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Operating Systems Quizzes, Trivia and Puzzles
Operating Systems Quizzes, Trivia

Operating Systems Trivia

Operating Systems Trivia Quizzes

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13 Operating Systems quizzes and 145 Operating Systems trivia questions.
1.
  Windows XP   great trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Enjoy these basic questions on Windows XP, Home Edition and Professional.
Average, 10 Qns, Polaris101, Apr 21 20
Average
Polaris101 gold member
Apr 21 20
9507 plays
2.
  Linux   popular trivia quiz  
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Here are some basic questions about "Linux", the smart computer operating system. People who have used Linux, even occasionally, should find it easy.
Easier, 10 Qns, tiffanysgal, Jun 05 24
Easier
tiffanysgal
Jun 05 24
4445 plays
3.
  More Keyboard Commands!    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is my second keyboard commands quiz. This will cover ten more helpful commands for Microsoft's Windows operating system.
Average, 10 Qns, Clayfrd, Jun 06 22
Average
Clayfrd
Jun 06 22
2447 plays
4.
  Keyboard Commands    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This is a quiz over basic Microsoft keyboard commands, such as "Ctrl+Alt+Del."
Average, 10 Qns, clayfrd, Jun 06 22
Average
clayfrd
Jun 06 22
4446 plays
5.
  I am Not One to Mouse Around    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about some of the shortcut keys that were built into the Windows operating systems.
Average, 10 Qns, bilig, Dec 08 19
Average
bilig
Dec 08 19
4306 plays
6.
  We All Have (Windows) Control Issues    
Multiple Choice
 20 Qns
A quiz about the nerve center of Windows - the Control Panel. All questions refer to the Windows 7 Control Panel in icon view; there may be other ways to perform the tasks described, but the answers are based solely on the Control Panel.
Average, 20 Qns, bigtim64, Jul 05 22
Average
bigtim64 gold member
Jul 05 22
350 plays
7.
  GNU/Linux Distros    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Think you know a bit about GNU/Linux Distros? This quiz will run through some basic knowledge related to GNU/Linux and then dig deeper into this author's favorite Linux distro, Ubuntu.
Average, 10 Qns, CollinBlatt, Mar 28 17
Average
CollinBlatt
202 plays
8.
  Can You Operate Bilingually?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
The Windows and Macintosh operating systems have a lot in common. Can you "translate" between Windows and Mac equivalents?
Average, 10 Qns, crisw, Oct 09 20
Average
crisw gold member
Oct 09 20
3244 plays
9.
  Jokes That the C Shell Told Me    
Multiple Choice
 15 Qns
The Unix C Shell (CSH) was developed by the famous Bill Joy. This quiz is a joyful one indeed. Knowledge of CSH is NOT a pre-requisite. Sit back and prepare yourself for a good laugh from the erratic responses CSH can produce, a Unix folklore by now.
Difficult, 15 Qns, gentlegiant17, Jan 18 12
Difficult
gentlegiant17
1118 plays
10.
  Open Windows    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Some general questions about Windows Operating Systems.
Tough, 10 Qns, paulbrec, Jun 27 20
Tough
paulbrec
Jun 27 20
2706 plays
trivia question Quick Question
On a Mac, it's the Trash. In Windows, it's the...

From Quiz "Can You Operate Bilingually?"




11.
  Take the Shortcut    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Keyboards let you do more than just type words on your computer screen. There are many shortcuts and combinations you can use on a keyboard to quickly complete different tasks. These questions are based on Windows XP. Have fun!
Average, 10 Qns, vhebert411, Dec 11 19
Average
vhebert411
Dec 11 19
604 plays
12.
  Do you Think you Know Windows Vista?    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
This quiz is about the features and even the problems with Microsoft's operating system, Windows Vista.
Tough, 10 Qns, VmKid, Feb 03 13
Tough
VmKid
1047 plays
13.
  Unix Is Unique    
Multiple Choice
 10 Qns
Unix is an operating system manufactured by AT&T. Its other versions are Linux, Solaris, and others. This quiz is about Unix commands, the Unix file system, and Unix in general.
Average, 10 Qns, ebanks120, Mar 29 22
Average
ebanks120 gold member
Mar 29 22
233 plays

Operating Systems Trivia Questions
1. One of the first versions of Unix came from which university?

