Operating System Functions

Just as the engine is the driving force behind an automobile, the operating system (OS) is the driving force behind your computer. Your choice of engine in your automobile affects the performance of its system, and also affects what you can do with your vehicle. In a similar way, you will find that the performance and functionality of your computer is different if you use MS-DOS, Windows NT Workstation 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, or some other operating system.

The operating system is responsible for several major functions on your computer, so you should take a look at some of these functions. In order to achieve its purpose of managing your computer, the operating system relies on its major components. This tutorial examines these components and how they interrelate to effectively manage the computer. By the end of this tutorial, you will be able to effectively choose between Windows 2000 and Windows XP for your system.