What Are Some Examples of Utility Software?
Utility software is used to perform basic maintenance tasks on a computer. Examples include disk utilities like defragmenters, compressors and cleaners. There are also operating system utilities such as antivirus programs, registry cleaners and system restoration programs. Internet and network connection is managed by variety of small software utilities, including firewall programs, while program installation and removal is achieved by package managers and installation clients.
Utility software helps the user to control, manage, and maintain a computer’s operating system, hardware and application software. These programs are designed to perform specific functions like finding files, backing up data, playing multimedia files, viewing images and so on. Unlike system software, utility software can be set up, controlled or initiated by the user. Many utility software programs are built into a computer’s operating system.
There are also stand-alone utility programs such as backup utilities and antivirus programs. Typically, these programs come with additional features that help improve the already built-in software. They have to be installed to the computer by the user, and they do not depend on other software packages to function. These programs remove spyware and adware, compress files, burn CDs and DVDs, play media files, convert files from one format to another and do other unglamorous tasks.