From Quiz Unix Is Unique

Answer: UC Berkeley

UC Berkeley, short for the University of California in Berkeley, is home to the Golden Bears. Its version of Unix is known as the Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD). It was released in 1977 and discontinued in 1995.

2. Who were the two people that launched/created GNU and Linux, respectively?

From Quiz GNU/Linux Distros

Answer: Richard Stallman and Linus Torvalds

Richard Stallman is known for heading up the Free Software Foundation as well as launching the well-known GNU Project. Linus Torvalds created the Linux kernel in the early '90s and in the early 21st century his creation can be found in the majority of tech products---dominating most markets except the desktop computer.

3. Here you can see a list of installed software; you can also modify or uninstall applications.

From Quiz We All Have (Windows) Control Issues

Answer: Programs and Features

You can also install programs and turn Windows features on or off from here. In Windows XP, this option was known as Add/Remove Programs. It also used to allow you the option to install programs through this panel; this option would allow Windows to control modifications or removal of the program better.

4. What key would you press if you wanted your current web page to refresh?

From Quiz Take the Shortcut

Answer: F5

Not only can you use F5 to refresh a web page, you can use it to refresh any active window on your desktop.

5. The codename for Windows Vista was what?

From Quiz Do you Think you Know Windows Vista?

Answer: Longhorn

Vista's codename, believe it or not, was Longhorn. NXT is the name of a robotics kit made by the LEGO group. The name Vista was announced on July 22, 2005, along with the rest of the system.

6. The standard Unix command for removing a file or a directory is "rm". Assuming that your current working directory does not have a file named "God", how will CSH respond to you issuing the command "rm God"?

From Quiz Jokes That the C Shell Told Me

Answer: rm: God non-existent

An unexpected theological statement from a mere piece of software! The C Shell (CSH hereafter) was first introduced by BSD (Berkeley Software Distribution) in 1979. A shell is a command line interpreter which presents its user with an easy-to-learn easy-to-use interface with the underlying Unix kernel. Important to note that all the "jokes" I am presenting in this quiz have been successfully tested on the CSH which is included in the HPUX11 distribution. In other words, although it may not always seem so, these are for real. Most should work on most other distributions, but given the diverse nature of Unix (and Linux) I cannot guarantee a 100% success.

7. In Windows XP or Windows 7, what does "Ctrl+Esc" do if I am at the desktop?

From Quiz Keyboard Commands

Answer: Shows the Start Menu

Although it is possible to shut down the computer or log off from the Start Menu, this command does not directly perform those actions.

8. Which Windows system was the first to incoporate the System Restore?

From Quiz Open Windows

Answer: ME

System Restore was first introduced in Windows ME. System Restore allows you to set your computer back to an earlier date without deleting anything.

9. According to Microsoft, what does the 'XP' in Windows XP stand for?

From Quiz Windows XP

Answer: eXPerience

Microsoft is building on their experience with the Windows 9x family and the Windows NT/2000 operating systems. Windows XP combines the ease of use of Win9x with the stability, security and strength of NT/2000. According to everyone else, any of the other definitions can apply.

10. How much is it going to cost me to get a standard version of Linux as my operating system?

From Quiz Linux

Answer: Nothing at all.

Linux is an open-source programme. Many nice people spent their own time and money developing it. You can download it free of charge on www.linux.org, and contribute to the project if you feel like it. Some versions of Linux do cost money.

11. Windows mice have two buttons, Mac mice have only one. On the Mac , what key, when held down while clicking a one-button mouse, performs the same function as clicking the right mouse button on a Windows mouse?

From Quiz Can You Operate Bilingually?

Answer: Control

Control-click on a Mac brings up contextual menus, for example.

12. What is the name of the Debian-based Linux distribution that means "humanity to others" in an ancient African language?

From Quiz GNU/Linux Distros

Answer: Ubuntu

According to Ubuntu Linux's website, 'ubuntu' is an ancient African word meaning, "humanity to others". Simply put, Ubuntu strives to put the user first and in doing so, provide a more user-friendly operating system available free for everyone. Ubuntu is a Debian-based Linux distro that was created by Mark Shuttleworth and launched in 2004.

13. This is where you can adjust settings for your computer's monitor and set up multiple screens. You can adjust settings like screen resolution, signal refresh rate and video hardware acceleration from here.

From Quiz We All Have (Windows) Control Issues

Answer: Display

The Display panel allows you to also connect your computer to a projector and adjust brightness and color. You can also set the screen to magnify so that all the items on it are larger and easier to see; in addition, you can use Display options to add a display and set up how multiple displays will behave together.

