Operating Systems MCQs

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Operating Systems MCQs

Practice Operating System MCQs covering Windows, Linux, Android, booting, multitasking and multiprocessing concepts with answers and explanations.

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Total Questions

Practice Questions

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Question #1
Which of the following components of an Operating System remains permanently in the main memory (RAM) during the entire computer session?
A. Kernel
B. Application Software
C. Device Driver
D. Compiler
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
The kernel is the core component of an Operating System that is loaded into the main memory during booting and remains there until the system is shut down.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #2
What is the primary difference between Multitasking and Multiprocessing operating systems?
A. Multitasking switches between multiple programs on a single CPU, while Multiprocessing executes multiple tasks simultaneously using two or more CPUs.
B. Multiprocessing handles only peripheral devices, while multitasking manages user files.
C. There is no difference; both terms represent the exact same technology.
D. Multitasking requires multiple physical microprocessors, while multiprocessing runs on a single core.
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
Multitasking simulates concurrent execution by rapidly switching a single CPU across tasks, whereas multiprocessing uses multiple distinct CPUs or cores to execute tasks truly concurrently.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #3
In Windows Operating Systems, which system tool is explicitly used to optimize disk space by rearranging fragmented files into contiguous sectors?
A. Disk Cleanup
B. Chkdsk
C. Task Manager
D. Disk Defragmenter and Optimize Drives
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
Disk Defragmenter consolidates fragmented files on a hard drive to improve read/write access speeds and overall system performance.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #4
Which of the following files acts as the default boot loader for modern Windows systems utilizing UEFI firmware?
A. bootmgr.efi
B. NTLDR
C. io.sys
D. grub.efi
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
Modern Windows operating systems on UEFI systems use bootmgr.efi as the primary boot manager, whereas older BIOS-based legacy systems used NTLDR or bootmgr.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #5
Android is primarily based on which operating system kernel?
A. Linux Kernel
B. Hybrid Kernel
C. Unix Kernel
D. Windows NT Kernel
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
Android is an open-source operating system designed for mobile devices, built directly on top of a modified version of the Linux kernel.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #6
What is the primary role of the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) during the cold booting process?
A. To load the user's desktop environment and background services.
B. To run the POST (Power-On Self-Test) and initialize system hardware before handing control to the bootloader.
C. To compile application software into machine language.
D. To permanently store user data and system files.
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
The BIOS performs the Power-On Self-Test (POST) to ensure all hardware components are functioning and then locates the bootloader to start the OS.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #7
Which Linux command is used to display the currently running processes along with dynamic, real-time system resource usage?
A. ls
B. top
C. grep
D. ps
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
The 'top' command in Linux provides a dynamic, real-time view of the running tasks, CPU utilization, and memory consumption.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #8
What type of multitasking technique requires the operating system to explicitly allocate a specific time slice (quantum) to each running process?
A. Cooperative Multitasking
B. Preemptive Multitasking
C. Sequential Multitasking
D. Single-tasking
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
In Preemptive Multitasking, the OS uses a hardware timer to interrupt a process when its allocated time slice (quantum) expires, ensuring fair CPU distribution.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #9
Which file system is used as the standard, default option for modern internal drives in Windows 10 and Windows 11?
A. NTFS
B. FAT32
C. exFAT
D. ext4
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
NTFS (New Technology File System) is the native and default file system for modern Windows installations, providing security, journaling, and large file size support.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #10
In an operating system, what is a 'Deadlock'?
A. A software bug that permanently crashes the hardware system motherboard.
B. The safe closing down procedure of the kernel during a reboot.
C. A situation where a process finishes its execution earlier than expected.
D. A condition where two or more processes are permanently blocked because each is waiting for a resource held by the other.
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
A deadlock is a specific state where a set of processes are stalled because each process holds a resource and waits for another resource held by a different process.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #11
Which of the following is the official default file system used by most modern distributions of Linux?
A. ext4
B. FAT16
C. HFS+
D. NTFS
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
The Fourth Extended File System (ext4) is the current standard, highly reliable file system used by default across major Linux distributions.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #12
What is the name of the software layer in Android that provides standard interfaces to expose device hardware capabilities to the higher-level Java API framework?
A. Android Runtime (ART)
B. Linux Kernel
C. Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL)
D. Native C/C++ Libraries
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
The Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) defines a standard interface for hardware vendors to implement, enabling higher-level Android framework APIs to interact with hardware.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #13
What process occurs during a 'Warm Boot' of a computer system?
A. The operating system is reinstalled entirely from an external installation drive.
B. The computer is reset or restarted using software instructions without cutting off physical electrical power.
C. The system is turned on from a complete powered-off state.
D. The CPU is physically heated using diagnostic software tools.
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
A warm boot (rebooting) occurs when a computer is already running and is restarted using system options or keys without interrupting the electrical power supply.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #14
Which scheduling algorithm assigns the CPU to processes strictly in the exact order they arrive in the ready queue?
A. Round Robin (RR)
B. Priority Scheduling
C. First-Come, First-Served (FCFS)
D. Shortest Job First (SJF)
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
First-Come, First-Served (FCFS) is a non-preemptive scheduling policy where the process that requests the CPU first receives it first.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #15
What is the name of the main repository of configuration settings, system preferences, and user options in Microsoft Windows?
A. Control Panel
B. Windows Registry
C. Task Manager
D. System INI files
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
The Windows Registry is a centralized, hierarchical database used by Microsoft Windows to store low-level settings for the OS and applications.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #16
Which mechanism allows an operating system to simulate more memory than the computer physically contains by transferring data temporarily to secondary storage?
A. Dynamic RAM
B. Read-Only Memory
C. Cache Memory
D. Virtual Memory
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
Virtual memory combines physical RAM with temporary space on the hard drive (paging/swap file) to let the system handle larger memory loads than physical RAM capacity allows.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #17
In Linux systems, who is the superuser that possesses unrestricted access permissions to all files and system commands?
A. Root
B. Supervisor
C. Administrator
D. Guest
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
The 'root' user is the conventional name of the system administrator account in Unix-like operating systems, carrying complete administrative rights.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #18
What is the core purpose of a device driver in an operating system?
A. To act as a translator enabling communication between the operating system and specific hardware peripherals.
B. To scan user applications for viruses and security issues.
C. To provide internet connection capabilities to the web browser software.
D. To optimize the layout of database structures in permanent storage.
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
Device drivers are specialized programs that enable the Operating System to communicate effectively with external hardware components and peripherals.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #19
Which of the following Android components replaced the older Dalvik Virtual Machine (DVM) to provide faster app execution via Ahead-Of-Time (AOT) compilation?
A. Zygote Process
B. Bionic Libc
C. Android Runtime (ART)
D. Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
ART (Android Runtime) replaced Dalvik starting from Android 5.0 (Lollipop), improving application performance through Ahead-Of-Time compilation.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #20
Which command-line interface shortcut in Windows opens the Run dialog box directly?
A. Alt + F4
B. Windows Logo Key + R
C. Windows Logo Key + E
D. Ctrl + Shift + Esc
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
Pressing the Windows Key + R opens the 'Run' dialog box, allowing users to type and run programs, commands, or open folders instantly.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems

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