Best Computer Operating Systems Books of 2025

The tenth edition of "Operating System Concepts" offers a comprehensive exploration of operating systems, integrating contemporary examples and interactive elements to enhance learning. This edition features practical applications, end-of-chapter exercises, and new self-assessment problems, allowing students to gauge their understanding effectively. The inclusion of a Linux virtual machine facilitates hands-on programming experience, making the material more engaging. Overall, this book stands out for its blend of theory and practical application, making it an invaluable resource for students seeking to grasp the complexities of operating systems in a modern context.

Operating Systems: Principles and Practice serves as an essential textbook for undergraduate students embarking on their journey into the world of operating systems. Authored by experienced researchers, this volume focuses on kernels and processes, providing a clear path from high-level concepts to practical coding. With numerous worked examples and a focus on contemporary industry practices, it equips students with the necessary tools to tackle homework and real-world challenges. This book stands out for its comprehensive approach and relevance, making it a valuable resource for both students and educators in the field of computer science.

The third edition of "How Linux Works" by Brian Ward is a must-read for anyone who wants to master the Linux operating system. Ward peels back the layers of the system in a comprehensive yet accessible way, covering topics such as boot loaders, networking, and the kernel. The updated edition includes new chapters on LVM, virtualization, and containers, making it even more relevant in today's tech landscape. The book serves as both an introduction to Linux and a handy reference guide, allowing readers to skip to the sections they need. Overall, "How Linux Works" is an excellent resource for both beginners and experienced users.

The Linux Programming Interface by Michael Kerrisk is an authoritative guide to the Linux and UNIX programming interface. It provides a comprehensive description of over 500 system calls and library functions, accompanied by clear examples. The book covers various topics, including file handling, process management, multithreading, network programming, and interprocess communication. While it emphasizes UNIX standards, its Linux-specific features make it valuable for programmers working on other UNIX platforms. The author's extensive experience in the field and his involvement in the testing and design review of new Linux kernel-userspace interfaces make this book a must-read for any system programmer.

Operating Systems: Internals and Design Principles, now in its 9th Edition, serves as an essential guide for undergraduate students in computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering. Authored by Dr. William Stallings, this textbook covers a wide array of operating systems topics, emphasizing design principles, performance, and security, while integrating real-world case studies from Linux, UNIX, Android, and Windows 10. With its extensive revisions and inclusion of contemporary trends like cloud computing and IoT, this book stands out for its comprehensive support for project integration and its relevance in a rapidly evolving field. It's a valuable resource for students aiming to grasp the complexities of modern operating systems.

"macOS Sequoia For Dummies" by Guy Hart-Davis is a comprehensive guide designed for both new and experienced Mac users looking to navigate the latest macOS features. This user-friendly book covers everything from the basics of Finder and Desktop to advanced topics like data security and troubleshooting common issues. Hart-Davis provides clear instructions and practical tips, making it easy for readers to enhance their computing skills. What sets this guide apart is its balanced approach, catering to all levels of users, while ensuring that even the most complex features are presented in an accessible manner. Overall, it's an invaluable resource for anyone wanting to make the most of their Mac experience.

Systems Performance, 2nd Edition is an excellent resource for professionals who want to learn about systems performance analysis and tuning. Brendan Gregg, a renowned expert in computing performance and cloud computing, covers everything from hardware and kernel internals to sophisticated profiling and tracing with perf, Ftrace, and BPF. The book is particularly useful for those working in cloud, web, and large-scale enterprise environments. Overall, Systems Performance, 2nd Edition is a must-read for anyone interested in optimizing their systems' performance and keeping up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques.

The Design of the UNIX Operating System is a comprehensive guide that describes the internal algorithms and structures of the UNIX operating system and their relationship to the programmer interface. The book is based on UNIX System V Release 2 supported by AT&T, with some features from Release 3. It is an excellent resource for advanced undergraduate or first-year graduate-level courses in operating systems, and it can also be used as a reference for system programmers. Overall, the book is well-written, informative, and a must-have for anyone interested in understanding the inner workings of the UNIX operating system.

Windows 11 For Dummies, 2nd Edition serves as a comprehensive guide for both new users and those upgrading from previous versions. This approachable resource demystifies Windows 11, offering clear instructions on setting up user profiles, connecting to networks, and resolving common issues, all while integrating the latest AI tools to enhance user experience.

Modern Operating Systems, Fourth Edition, is a comprehensive guide for introductory courses in Operating Systems in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, and Electrical Engineering programs. It covers the latest developments in OS technologies and research, making it a valuable reference for professionals. The book's clear and entertaining writing style makes it easy to understand the concepts that every OS designer needs to master. The simulation exercises and lab experiments provide hands-on experience for students. Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their understanding of modern operating systems.