guest OS

A guest OS, or operating system, is the software environment running inside a virtual machine or container on a physical computer. Think of it as an independent computer within another computer, allowing multiple operating systems—like Windows, Linux, or others—to operate simultaneously on a single physical machine. This setup enables users to run different software environments, test applications, or isolate tasks securely, all without needing separate physical devices. The host OS manages the hardware, while the guest OS runs as if it were on a standalone computer, sharing resources efficiently and securely.