Utility software

Utility software is software that supports managing the computer infrastructure including computer hardware, system software and application software. Utility software provides for performing tasks as a system administrator (that is, as a user acting in that role). In contrast, application software provides for performing tasks as an end user.

A utility is software that can be classified as utility software. Often a utility is a distinct program, but sometimes multiple utilities are implemented in a single program. For example, BusyBox implements many utilities in a single program. Commonly, a utility provides a command-line interface, but some provide a graphical user interface.

Although an operating system (OS) installation usually includes utilities (which are considered part of the OS), users often install additional utilities. The additional utilities may provide a better user experience or additional functionality.

Often, a user must be authorized for elevated privileges to use a utility since it may affect other users of the system.

Taxonomy

This section is a taxonomy of kinds of utilities.

System management

Antivirus software

Protects the host system from computer viruses.

Clipboard manager

Expands clipboard functionality.

Computer access control utility

Grants or denies requests for access to system resources.

Debugger

Provides for programming-level control of program execution including the examination and modification of program data.

Diagnostic program

Determines and reports the operational status of computer hardware and software. For example, a memory tester.

Network utility

Analyzes the host system's network connectivity, configures network settings, reports data transfer and log events.

Package manager

Configures, installs and updates software on the host system.

Registry cleaner

Cleans and optimizes the Windows Registry by removing old registry keys that are no longer in use.

System monitor

Monitors resources and performance of the host system.

System profiler

Reports information about installed software and hardware.

Storage device management

Backup software

Copies data from a storage device for the purpose of recovering from data loss due to events such as disk failure, file corruption or accidental deletion.

Disk checker

Checks a disk for problems.

Disk cloning

Duplicates the content of a disk.

Disk compression utility

Transparently, compress/uncompress the content of a disk; increasing the capacity of the disk.

Disk defragmenter

Reorganizes the data of each file so that it is stored contiguously.

Disk formatter

Writes to a disk so that it can be used for a particular format. Can prepare a disk for initial use or erase the entire disk.

Disk partitioner

Divides an disk into multiple logical drives, each with its own file system which can be mounted by the operating system.

Disk space analyzer

Visualizes disk space use for each file and directory.

Tape initializer

Writes a label to a magnetic tape or other magnetic medium.

Undelete utility

Supports recovering files that were deleted.

File management

• Archivers output a stream or a single file when provided with a directory or a set of files. Archive suites may include compression and encryption capabilities. Some archive utilities have a separate un-archive utility for the reverse operation. One nearly universal type of archive file format is the zip file.
• Cryptographic utilities encrypt and decrypt streams and files.
• Data compression utilities output a shorter stream or a smaller file when provided with a stream or file.
• Data conversion utilities transform data from a source file to some other format, such as from a text file to a PDF document.
• Data recovery utilities are used to rescue good data from corrupted files.
• Data synchronization utilities establish consistency among data from a source to a target data storage and vice versa. There are several branches of this type of utility:
  • File synchronization utilities maintain consistency between two sources. They may be used to create redundancy or backup copies but are also used to help users carry their digital music, photos and video in their mobile devices.
  • Revision control utilities can recreate a coherent structure where multiple users simultaneously modify the same file.
• Disk cleaners find files that are unnecessary to computer operation, or take up considerable amounts of space.
• File comparison utilities provide a standalone capability to detect differences between files.
• File managers provide a convenient method of performing routine data management, email recovery and management tasks, such as deleting, renaming, cataloging, uncataloging, moving, copying, merging, setting write protection status, setting file access permissions, generating and modifying folders and data sets.

Miscellaneous

• Data generators (e.g. IEBDG) create a file of test data according to specified patterns.
• Hex (or octal) editors directly modify the text or data of a file without regard to file format. These files can be data or programs.
• HTML checkers validate HTML code and check links.
• Installation or setup utilities are used to initialize or configure programs, usually applications programs, for use in a specific computer environment. There are also Uninstallers.
• Patching utilities perform alterations of files, especially object programs when program source is unavailable.
• Screensavers prevent phosphor burn-in on CRT and plasma computer monitors.
• Sort/Merge programs arrange records (lines) of a file into a specified sequence.
• Standalone macro recorders permit use of keyboard macros in programs that do not natively support such a feature.

See also

• Batch file
• kdeutils
• List of DOS commands
• List of macOS built-in apps
• List of POSIX commands
• Shell script
• Support programs for OS/360 and successors
• System software