A system software component that is external to the operating system kernel. If the phrase is used to refer to the operating system itself, it is redundant because an operating system "is" software.

An operating system is the essential software that's needed to run your computer's suite of software. Everything from video ...

Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. I track enterprise software application development & data management. Your computer has an operating system, or OS. You may be ...

The computer's master control program. When a computer is turned on, a small "boot program" loads the operating system. Although additional system modules may be loaded as needed, the main part, known ...