Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT are examples of which type of system software?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests basic knowledge of system software, specifically Microsoft Windows product names. Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT are well known historical versions of a popular software family. Knowing that they all belong to the category of operating systems is an essential part of computer awareness.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The names Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT are provided.
• All three are widely recognised Microsoft products.
• Options include processors, domain names, modems, operating systems and firewalls.
• We assume familiarity with typical functions of operating systems.

Concept / Approach:
An operating system is the main system software that manages hardware and provides services to application programs. Examples include Microsoft Windows, Linux and macOS. Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT are specific versions of the Windows operating system. Processors are hardware chips, domain names identify websites, modems are communication devices and firewalls are security systems. None of these match the nature of Windows product lines.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that Windows 95, 98 and NT are not physical devices but software products. Step 2: They provide the user interface, manage files, control hardware and run application programs. Step 3: These are the core functions of an operating system. Step 4: Therefore, these products are different versions of the Windows operating system. Step 5: Option d, operating systems, directly matches this understanding. Step 6: Processors are physical hardware components like Intel or AMD chips, not Windows software. Step 7: Domain names are text addresses used on the internet, such as example.com. Step 8: Modems are devices that connect computers to networks and do not provide a graphical user interface or system services. Step 9: Firewalls are security systems that control network traffic and do not manage the overall operation of the computer.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you look at the description of Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT on any historical timeline of operating systems, you will see them listed alongside other operating systems such as Windows XP, Windows 7 and Windows 10. Manuals for these products describe installation of the operating system, configuring system settings and running applications on top of Windows. This makes it clear that they belong to the operating system category and not any of the hardware or network device categories mentioned in other options.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Calling these products processors would confuse software with hardware. Domain names like microsoft.com are very different from product names such as Windows NT. Modems and firewalls are separate hardware or software components used for networking and security but are not the central system software that boots the computer and provides a graphical environment. Hence they do not correctly categorise Windows versions.

Common Pitfalls:
There is not much room for confusion in this question, but some students may misread domain names as domain controllers and briefly think of Windows domain services. The key is to focus on what category the products themselves belong to. Whenever you see Windows followed by a version number or letters, in an exam context it almost always points to an operating system.

Final Answer:
Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows NT are all operating systems.