14. There are quite a few windows open on your desktop and the clutter is frustrating you. What key combination would you press to minimize all of them at once?

From Quiz Take the Shortcut

Answer: Windows Logo + M

If you want to bring all those minimized windows back up, you would press Windows Logo + Shift + M.

15. Outlook Express, which was used in XP was replaced by which e-mail program?

From Quiz Do you Think you Know Windows Vista?

Answer: Windows Mail

The Outlook Express was given a face-lift, and was renamed as well. Windows Mail comes built in with every Vista system regardless of version.

16. What does "Ctrl+Esc" do?

From Quiz More Keyboard Commands!

Answer: Opens the "Start" Menu

This is strange considering you could just press the Windows Logo Key and do exactly the same thing. I guess this one is for people who prefer the slow route.

17. In most Microsoft programs, what does "Alt+F4" do?

From Quiz Keyboard Commands

Answer: Ends the program

This is often used as a prank on ignorant computer users. For example, if a player on an online game sees another character flying, they might say, "How do you do that?" The flyer would say, "Press 'Alt+F4', thus ending the unsuspecting player's game and irritating him/her.

18. Holding down [SHIFT] while inserting a CD does what?

From Quiz Open Windows

Answer: Turns off Autorun

If you don't want Autorun on, you can turn it off using this method. This works with all Windows systems.

19. Once you have installed Windows XP, how long do you have to activate your copy?

From Quiz Windows XP

Answer: 30 days

Until you have activated Windows XP, an 'Activate' icon will appear in the system tray to remind you. If you haven't activated your copy within 30 days, your operating system will stop working.

20. Who created Linux in the first place?

From Quiz Linux

Answer: Linus Torvalds, at the University of Helsinki (Finland).

Linus Torvalds, a student at the University of Helsinki in Finland, started developing Linux in 1991. It was originally based on Unix, the small cheap version of operating system Multics. The GNU project by the Free Software Foundation was also instrumental in making Linux what it is today.

21. Macintosh computers have an Apple Menu. In pre-OSX systems, this menu contains links to programs, network services, etc. What's the closest Windows equivalent?

From Quiz Can You Operate Bilingually?

Answer: Start menu

The Apple menu is primarily composed of aliases that the user adds. The Windows Start menu is much less customized.

22. Bash is another name for which Unix shell?

From Quiz Unix Is Unique

Answer: the Bourne Again Shell

Bash is an upgrade to the Bourne shell. It was created in 1989 by Brian Fox.

23. What keyboard shortcut would you use to rename a file?

From Quiz Take the Shortcut

Answer: F2

Pressing F2 to rename a file or folder is a lot quicker then right clicking and choosing Rename.

24. What is the name of the original look and feel of most versions of Vista?

From Quiz Do you Think you Know Windows Vista?

Answer: Aero

Aero is the name of the "elegant user experience". Luna is the theme of Windows XP, Vista's "father" system. But I must admit, it does look like glass.

25. CSH is also a witty commentator on the political state of affairs. What is CSH's answer to the following query: "If I had a ( for every unnecessary $ the Government spends, what would I have in hand?"

From Quiz Jokes That the C Shell Told Me

Answer: Too many ('s.

Governments do seem to have the perpetual habit of throwing too much of our money down the drain. Bill Joy called it the C Shell because he made a move towards a syntax which resembles the C programming language.

26. "Ctrl+I" will make text what?

From Quiz More Keyboard Commands!

Answer: Italic

This is useful for typing titles, etc. It also adds emphasis. Some fonts lack an italic version.

27. In most Microsoft programs, "F1" does what?

From Quiz Keyboard Commands

Answer: Shows help

This is used in almost every Microsoft program I can think of. This is probably because it is easy to remember for new computer users.

28. Pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL and then "K" on a Windows terminal does what?

From Quiz Open Windows

Answer: Locks the terminal

This key combination brings up an option window. Pressing "K" will then lock the terminal, but will still allow applications to run in the background. Only your user ID or an administator's ID can unlock the terminal.

29. What types of file systems are available with Windows XP?

From Quiz Windows XP

Answer: Both of them

NTFS (New Technology File System) provides better security and allows for auditing, but if you are running a dual boot configuration on one machine, you must install Windows XP with FAT (File Allocation Table) selected.

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Last Updated Dec 21 2024 5:46 AM
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