Free Course:

Intro to Operating Systems (OS)

This course provides a foundational understanding of operating systems (OS), covering essential concepts, terminology, and functions that support modern computing environments. Students will explore the critical roles an OS plays in managing hardware and software resources, including process management, memory management, and file systems. Key topics include the definition and purpose of abstraction layers and their application in OS design.

The course will also introduce basic OS types, such as batch, time-sharing, and real-time systems, and highlight their unique characteristics and differences. Students will gain familiarity with essential OS components like the kernel, shell, drivers, utilities, processes, and services. By the end of this course, students will be equipped with the vocabulary and conceptual framework necessary for deeper study in OS architecture and functionality.

About This Course

Key components of the course include:

  • List the functions of an operating system (OS) and explain what they do
  • Define what an abstraction layer is and how it applies to operating systems
  • Explain basic operating system types and characteristics
  • Describe the types of operating systems and their differences
  • Define basic terminology such as kernel, shell, drivers, utilities, processes, and services and how they relate to the operating system

Understanding Operating Systems

  • Functions of a operating systems
  • Types of operating systems
  • Components of an operating system

Learn it Right, Learn it Well, and Reap the Rewards

Spending the time now to fully understand what an operating system is and how it functions can lead to efficiency in studying future topics

Who Should Take this Course:

  • Anyone wanting to get into a career in IT

How to Take This Course!

Option #1 – Watch this course on YouTube. For convenience, I’ve included links to the videos down below

Option #2 – Take this course on Udemy. This is not a free option, but has the advantage of a full learning management system, no commercials, and completion certificates.

Here’s the link to the Udemy Course:

https://www.udemy.com/course/intro-to-operating-systems/?referralCode=71EC35EEED917211C301

Course Content

Module 0 – Welcome and Getting Started

Intro to OS 0-1: Welcome https://youtu.be/Dmhayl8ZjN4 0:0:41
Intro to OS 0-2: Overview https://youtu.be/icpLKXJTlxs 0:02:58

 

Module 1 – What is an Operating System (OS)

Module Intro https://youtu.be/Gz57BpKCmzA 0:01:11
What Is an Operating System https://youtu.be/iUoGNGqZh4w 0:04:37
Abstraction Layer https://youtu.be/WzJk0yJnFgo 0:04:39
Functions of an Operating System https://youtu.be/S1j9XVWa-Gs 0:03:13
OS Functions: Device Management https://youtu.be/8mgnHy6gp50 0:02:15
OS Functions: Disk Management https://youtu.be/5BPHDklu3mc 0:07:43
LAB: Using DiskView N/A
OS Functions: Memory Management https://youtu.be/ifRM6PKHt68 0:04:55
LAB: Using RamMap N/A
OS Functions: Application and Process Management https://youtu.be/XBtnPhuCEvg 0:03:29
LAB: Using Task Manager N/A
OS Functions: Task Management https://youtu.be/TN5FfcQJI_A 0:02:52
LAB: Using Task Scheduler N/A
OS Functions: Access Control https://youtu.be/H7jOa0C6nVk 0:02:25
LAB: Viewing Permissions N/A
OS Interfaces https://youtu.be/xFXJF75DAxM 0:05:18
Using Command Prompt N/A
OS Types https://youtu.be/K1XAawy5R5E 0:06:49
LAB: About My PC N/A
Firmware https://youtu.be/e-yY5wNn6xI 0:06:34
ACT: Firmware Research N/A
Patching and Life Cycle https://youtu.be/LuFc0XyjkMo 0:04:45
CHECK: What Is an Operating System N/A

 

Module 2 – Operating System (OS) Examples

Module Intro https://youtu.be/344vSBzTn7w 0:01:23
Operating System Variants https://youtu.be/CU5DfSZouvM 0:12:02
Windows
Windows Server https://youtu.be/bR7-0wTkUoE 0:06:35
Linux/Unix https://youtu.be/AwSzkU7YdIY 0:06:08
Android https://youtu.be/lZ-YaZARaoY 0:01:57
Chrome OS/Chromium OS https://youtu.be/imnfBrYKmdg 0:02:03
macOS https://youtu.be/U5L5jbtGAUs 0:02:11
iOS https://youtu.be/C3YEGav1Ulk 0:01:47
iPadOS https://youtu.be/tOkm9Z23ykY 0:02:22
FireOS https://youtu.be/EMaereFryi8 0:01:53
Cisco IOS https://youtu.be/gjj_-LuK64o 0:01:56
Microsoft vs Apples vs Linux https://youtu.be/jwXNTJOyvB0 0:12:55
CHECK: Operating System Examples N/A

 

Module 3 – OS Software and Services

Module Intro https://youtu.be/odXCuI8SCLw 0:01:38
The Kernel https://youtu.be/tyNveesBh28 0:04:27
The Shell https://youtu.be/9GkhhOTM57g 0:02:17
Drivers https://youtu.be/GzNIXX9wir8 0:05:27
LAB: Exploring Device Manager N/A
DEMO: Utilities https://youtu.be/RPe04s7PpM8 0:04:07
LAB: Exploring Utilities N/A
DEMO: Applications https://youtu.be/92R1kyTQGws 0:02:13
LAB: Exploring Applications N/A
DEMO: Processes https://youtu.be/t_jvmEY7DMs 0:04:40
LAB: Processes N/A
DEMO: Services https://youtu.be/OA-cPa89ixE 0:03:59
LAB: Services N/A
CHECK: OS Software and Services N/A

 

Module X – Wrap Up

Review https://youtu.be/-ByWiwJf9WA 0:03:23
Course Wrap Up https://youtu.be/ze1VSTWAH5o 0:02:24

 

Help the Effort

Creating these videos takes a lot of time, effort, and money. There are costs to producing the videos, hosting the site, and buying the equipment, not to mention the 1,000’s of hours I’ve put into recording these videos. So far, I’ve asked for and received very little in return. Please consider helping keep the effort going by one of the following: