You may have heard of UNIX, Windows and Mac OS, but what is an operating system and what does it do? The operating system is like the backbone of the computer. An operating system is the primary software that organizes and controls all the hardware, functions, operations and software programs of a computer.

The kind of operating system a computer uses is dependent on what kind of computer it is and what it is going to be used for. Most computers come pre-loaded with the operating system when you purchase them.

Personal computers usually come pre-loaded with Windows, Apple computers usually are pre-loaded with the Macintosh operating system and servers use such operating systems as Linux and UNIX however there are hundreds of operating systems available if you have specific needs for them. Operating systems are in all kinds of products that we use, not just computers. Operating systems are used by video game consoles, cell phones, PDAs and more.

The operating system has control over all the functions of the computer and manages how software programs work and their communication and interactions with each other. The operating system is responsible for making sure everything runs smoothly during the operation of your computer and that the programs that are running do not interfere with each other.

It is also responsible for effectively managing the usage of the various hardware components in your computer such as memory and storage. This keeps the individual software programs you have on the computer from needing to manage the details. Every aspect of you computer is managed by the operating system including your keyboard, your motherboard, your hard drive and your monitor.

The operating system works by recognizing input from the devices or software connected or installed. It then sends this information to the necessary recipient such as the hard drive or the monitor. From there the information is processed into output. For example when you move your mouse, the operating system detects the input from the ball inside of it, that information is sent to the monitor and the mouse pointer moves around he screen.

The operating system also plays a vital role in security. It prevents unauthorized users, programs and websites from accessing the computer system. This could be over a network, over the internet, or on the computer itself. Some operating systems allow you to set up more than one user and require a logon to that user account. This allows you to set different levels of permissions for each user and can help secure your data.

Martin helps people learn about technology and Internet. You can read more about Windows 7 Themes on the Windows 7 website.

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