Operating System Utility Operating System Utility ProgramsPrograms

& Stand-alone utility & Stand-alone utility ProgramsPrograms

Utility ProgramUtility Program

• Type of system software that allows Type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type a user to perform maintenance-type tasks.tasks.

• Also called a Also called a utilityutility

•Most operating systems include several built-in utility programs

Utilities ProgramUtilities Program

Utility programs included with Utility programs included with operating systemoperating system

• Functions:Functions:– Managing filesManaging files– Viewing imagesViewing images– Securing a computer from unauthorized accessSecuring a computer from unauthorized access– Uninstalling programsUninstalling programs– Scanning disksScanning disks– Defragmenting disksDefragmenting disks– Diagnosing problemsDiagnosing problems– Backing up files and disksBacking up files and disks– Setting up screen saversSetting up screen savers

File ManagerFile Manager

• Utility that performs Utility that performs functions related to file functions related to file and disk management.and disk management.– Formatting and copying Formatting and copying

disksdisks– Displaying a list of files Displaying a list of files

on a storage mediumon a storage medium– Checking the amount of Checking the amount of

used or free space on a used or free space on a storage mediumstorage medium

– Organizing, copying, Organizing, copying, renaming, deleting, renaming, deleting, moving, and sorting filesmoving, and sorting files

– Creating Creating shortcutsshortcuts

Shortcuts Shortcuts

• An icon on the An icon on the desktop that desktop that provides a user provides a user with immediate with immediate access to a access to a program or file.program or file.

Formatting a diskFormatting a disk

• Process of preparing a disk for Process of preparing a disk for reading and writing.reading and writing.

Image ViewerImage Viewer

• Utility that Utility that allows users to allows users to display, copy, display, copy, and print the and print the content of a content of a graphics file.graphics file.

Personal FirewallPersonal Firewall

• Utility that detects Utility that detects and protects a and protects a personal computer personal computer from unauthorized from unauthorized intrusions.intrusions.

• Constantly monitor Constantly monitor all transmissions to all transmissions to and from a and from a computer.computer.

UninstallerUninstaller

• Utility that Utility that removes a removes a program, as well program, as well as any as any associated associated entries in the entries in the system files.system files.

Disk ScannerDisk Scanner

• Utility thatUtility that1.1. Detects and Detects and

corrects both corrects both physical and physical and logical problems logical problems on a hard diskon a hard disk

2.2. Searches for Searches for and removes and removes unnecessary unnecessary files.files.

Disk DefragmenterDisk Defragmenter

• Utility that Utility that reorganizes the files reorganizes the files and unused space on and unused space on a computer’s hard a computer’s hard disk so the operating disk so the operating system accesses system accesses data more quickly data more quickly and programs run and programs run faster.faster.

Diagnostic UtilityDiagnostic Utility

• Compiles technical Compiles technical information about your information about your computer’s hardware and computer’s hardware and certain system software certain system software programs and then prepares a programs and then prepares a report outlining any identified report outlining any identified problems.problems.

Backup utilityBackup utility

• Allows users to copy, or Allows users to copy, or back up back up , selected files , selected files or an entire hard disk or an entire hard disk to another storage to another storage medium such as CD, medium such as CD, DVD, external hard DVD, external hard disk, tape, or USB flash disk, tape, or USB flash drive.drive.

• Backup utilities include Backup utilities include restore programs. restore programs.

Screen SaverScreen Saver

• Utility that causes a Utility that causes a display device’s display device’s screen to show a screen to show a moving image or moving image or blank screen if no blank screen if no keyboard or mouse keyboard or mouse activity occurs for a activity occurs for a specified time.specified time.

• Are popular for Are popular for security, business, security, business, and entertainment and entertainment purposes.purposes.

STAND-ALONE utility STAND-ALONE utility programsprograms

• Antivirus programsAntivirus programs– McAfee ViruscanMcAfee Viruscan– Norton AntiVirus Norton AntiVirus

• Spyware removersSpyware removers– Spyware Spyware

•A programA program placed on a computer without the placed on a computer without the user’s knowledge that secretly collects user’s knowledge that secretly collects information about the user.information about the user.

STAND-ALONE utility STAND-ALONE utility programsprograms• Internet FiltersInternet Filters

– Anti-spam programsAnti-spam programs– Web filtersWeb filters– Pop-up blockersPop-up blockers

• File ConversionFile Conversion• File compressionFile compression• CD/DVD burningCD/DVD burning• Personal computer maintenancePersonal computer maintenance

– Norton SystemWorksNorton SystemWorks