What is the role of the operating system during the startup process?

During the startup process, the role of the operating system is centered around the activation of the bootloader, which is essential for initiating the boot sequence. The bootloader is a small program that resides in the computer's firmware or on the storage drive and is responsible for loading the operating system into memory.

When the computer powers on, the firmware performs the initial hardware checks (such as POST - Power-On Self-Test) and then it locates the bootloader. Once the bootloader is activated, it starts to load the operating system kernel into memory and hands over control to it. This boot process is critical because without the successful activation of the bootloader, the operating system would not be able to start, and the system would remain inoperable.

While managing computer hardware is vital for the operating system, that comes after the bootloader has done its job of loading the OS. The execution of user applications and loading of all device drivers also occurs post-boot when the operating system is fully operational. Therefore, activating the bootloader represents the very first step in the startup process, making it a crucial function at this stage.