Utility programs, also known as service programs, perform maintenance-type tasks related to the managing of a computer, its devices, or its programs.
They enhance existing functions or provide services not supplied by other system software programs. Most computers come with built-in utilities as part of the system software. However they may also be bought separately as external utility programs such as Norton SystemWorks and McAfee Utilities.
FILE MANAGER
File manager performs tasks of formatting and copying disks, displaying a list of files on a storage medium, checking the amount of used or free space on a storage medium, organising, copying, renaming, deleting, moving and sorting files and also creating shortcuts.
DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY
A diagnostic utility compiles technical information about a computer's hardware and certain system software programs and then prepares a report outlining any identified problems.Information in the report assists technical support staff in remedying any problems.
DISK DEFRAGMENTER
The process of defragmentation is the reorganising of the disk so the files are stored in contiguous sectors. A fragmented disk has many files stored in non-contiguous sectors. Defragmenting reorganises the files so they are located in contiguous sectors, which speeds access time.
SMALL UTILITY PROGRAMS
An image viewer displays, copies and prints the contents of a graphics file.
A personal firewall detects and protects computer from unauthorised intrusions.
An uninstaller removes a program and any associated entries in the system files.
A screen saver displays a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or mouse activity occurs for a specified time.
TYPES OF UTILITY PROGRAMS
BACKUP UTILITY
Backup utility allows users to copy or back up, selected files or an entire hard disk to another storage medium.
An example of a backup utility program is Norton Ghost from Symantec.
DATA RECOVERY
A data recovery utility is used to restore the data that has been physically damage or corrupted. Data can be damaged by viruses, bad software, hardware failure and power fluctuations that occur while data is being written or recorded.
VIRUS PROTECTION
It is essential that you install antivirus software.Some utilities destroy the virus on the spot. Others notify you of a possible viral behavior. Examples of antivirus software are Norton Antivirus and McAfee’s VirusScan.
DATA COMPRESSION
Compressed files are sometimes called zipped files because they usually have a .ZIP extension. A compressed file must be unzipped or restored to its original form before being used. Two popular file compression utilities are PKZIP and WinZip.
DISK SCANNER AND DISK CLEANUP
These utilities detect and correct certain types of common problems on hard disks and floppies and search for and remove unnecessary files, such as temporary files or “ temp files”.
Both windows and the applications you run create temp files needed only for a small tasks and system restore after certain types of system problems. These files are stores in the Temp folder.
