A system may refer to any of the following:

  1. When referring to a computer, system or system unit is used to distinguish the complete computer. See our computer definition for full information about a computer.

  2. When referring to an Apple Macintosh, System is the computer’s operating system, or macOS. System is commonly followed by a number, for example, System 7.

  3. System refers to a window and menu found in Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 that displays a basic overview of your computer. The System window allows users to customize many system settings through System Properties and access Device Manager.

  • For additional information about Macintosh operating systems, see our macOS definition.

Below are examples of how the Windows System window may look.

Press the Windows key+Pause at the same time to open the System window.

Windows 10 System window

Windows 8 System window

Windows 7 System window

  1. When referring to software, system is sometimes used to abbreviate operating system.

System should not be confused with System Information or System Properties.

  1. A help system is any software designed to assist the user with using a product or service. See our help page for further information and other examples of this system.

Apple terms, IS, Macintosh, Operating system terms, System Properties