Which of the following is an example of system software?

• A. Microsoft Word
• B. Adobe Photoshop
• C. Microsoft Windows
• D. Firefox Browser

Answer: (C)

System software is a type of software designed to provide a platform for other software and manage the hardware of a computer. It directly interacts with computer hardware to perform tasks such as managing memory, processing, and storage.

Microsoft Windows is a clear example of system software because it acts as the operating system that manages computer resources and facilitates communication between the hardware and application software. Operating systems like Windows provide essential functions such as file management, memory management, and process scheduling, which are fundamental for the overall operation of a computer.

On the other hand, the other options represent application software, which are designed for end users to perform specific tasks. Microsoft Word is a word processing application, Adobe Photoshop is a graphics editing application, and the Firefox Browser is used to access the internet. Each of these applications relies on the underlying system software for functioning but does not perform the core tasks associated with managing hardware or system resources.