Utility isn’t a Holden or Ford – A useful part of Software

A large number of utility programs are available for the service of hardware and software. These are system software and help the user to solve the specific problems related to Hardware or software. Most operating systems include several utility programs but many other utility programs are available on CDs or can be downloaded from the Internet. The most important utility programs are described below.

1. File Viewer

A File Viewer is a utility program that is used to view the contents of files as well as to manage files. For example, Windows operating system has the “Windows Explorer” Utility program. This program is also used to perform various operations on files.

2. File Compression

File compression program is a utility program that is used to shrink the size of file. It reduces the size of file. The compressed file takes up less space on the storage media. The compressed files are also referred to as zipped files. Usually these files have extension ZIP. A single compressed file may have large number of files or folders. Mostly, the files are compressed to send the files with e-mail or to upload the files on the Internet. Through this technique data is transferred from one location to another very easily and quickly.

When you receive or download a compressed file from the Internet then you have to un-compress the zip file. The unzip utility program is used for this purpose. When the zip tile is un-zipped, all the files and folders contained in that file are restored to their original form. The Windows XP operating system has also built-in features to compress as well as unzip files. The other popular utility programs for file compression and un-compression are PKZIP, PKUNZIP, W1NZIP, WINRAR AND POWER ARCHIVER etc.

3. Diagnostic Utility Programs

The diagnostic utility program is used to diagnose the problems about the computer hardware and software These programs trace out the problem and give the suggestion that how to handle the problem. In Windows XP, Dr. Watson is an example of diagnostic utility program.

4. Un-Installer

The un-installer program is used to properly un-install the software from the computer. All related files and folders are removed from the hard disk of your computer. The Windows operating system has built-in utility program that can be used to install as well as to un-install a program or software. This utility program is found in “Control Panel” with icon “Add/Remove programs”. You can also install other “un-installer” utility programs such as McAfee’s un-installer.

5. Disk Scanner
This utility program is used to detect and to remove the physical as well as logical problems on the disk (hard disk or floppy disk). It also removes the unnecessary files such as swap files on the disk. The physical problem on the disk represents the bad sectors or scratches on the surface of disk. The logical problem specifies the problem in accessing data such as error in data file, error in FAT (file allocation table). The Windows operating system has built-in disk scanner called the Scandisk.

6. Disk Defragmenter

This utility program is used to re-organize the files and un-used space on the disk, so that operating system can access data more quickly. When operating system stores data on the disk, it stores the data in the first available sector on the disk. In this case data of a file is stored on disk in a scattered form; it is referred to as “File is fragmented”. The fragmentation slows down the accessing speed of computer. In Defragmentation process, the data of each file is stored in continuous sectors. The Windows operating system has built-in utility program called Disk Defragmenter used for this purpose.

7. Backup Utility

This utility program is used to make the backup of the selected files/folders or entire hard disk on zip disk, tape, floppy disk or CD-R. The backup utility programs also compress the files so that the size of backup files can be reduced. It is a good practice to make the backup of the important data. Your important data may be corrupted due to attack of virus or problem may occurs in the hard disk due to any reason etc. The backed up data may be restored on the hard disk as and when required. The Restore program is used to restore the back up data. The Windows operating system has the built-in Backup utility program.

8. Antivirus
The special programs that are used to detect and remove the viruses from the computer are called anti4irus programs. A large number of anti-virus programs are available: The McAfee and Norton are examples of most popular anti-virus programs. There is no such anti-virus program available which alone can detect all types of viruses.

A good anti-virus program automatically checks for the infected files every time you insert a disk or download files and e-mails from the Internet. It is recommended that you must regularly upgrade anti-virus program in your computer. The latest versions of these programs are available on the Internet and you can upgrade your anti-virus program free of cost. You must visit the site of the manufacturer of the anti-virus (or antiviral) program and follow the procedure to upgrade anti-virus program.

Another most important thing about the anti-virus programs is that these programs not only detect and remove the viruses present inside your computer but also protect the computer from new viruses getting to the computer.