the system software that manages a computer's hardware and provides services to programs and users. This topic covers the main functions of an OS: process management, memory management, file management, device management and security. It also covers types of operating systems (batch, multiprogramming, multitasking, multiuser, real-time and distributed), common examples such as Windows, Linux, macOS, Android and iOS, and interface types such as the command-line interface and the graphical user interface. Exam questions test the functions of an OS, identifying the type of OS suited to a situation, booting (cold and warm boot), and basic terms such as kernel, shell, file system and multitasking. The kernel is the core of the OS that directly controls the hardware, while the shell is the interface through which users give commands. Practise the operating system basics questions below. Each answer includes an explanation.
- Q1.
What is the main difference between a process and a thread?
A. A process is a lightweight task, while a thread is a heavyweight taskB. A thread has its own memory space, while a process shares memoryC. A process has its own memory space, while a thread shares the memory of the processD. Threads cannot run concurrently, but processes caneasyAsked in MAH MCA CET 2025View solution › - Q2.
Interval between the time of submission and completion of the job is called...
A. Waiting timeB. Turnaround timeC. ThroughputD. Response timeeasyAsked in MAH MCA CET 2025View solution › - Q3.
__ is a software program that manages hardware and software resources of a computer.
A. ApplicationB. IPCC. File systemD. Operating systemeasyAsked in MAH MCA CET 2024View solution › - Q4.
Which of the following statements about the FAT32 and NTFS file systems is wrong?
A. Read and write speeds of NTFS are faster than those of FAT32B. FAT32 has lower disk utilisation compared to NTFSC. NTFS stands for New Technology File SystemD. FAT32 stores individual files of size up to 32 GBeasyAsked in NIMCET 2023View solution › - Q5.
Which of the following is not an operating system?
A. AndroidB. VistaC. IOSD. OperaeasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q6.
What is MS DOS?
A. Multipurpose System Digital Offline SignB. Microsoft Disk Operating SystemC. Multi System Disk Operating SystemD. Microchip Sign Digital SystemeasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q7.
The UNIX operating system is suitable for
A. Multi userB. Real-Time ProcessingC. Distributed ProcessingD. Single usereasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q8.
What is Windows Explorer?
A. A driveB. A web browserC. A networkD. A file managereasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q9.
Background of screen is known as:
A. ApplicationB. windowC. desktopD. HomeeasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q10.
Operating system used most commonly in smart phones is
A. AndroidB. iosC. WindowsD. LinuxeasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q11.
_______among the following is not an operating system.
A. Mozilla FirefoxB. Microsoft WindowsC. LinuxD. Apple MacOSeasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q12.
Which of the following keyboard shortcuts displays the Start menu in the Windows operating system?
A. Ctrl + ZB. Alt + SpacebarC. Ctrl+ EscD. Alt + EntereasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q13.
Which one of the following statements about MS-DOS is true?
A. It is an open source softwareB. It can multitaskC. It has a Command Line InterfaceD. It supports multiuserseasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q14.
A multitasking operating system means that:
A. Multiple computers can be networked together.B. multiple people can use computer concurrentlyC. several programs can be operated concurrentlyD. the operating system can divide work between several CPUseasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q15.
Which of these is not an Operating System?
A. UnixB. SQLC. LinuxD. Mac OSeasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q16.
Which of the following uses a handheld operating system?
A. A supercomputerB. A personal computerC. A laptopD. A PDAeasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q17.
To display the contents of a folder in Windows Explorer you should _________.
A. click on itB. collapse itC. name itD. give if a passwordeasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q18.
Which of the following refers to the rectangular area for displaying Information and running programs?
A. DesktopB. Dialog boxC. MenuD. WindoweasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q19.
________ is a Windows utility a program that locates and eliminates unnecessary fragments and rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize operations.
A. BackupB. Disk CleanupC. Disk DefragmenterD. RestoreeasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution › - Q20.
Which of the following refers to restarting the system when it is already powered on?
A. Strong BootB. HibernationC. Cold BootD. Warm BooteasyAsked in TCS ExamView solution ›