Operating Systems MCQs

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

510 Total
Question #61 Report Error
Which of the following is an accurate definition of 'Context Switching'?
A. Moving external storage hardware devices from one USB port to another.
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. The process of saving the state of a current process and loading the saved state of a new process onto the CPU.

Correct Answer: Option D


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 Report Error
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. Ahead-of-Time Compiling
C. App Sandboxing
D. Overclocking

Correct Answer: Option C


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 Report Error
Which of the following commands is used in Linux to copy files or directories from one location to another?
A. cp
B. mv
C. rm
D. ln

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 Report Error
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. Virtual Paging Fault
B. Internal Fragmentation
C. External Fragmentation
D. Deadlock Allocation

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 Report Error
Which default user interface environment is standard across Microsoft Windows operating systems?
A. Explorer.exe (Windows Shell)
B. Aqua User Interface
C. Bash CLI
D. GNOME Desktop

Correct Answer: Option A


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 Report Error
In operating systems, what is the primary function of the 'Medium-Term Scheduler'?
A. To swap processes out of main memory to secondary storage (and vice versa) to control the degree of multiprogramming.
B. To assign processes directly to an available CPU core.
C. To control the initial BIOS POST test routines.
D. To handle real-time peripheral device drivers.

Correct Answer: Option A


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 Report Error
Which Android version introduced the concept of runtime permissions, allowing users to grant or deny permissions dynamically rather than during app installation?
A. Android 6.0 Marshmallow
B. Android 2.3 Gingerbread
C. Android 5.0 Lollipop
D. Android 4.4 KitKat

Correct Answer: Option A


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 Report Error
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. config.sys
C. grub.cfg
D. boot.ini

Correct Answer: Option D


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 Report Error
Which Linux terminal command allows a user to safely change their current working directory location?
A. chown
B. dir
C. mv
D. cd

Correct Answer: Option D


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 Report Error
What does a 'Symmetric' multi-threaded system share across all active threads running within the exact same process?
A. Nothing; threads share absolutely zero operational bounds.
B. CPU registers, program counter, and stack pointers.
C. Processor clock cycles exclusively.
D. Address space, code section, and global data variables.

Correct Answer: Option D


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