Install OS

Introduction

An operating system (OS) is system software that

manages computer hardware and software resources and
provides common services for computer programs.

Time-sharing operating systems schedule tasks for

efficient use of the system and may also include
accounting software for cost allocation of processor time,
mass storage, peripherals, and other resources.
For hardware functions such as input and output and
memory allocation, the operating system acts as an
intermediary between programs and the computer
hardware, although the application code is usually
executed directly by the hardware and frequently makes
system calls to an OS function or is interrupted by it.
Operating systems are found on many devices that
contain a computer – from cellular phones and video
game consoles to web servers and supercomputers.
We need to install and update operating systems for
several crucial reasons. First, the OS provides the basic
functions that allow you to interact with your computer
through a user interface. Second, it manages your
computer's resources, ensuring programs get the
memory and processing power they need. Updates are
particularly important because they patch security
vulnerabilities, fix bugs, improve performance, and add
new features that help your computer work better with
modern software and hardware.
INSTALLING EACH
MAJOR OPERATING
SYSTEM
 Windows Installation:

1. Preparation: First, back up all your important data.

Download the Windows installation media creation tool
from Microsoft's website and create a bootable USB
drive (at least 8GB). If you're planning to dual boot, use
Windows' Disk Management to shrink your existing
partition to create space for the new installation.
2. BIOS Setup: Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI
settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Delete during startup).
Change the boot order to prioritize your USB drive and ensure
UEFI boot is enabled for modern installations. Save changes
and exit.

3. Initial Setup: When your computer boots from the USB,

you'll see the Windows Setup screen. Select your language and
region, then click "Install Now." Enter your product key if you
have one or choose "I don't have a product key" to activate
later.
4. Partition Management: At the disk selection screen, you'll
see your available drives and partitions. For a clean installation,
select the target drive and click "Format." For dual-boot, select
the unallocated space you created earlier. Windows will create
necessary partitions automatically.

5. Configuration: Windows will copy files and restart several

times. When it reaches the configuration screens, set up your
network connection, Microsoft account (or choose local account),
privacy settings, and basic preferences. Windows will finish
installing and take you to your new desktop.
MacOS Installation:

1. Preparation: Back up your data using Time

Machine. For a fresh install, create a bootable USB
installer using Terminal and the "createinstallmedia"
command. If your Mac has a T2 security chip,
ensure external boot is allowed in Security Utility.
2. Recovery Mode: Restart your Mac while holding
Command+R to enter Recovery Mode. If you're installing a
different version than what came with your Mac, hold
Option/Alt during startup to select the USB installer.

3. Disk Configuration: Open Disk Utility from Recovery

Mode. For a clean install, select your drive and click
"Erase," choosing APFS for modern Macs or Mac OS
Extended for older systems. For dual boot, use Disk Utility
to partition your drive.
4. Installation: Exit Disk Utility and select "Install
macOS." Choose your target drive and follow the
installation wizard. Your Mac will download necessary files
if you're using Recovery Mode or use the USB if booting
from it.

5. Setup Assistant: After installation completes and your

Mac restarts, the Setup Assistant will guide you through
configuring your Apple ID, enabling iCloud, setting up
Touch ID (if available), and other basic settings.
Linux Installation (Using Ubuntu
as an example):
1. Preparation: Download the Ubuntu ISO file and
create a bootable USB using tools like Rufus
(Windows) or Etcher (cross-platform). Back up your
data and, if dual-booting, defragment your Windows
partition and create unallocated space.
2. Boot Setup: Restart your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI
settings to change boot priority to USB. Disable Secure Boot
if you encounter issues. Some computers require disabling
Fast Boot in Windows for proper dual-boot functionality.

3. Live Environment: Boot from the USB and select "Try

Ubuntu" to test compatibility. When ready, click "Install
Ubuntu." Choose your language and keyboard layout and
select whether to install third-party software for graphics
and Wi-Fi support.
4. Installation Type: Choose between "Install alongside"
(dual-boot), "Erase disk" (clean install), or "Something else"
(manual partitioning). For manual partitioning, create at
minimum: root partition (/), swap space (usually equal to RAM
size), and optionally a separate /home partition.

5. System Setup: Set your timezone, create your user

account and password, and choose whether to encrypt your
home folder. Ubuntu will install and prompt you to restart.
Remove the USB when requested, and your new Linux system
will boot.
After installing a new operating system, there are
several important steps to take to ensure your system
runs smoothly, securely, and efficiently.

The first and most crucial step is updating your system.

When you first install an operating system, it often
contains older software versions from when the
installation image was created. Here's how to update on
different systems:
For Windows: Open Windows Update in Settings and
check for updates. This process might need to be
repeated several times, as some updates require
previous ones to be installed first. Also visit the
optional updates section to find hardware drivers that
might improve your system's performance.
For MacOS: Click the Apple menu and select System
Settings (or System Preferences), then Software Update.
Let your Mac check for and install all available updates.
This might include firmware updates that require a restart.

For Linux: Open your terminal and run 'sudo apt update'
followed by 'sudo apt upgrade' (for Ubuntu/Debian) or
'sudo dnf upgrade' (for Fedora). This updates your
package lists and installs the latest versions of all installed
software.
Driver Installation

Your operating system needs the right drivers to

communicate effectively with your hardware. While
modern operating systems often handle this
automatically, you might need to manually install some
drivers:

For graphics cards: Visit NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel's website

to download the latest drivers for your GPU. This is
especially important for gaming or graphic-intensive
work.
For printers and scanners: Download the latest
drivers from your manufacturer's website rather
than relying on generic drivers.

For other peripherals: Check if your mouse,

keyboard, or other devices need specialized drivers
for full functionality.
Sources:

■ Installing Windows, macOS, and Linux Operating Systems

■ https://claude.ai/chat/955fe59f-3a8f-4503-82bc-741509f6c
8c6
■ Operating system
■ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operating_system