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

Page 4 of 26
Question #61
Which of the following is an accurate definition of 'Context Switching'?
A. The process of saving the state of a current process and loading the saved state of a new process onto the CPU.
B. Upgrading an operating system from Windows 10 to Windows 11.
C. Changing the user interface theme from a dark layout to a light layout.
D. Moving external storage hardware devices from one USB port to another.
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
Context switching is the mechanical process of storing and restoring the execution state (context) of a CPU core so that execution can resume from the same point later.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #62
Which security mechanism in Android keeps individual apps completely isolated from each other so they cannot access another app's data without explicit permission?
A. Defragmentation
B. App Sandboxing
C. Ahead-of-Time Compiling
D. Overclocking
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
Android leverages App Sandboxing, backed by Linux user group permissions, to run each application in an isolated environment so it cannot access other applications' operational files.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #63
Which of the following commands is used in Linux to copy files or directories from one location to another?
A. cp
B. mv
C. ln
D. rm
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
The 'cp' command is used in Unix-like systems to copy files or entire directory trees from a source path to a destination path.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #64
What type of memory allocation problem occurs when free memory blocks are broken down into tiny, disconnected gaps that are too small to serve new process requests?
A. Deadlock Allocation
B. Internal Fragmentation
C. External Fragmentation
D. Virtual Paging Fault
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
External fragmentation occurs when total free memory space exists to satisfy a allocation request, but it is split up non-contiguously into tiny pockets.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #65
Which default user interface environment is standard across Microsoft Windows operating systems?
A. GNOME Desktop
B. Explorer.exe (Windows Shell)
C. Bash CLI
D. Aqua User Interface
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
Explorer.exe provides the core Windows Graphical Shell user interface, including the desktop screen, taskbar, and file navigation.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #66
In operating systems, what is the primary function of the 'Medium-Term Scheduler'?
A. To handle real-time peripheral device drivers.
B. To assign processes directly to an available CPU core.
C. To control the initial BIOS POST test routines.
D. To swap processes out of main memory to secondary storage (and vice versa) to control the degree of multiprogramming.
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
The medium-term scheduler removes processes from main memory temporarily (swapping out) to reduce the degree of multiprogramming and manage memory constraints.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #67
Which Android version introduced the concept of runtime permissions, allowing users to grant or deny permissions dynamically rather than during app installation?
A. Android 5.0 Lollipop
B. Android 2.3 Gingerbread
C. Android 6.0 Marshmallow
D. Android 4.4 KitKat
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
Android 6.0 Marshmallow completely overhauled the application permission model by introducing runtime permissions to enhance user data security.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #68
Which file in older BIOS-based Windows operating systems (like Windows XP) held the boot configuration options and startup menus?
A. BCD (Boot Configuration Data)
B. grub.cfg
C. boot.ini
D. config.sys
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
Legacy Windows systems (up to Windows XP) relied on the text-based 'boot.ini' file located in the root system folder to read boot configuration parameters.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #69
Which Linux terminal command allows a user to safely change their current working directory location?
A. dir
B. cd
C. chown
D. mv
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
The 'cd' command stands for 'change directory' and is used to switch locations across folders in CLI navigation.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #70
What does a 'Symmetric' multi-threaded system share across all active threads running within the exact same process?
A. Address space, code section, and global data variables.
B. CPU registers, program counter, and stack pointers.
C. Processor clock cycles exclusively.
D. Nothing; threads share absolutely zero operational bounds.
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Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation:
Threads belonging to the same process share their parent process's memory space, program code section, global variables, and open operating system descriptors.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #71
Which structural concept refers to a piece of code that must execute atomically and cannot be accessed by more than one process at any given moment?
A. Deadlock Loop
B. System Hook
C. Shared Page Room
D. Critical Section
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
The Critical Section is a structural segment of program code that accesses shared resources or variables and must not be concurrently executed by multiple processes.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #72
Which Windows utility allows an administrator to schedule a task or script to execute automatically at specific times or after certain events?
A. Task Manager
B. System Properties
C. Task Scheduler
D. Registry Editor
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
Windows Task Scheduler is a built-in tool that lets users and administrative accounts schedule automated routines to execute on specific dates/times.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #73
In Linux, what does the command 'ls -l' do?
A. Launches a system log window.
B. Displays a long list format showing file permissions, owner details, sizes, and modification dates.
C. Permanently deletes all contents of the folder.
D. Lists only hidden configurations.
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
The '-l' option with the 'ls' command instructs the system to output contents in a detailed, long list format, displaying file permissions, owners, size, and date.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #74
Which of the following is a non-preemptive CPU scheduling algorithm?
A. Preemptive Priority
B. First-Come, First-Served (FCFS)
C. Round Robin
D. Shortest Remaining Time First
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
First-Come, First-Served is strictly non-preemptive; once a process obtains CPU execution rights, it keeps the processor until it terminates or blocks for input/output.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #75
Which partition type is required to boot an operating system from a GPT formatted drive under UEFI firmware standards?
A. Swap Partition
B. NTFS Primary Boot Sector
C. EFI System Partition (ESP)
D. Extended Logical Partition
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
The EFI System Partition (ESP) formatted with a FAT file system contains the bootloaders, drivers, and configuration files required by UEFI firmware.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #76
What does 'Internal Fragmentation' mean in paging-based memory management?
A. Total breakdown of memory allocation tracking registers.
B. Disk sector corruption within swap files.
C. Unused space left over at the end of an allocated memory block or page frame.
D. When two distinct programs try to overwrite the same RAM register.
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
Internal fragmentation happens when memory is allocated in fixed-size blocks (like pages), and a process requests less memory than the block size, leaving the remainder wasted inside that block.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #77
Which fundamental principle is used by an operating system to prevent user applications from directly overwriting or damaging crucial system code?
A. Disk Defragmentation
B. Spooler Buffering
C. Dynamic Link Libraries
D. Dual-Mode Operation (User Mode vs. Kernel Mode)
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
Dual-mode operation provides hardware-level protection by separating execution into restricted User Mode (for user apps) and privileged Kernel Mode (for the OS kernel).
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #78
Which of the following commands can be used in Linux to move a file or rename it directly?
A. ren
B. mv
C. cp
D. rn
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Correct Answer: Option B

Explanation:
The 'mv' command stands for move and is used in Unix-like systems to either move a file to another path or change its name.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #79
Which Android subsystem handles the core power management features to optimize battery consumption on mobile chipsets?
A. Surface Flinger Engine
B. Android Package Installer
C. Dalvik Cache Manager
D. Wakelocks (via Linux kernel power drivers)
Discuss
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Correct Answer: Option D

Explanation:
Android utilizes specialized power management routines (such as Wakelocks) integrated into its Linux kernel base to regulate system sleep cycles and battery drain.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems
Question #80
What is the name of the structural system table maintained by an operating system to keep track of all relevant details of a running process?
A. Interrupt Vector Table (IVT)
B. File Allocation Table (FAT)
C. Process Control Block (PCB)
D. Master Boot Record (MBR)
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Correct Answer: Option C

Explanation:
The Process Control Block (PCB) is a data structure used by the operating system kernel to store all structural metadata and state flags for a specific process.
This question belongs to: Computer Operating Systems

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