Types of Operating System-Interactive (GUI Based)

Before learning about the types of operating system (GUI-based), let us know about the operating system and GUI.

Operating System

An operating system (OS) is a program that acts as an interface between the system hardware and the user. Moreover, it handles all the interactions between the software and the hardware.

Graphical User Interface (GUI)

GUI stands for Graphical User Interface. As the name suggests, it provides a graphical interface for the user to interact with the computer. Since the old interfaces were using commands which were difficult to remember. Therefore, to resolve all these difficulties GUI was developed.

It uses icons, menus, etc. to interact with the user. Moreover, the user can easily interact by just clicking these items. Therefore, it is very user friendly and there is no need to remember any commands. Examples of GUI based operating system are Microsoft Windows, macOS, etc.

Types of Operating System (GUI based)

The different types of operating system on the basis of GUI are as follows:

1. Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Windows is one of the most common graphical OS. It is developed and marketed by Microsoft. Its common name is windows or win. The current version of Microsoft Windows is Windows 10. Moreover, it has several earlier versions like Windows XP, Windows 8, Windows 7, etc. Besides, the most common editions for home computers are Windows Home (Win Home) and Windows Professional (Win Pro or Windows Pro).

The first version of Microsoft Windows was released in 1985. Do you know why the name for this OS is Microsoft Windows? This is because, earlier, windows used the command line operating system, MS-DOS. Since the graphical version consists of windows. Moreover, these windows help the user to perform multiple tasks. Hence, the name Microsoft Windows.

2. Linux

Linux is a popular operating system. It is not a part of any particular firm or organization. Rather, it was developed by a programmer Linus Torvalds in 1991. It is an open-source operating system. Moreover, Today, LINUX is run in many organizations, private offices, on mobiles, supercomputers, over the internet, etc. Therefore, we can say that it is one of the most popular OS today.

It already contains almost all the features of UNIX OS. Moreover, it also has some additional features. Moreover, It contains a variety of user interfaces like GNOME, KDE, Mate, Cinnamon, etc. In addition to this, it has several versions of distributions as follows UBUNTU, DEBIAN, SOLAS, LINUX MINT, etc.

3. Android

It is one of the most common versions of the operating system today. It is basically used on mobile phones and tablets. Most versions of it are an open-source OS.

4. Apple iOS

After android, it is one of the most popular OS. It is designed to run on Apple devices such as iPhones, iPad tablets, etc.

5. Apple macOS

It is the operating system used in Apple laptops and Apple desktops. Moreover, Its most popular features are Siri and FaceTime.

Browse more Topics under Operating System

• Need for Operating System
• Functions of Operating System
• Time Sharing
• Real Time Operating System (RTOS)
• Distributed Operating System
• Commonly Used Operating System
• Mobile OS

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is the GUI?

A1. GUI stands for Graphical User Interface. Further, it provides a graphical interface for the user to interact with the computer. Since the old interfaces were using commands which were difficult to remember. Therefore, to resolve all these difficulties GUI was developed. It uses icons, menus, etc. to interact with the user. The user can easily interact by just clicking these items.

Q2. List types of operating system based on GUI.

A2. GUI based OS are as follows:

• Microsoft Windows
• LINUX
• Apple iOS
• Apple macOS
• Android etc.