List of operating systems facts for kids

An operating system (often called an OS) is the most important software on a computer. Think of it as the brain of your device! It manages all the computer's hardware and software. It lets different programs run and helps you interact with the computer. Without an OS, your computer, tablet, or phone would just be a pile of metal and plastic.

There are many different types of operating systems. They can be grouped by how they are made, who owns them, how they are used, and more. This list shows some of the most well-known operating systems.

Popular Operating Systems

This section covers some of the most widely used operating systems today and some important ones from history.

Apple Operating Systems

Apple Inc. makes operating systems for its own devices.

• Classic Mac OS: This was the original operating system for Apple's Macintosh computers. It was known for being easy to use.
• macOS: This is the modern operating system for Apple's Mac computers. It used to be called Mac OS X and OS X. It's known for its sleek design and powerful features.
  • macOS Server: A special version of macOS designed for servers, which are powerful computers that manage networks and provide services to other computers.
• iOS: This is the operating system for Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch devices. It's famous for its simple touch interface.
  • iPadOS: A version of iOS made specifically for the iPad, which has a larger screen and different features.
  • watchOS: The operating system for the Apple Watch.
  • tvOS: The operating system for Apple TV, which lets you stream movies and shows.
  • visionOS: The operating system for Apple's Apple Vision Pro headset, designed for mixed reality.
• Newton OS: An early operating system for Apple's MessagePad devices, which were like early tablet computers.

Google Operating Systems

Google develops several operating systems, especially for mobile and web-based devices.

Android OS on the Samsung Galaxy Z smartphones

• Android: This is a very popular operating system for mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. It's based on the Linux kernel.
• ChromeOS: This OS is designed for laptops called Chromebooks. It works best with web applications and can also run Android apps.
• Wear OS: A version of Android made for smartwatches and other wearable devices.
• Fuchsia: This is a newer operating system that Google is developing. It's different because it's not based on Linux, but on a new core called "Zircon." It's designed to work on many different types of devices, from small embedded systems to large computers.

IBM Operating Systems

IBM has created many operating systems, especially for large, powerful computers called mainframes, and also for personal computers.

• OS/360: One of the first major operating systems for IBM's System/360 mainframes. It was very important in computer history.
• DOS/360: A Disk Operating System for System/360, which was widely used.
• VM: This OS allows many "virtual machines" to run on one physical computer, making it seem like there are multiple computers.
• PC DOS: IBM's version of the Disk Operating System for personal computers, developed with Microsoft.
• OS/2: An advanced operating system for personal computers, developed jointly by IBM and Microsoft for a while.

Microsoft Operating Systems

Microsoft is famous for its Windows operating systems.

• MS-DOS: This was a very common Disk Operating System for personal computers before Windows became popular.
• Windows: This is a family of operating systems known for its graphical user interface (GUI). It has many versions:
  • Early Windows (1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 3.1x): These were early versions that ran on top of MS-DOS.
  • Windows 95, 98, ME: These versions were more integrated, but still had roots in MS-DOS.
  • Windows NT: This was a completely new, more powerful and stable operating system that didn't rely on MS-DOS. Many modern Windows versions are based on NT.
    • Windows 2000: A business-focused version of Windows NT.
    • Windows XP: A very popular version of Windows, known for its stability and ease of use.
    • Windows Vista: A version of Windows that introduced new visual effects.
    • Windows 7: A widely used and well-liked version of Windows.
    • Windows 8: Introduced a new touch-friendly interface.
    • Windows 10: A major version that aimed to unify the experience across different devices.
    • Windows 11: The latest main version of Windows, with a refreshed design.
• Windows CE: A smaller version of Windows for handheld devices and embedded systems.
  • Windows Mobile: Based on Windows CE, designed for smartphones.
  • Windows Phone: A newer mobile operating system from Microsoft.
• Xbox system software: The operating system that runs on Microsoft's Xbox gaming consoles.

Other Proprietary Operating Systems

Many companies have developed their own unique operating systems.

• AmigaOS: An operating system for the Amiga computers, known for its multitasking abilities in the 1980s and 90s.
• BeOS: An operating system designed for multimedia, known for its fast performance.
• CP/M: A very important early operating system for microcomputers, similar to DOS.
• Domain/OS: One of the first operating systems designed for networked computers.
• HP-UX: A version of Unix developed by Hewlett-Packard for their powerful servers.
• HarmonyOS: An operating system developed by Huawei for various devices, including smartphones and smart TVs.
• NeXTSTEP: An advanced Unix-based operating system developed by NeXT (Steve Jobs' company after Apple), which later influenced macOS.
• VMS: A powerful operating system for large computers, known for its reliability.
• Symbian OS: A popular mobile operating system, especially for Nokia phones, before Android and iOS became dominant.
• Tizen: An operating system based on Linux, used by Samsung for smart TVs, smartwatches, and some phones.
• Unix: A very influential operating system developed at Bell Labs. Many modern operating systems, including Linux and macOS, are "Unix-like."

Non-Proprietary Operating Systems

These operating systems are often open-source, meaning their code can be freely used, changed, and shared by anyone.

Unix or Unix-like Systems

Many non-proprietary operating systems are based on or inspired by Unix.

• BSD: A family of Unix-like operating systems developed at the University of California, Berkeley.
  • FreeBSD: A popular and powerful version of BSD, used for servers and desktops.
  • NetBSD: Known for being very portable, meaning it can run on many different types of computer hardware.
  • OpenBSD: Focused on security and code quality.
• Linux: This is a very popular open-source Unix-like operating system. It's used everywhere, from smartphones (like Android) to supercomputers. There are many different versions, called "distributions."
  • Android: (Mentioned above, but also fits here as it's Linux-based)
  • ChromiumOS: The open-source version that ChromeOS is built upon.
  • Ubuntu Touch: A version of Linux designed for mobile devices.
• MINIX: A small, Unix-like operating system created for teaching purposes.
• OpenSolaris: An open-source version of Solaris, a Unix-based operating system originally from Sun Microsystems.
  • illumos: A continuation of OpenSolaris after Oracle stopped developing it openly.
• Plan 9 from Bell Labs: A research operating system that reimagined many Unix ideas.

Other Non-Unix Systems

Not all open-source operating systems are Unix-like.

• FreeDOS: An open-source version of the old MS-DOS operating system.
• Haiku: An open-source operating system inspired by BeOS, aiming to be fast and user-friendly.
• ReactOS: An open-source operating system that aims to be compatible with Windows NT, meaning it can run many Windows programs.
• SerenityOS: A modern Unix-like operating system with a look and feel inspired by 1990s operating systems.

Embedded Operating Systems

Embedded operating systems are designed for specific tasks within devices, often with limited resources.

Mobile Operating Systems

• BlackBerry OS: The operating system for older BlackBerry smartphones.
• iOS: (Mentioned above)
• Palm OS: An early operating system for handheld devices.
• Windows Mobile: (Mentioned above)

Other Embedded Systems

• QNX: A Unix-like real-time operating system often used in cars, medical devices, and industrial control systems.
• VxWorks: A very common real-time operating system used in many embedded devices, from spacecraft to consumer electronics.
• Zephyr: A small, open-source real-time operating system for tiny devices connected to the internet (IoT).

Images for kids

• 

  A robot, representing the technology that operating systems control.