In basic computer terminology, which of the following is an example of system software rather than application software?

Introduction / Context:
This question examines the difference between system software and application software. System software provides the fundamental platform on which other programs run, while application software helps users perform specific tasks such as drawing, calculating, or writing documents. Identifying operating systems such as Microsoft Windows as system software is a key foundational concept in computer science and general computer awareness exams.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The options include MS Paint, MS Excel, MS Word, and MS Windows.
• MS Paint, MS Excel, and MS Word are well known user programs.
• The question explicitly asks for an example of system software.

Concept / Approach:
System software includes the operating system and related utilities that manage hardware resources, file systems, and basic input output. Application software consists of programs that run on top of the operating system to perform user centric tasks. Hence, among the options, the operating system Microsoft Windows should be classified as system software, while the others are applications that depend on the operating system to function.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Consider MS Paint. It is a drawing and image editing program used to create simple graphics. It runs under Windows and therefore is application software. Step 2: Consider MS Excel. It is a spreadsheet program used for calculations, charts, and data analysis, and again runs on top of the operating system, so it is application software. Step 3: Consider MS Word. It is a word processor used for documents and reports and is another classic example of application software. Step 4: Consider MS Windows. It manages hardware, memory, CPU scheduling, files, and system resources and provides a platform for all the above applications to run, which makes it system software.

Verification / Alternative check:
One quick test is to ask whether the software is required for the computer to start and whether other programs depend on it. You cannot normally run MS Word, Excel, or Paint without an operating system, but once Windows is installed, you can install and run many different applications. This dependence direction confirms that Windows is system software and the others are application software.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
MS Paint: This is wrong because it is a simple graphic application that lets users draw and edit images. It does not control hardware or manage system resources.
MS Excel: This is wrong because it is a spreadsheet application for data analysis, which uses the services of the operating system instead of providing them.
MS Word: This is wrong because it is a word processing application designed for document creation and relies on the operating system for basic tasks like file handling and printing.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to assume that any Microsoft branded program is system software. Another pitfall is to ignore the functional role and simply look at popularity. Students sometimes think that because Word and Excel are widely used, they must be more important than the operating system, but importance is not the same as classification. System software is defined by its role as a platform for other programs.

Final Answer:
The example of system software among the given options is MS Windows operating system.