
Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani
Skills you'll gain: Operating Systems, Operating System Administration, Memory Management, OS Process Management, System Software, System Programming, Command-Line Interface, Linux Administration, File Systems, System Monitoring, Performance Tuning, Package and Software Management, Systems Architecture, File Management, Algorithms, Cloud Platforms, User Accounts, Security Controls, Data Sharing
★ 4.9 (16) · Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Skills you'll gain: Operating System Administration, Package and Software Management, File Systems, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Operating Systems, OS Process Management, Linux Administration, Remote Access Systems, System Monitoring, Command-Line Interface, User Accounts, Systems Administration, System Support, User Provisioning, Technical Support and Services, File Management, Linux Commands, Software Installation, Identity and Access Management
★ 4.7 (30K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Skills you'll gain: File Systems, Operating Systems, OS Process Management, Memory Management, C (Programming Language), File Management, Virtualization, Computer Programming Tools, Data Integrity, Debugging, File I/O, Virtualization and Virtual Machines, System Programming, Systems Design, Data Maintenance, Data Storage Technologies, System Software, Performance Tuning, Distributed Computing, C and C++
★ 4.6 (322) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Skills you'll gain: Operating System Administration, Virtualization, Virtualization and Virtual Machines, Peripheral Devices, Computing Platforms, Hardware Architecture, Computer Hardware, Mac OS, System Configuration, Hardware Troubleshooting, Operating Systems, Technical Support, Linux, Computer Architecture, Disaster Recovery, File Systems, Software Installation, User Accounts, Data Storage, Network Infrastructure
★ 4.7 (2.1K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Skills you'll gain: Data Storage Technologies, Operating Systems, Data Loss Prevention, Generative Model Architectures, Data Maintenance, Disaster Recovery, Vulnerability Management, IT Infrastructure, Cyber Threat Intelligence, Email Security, Productivity Software, Cybersecurity, AI literacy, Computer Architecture, Computing Platforms, Cloud Computing
★ 4.8 (2K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Illinois Tech
Skills you'll gain: Open Source Technology, Linux, Package and Software Management, Shell Script, Linux Administration, Ubuntu, Linux Commands, Microsoft Windows, Unix Shell, User Accounts, Bash (Scripting Language), Command-Line Interface, Linux Servers, Systems Administration, Unix, Operating Systems, Desktop Support, Windows Servers, System Configuration, Security Management
★ 4.6 (162) · Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Illinois Tech
Skills you'll gain: Operating System Administration, Linux Administration, Microsoft Windows, Command-Line Interface, Operating Systems, System Configuration, Event Monitoring, Authorization (Computing), Desktop Support, OS Process Management, Network Security, Package and Software Management, Information Technology, IT Automation, Network Administration, General Networking, Software Installation
★ 4.6 (170) · Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months

Illinois Tech
Skills you'll gain: Virtualization, Virtualization and Virtual Machines, Virtual Machines, Virtual Networking, Data Centers, Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN), Data Storage Technologies, Data Storage, Data Infrastructure, Servers, Virtual Reality, Memory Management, Network Switches, iSCSI Configuration, Remote Access Systems, Computer Hardware
★ 4.6 (16) · Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Skills you'll gain: Bash (Scripting Language), Test Automation, Unit Testing, Development Testing, Test Script Development, Scripting, Unix Shell, Software Testing, Shell Script, File I/O, Linux Commands, Test Driven Development (TDD), Unix Commands, Scripting Languages, Development Environment, Operating Systems, Linux, Command-Line Interface, File Management, OS Process Management
★ 4.7 (6.7K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months

Peking University
Skills you'll gain: File Systems, Operating Systems, Memory Management, OS Process Management, System Software, Computer Systems, File Management, File I/O, Unix, Performance Tuning, Algorithms
★ 4.6 (363) · Intermediate · Course · 3 - 6 Months

Infosec
Skills you'll gain: Penetration Testing, Linux Commands, Command-Line Interface, Security Testing, Linux, Cybersecurity, Vulnerability Scanning, Operating Systems, Exploitation techniques, Microsoft Windows, File Systems, Mac OS
★ 4.6 (100) · Mixed · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks

Skills you'll gain: Operating System Administration, Cloud Computing, Linux, Linux Commands, Linux Administration, Cloud Computing Architecture, Cloud Security, Operating Systems, Windows Servers, Microsoft Windows, File Systems, Systems Administration, Mac OS, Command-Line Interface, Virtual Machines, Firewall, Virtualization, Knowledge of Apple Software, File Management, User Accounts
★ 4.6 (5.7K) · Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Top-rated Operating System courses offered by Illinois Tech on Coursera.
Top-rated beginner-friendly Operating System courses with no prerequisites.
An operating system (OS) is a crucial software component that manages computer hardware and software resources, providing a stable environment for applications to run. It acts as an intermediary between users and the computer hardware, enabling users to interact with the system through a user interface. The importance of operating systems lies in their ability to manage system resources efficiently, ensuring that multiple applications can run simultaneously without conflict. They also provide essential services such as file management, memory management, and process scheduling, making them foundational to both personal and enterprise computing.
Careers in the field of operating systems can be diverse and rewarding. Some potential job roles include Systems Administrator, where you manage and maintain operating systems for organizations; Software Developer, focusing on creating applications that run on various operating systems; and IT Support Specialist, providing assistance with OS-related issues. Additionally, roles such as DevOps Engineer and Cloud Engineer often require a solid understanding of operating systems, especially in environments that utilize virtualization and cloud technologies.
To effectively learn about operating systems, you should focus on several key skills. First, a solid understanding of computer architecture is essential, as it helps you grasp how operating systems interact with hardware. Familiarity with programming languages, particularly C and Python, is also beneficial, as many operating systems are built using these languages. Additionally, knowledge of system administration, networking concepts, and security practices will enhance your ability to work with operating systems in real-world scenarios.
There are many excellent online courses available for learning about operating systems. For a foundational understanding, consider the Operating System Foundations course, which covers essential concepts. If you're interested in Linux, the Linux Operating System: A Complete Linux Guide for Beginners is a great choice. For those looking to specialize, the Introduction to Operating Systems Specialization offers a comprehensive curriculum.
Yes. You can start learning about operating system on Coursera for free in two ways:
If you want to keep learning, earn a certificate in operating system skills, or unlock full course access after the preview or trial, you can upgrade or apply for financial aid.
Typical topics covered in operating system courses include process management, memory management, file systems, and system calls. Students may also explore concepts like concurrency, deadlocks, and security mechanisms. Advanced courses might explore into virtualization, distributed systems, and performance optimization, providing a comprehensive understanding of how operating systems function and their role in modern computing.
To learn about operating systems, start by selecting a course that aligns with your current knowledge level and goals. Begin with foundational courses that cover basic concepts and gradually progress to more advanced topics. Engage with interactive content, participate in discussions, and complete hands-on projects to reinforce your learning. Additionally, practice using different operating systems, such as Linux or Windows, to gain practical experience.
For training and upskilling employees in operating systems, courses like Operating System Virtualization - Bachelor's and Operating System Virtualization - build proficiency in's are highly beneficial. These courses focus on practical applications and advanced concepts, making them suitable for professionals looking to enhance their skills in managing and deploying operating systems in various environments.