Utility Software

Gyaneshwar Bohara
Utility programs
• A utility program is a type of system software that performs a specific
task, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its
programs
• Programs used to merge and sort sets of data, keep track of computer
jobs being run, compress files of data before they are stored or
transmitted over a network, and perform other important tasks
Utility Programs
• Serve as tools for doing system maintenance and repairs not handled
by operating system
• Utilities make it easier for users to:
• Copy files between storage devices
• Repair damaged data files
• Translate files so different programs can read them
• Guard against viruses and other harmful programs
• Compress files so they take up less space

3
 UTILITY SOFTWARE
• Utility programs, also known as service programs, perform
maintenance-type tasks related to the managing of a computer, its
devices, or its programs.
 TYPES OF UTILITY SOFTWARE
• - FILE MANAGER
- DIAGNOSTIC UTILITY
-DISK DEFRAGMENTER
 FILE MANAGER
• is the software used to manage files on a disk. It provides functions to
delete, copy, move, rename and view files as well as create and
manage folders (directories).
• 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, organizing, copying, renaming, deleting,
moving and sorting files and also creating shortcuts
 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
• reorganizing of the disk so the files are stored in contiguous sectors. A
fragmented disk has many files stored in non-contiguous sectors.
• Defragmenting reorganizes 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 unauthorized
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
Device Drivers, Utilities, and Virus Protection
• Working effectively and efficiently with a computer you will need
these tools:

Operating Device
System Drivers Effectiveness
Increased And
Virus Efficiency
Utilities
Protection

➢SimNet Concepts Support CD: “Utilities”

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Device Drivers
• Device Drivers is software and information that
enables your operating system to establish the
communications between your existing hardware and
your new device
• Device drivers are available for printers, displays, CD-
ROM readers, diskette drives, and so on

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Device Drivers – cont.
• Many device drivers are built into the operating
system that comes with your computer. However, if
you later buy a new type of device that the OS didn’t
anticipate, you will have to install the new device
driver

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Utility Software
• Provides additional functionality
to the operating system
• Example: File Security software to
protect files and folders of
information as well as to enable
you to send secure e-mail
messages

p.4.106 Fig. 4.8

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Anti-Virus Software
• Anti-virus software
continually scans RAM,
storage devices, and
incoming files for viruses
and removes the viruses
• Viruses can be of two
types:
• Benign
• Malignant

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Operating System Utility Programs
• What is a utility program?

✓ System software that performs

maintenance-type tasks
✓ Also called
utility
Operating System Utility Programs
• What is a file manager?

✓ Performs functions such as copying, renaming,

deleting, and moving files
✓ Image viewer
displays contents
of graphics file
when you double
click on it
Operating System Utility Programs
• What is an uninstaller?

Removes a In Windows XP,

program and uninstaller is in Add/Remove
all associated files Programs in Control Panel
Operating System Utility Programs
• What is a disk scanner?

✓ Detects and corrects

problems on hard disk
✓ Searches for and removes
unnecessary files
Stand-Alone Utility Programs
• What is a virus?
➢ Potentially damaging computer program
➢ Affects computer without user’s knowledge

• An unusual message or image is displayed on the

computer screen
SIGNS OF • An unusual sound or music plays randomly
VIRUS • The available memory is less than what should be
INFECTION available
• A program or file suddenly is missing
• An unknown program or file mysteriously appears
• The size of a file changes without explanation
• A file becomes corrupted
• A program or file does not work properly
• System properties change
Stand-Alone Utility Programs
• What is an antivirus program?

✓ Identifies and removes viruses in memory, storage media,

and incoming files
✓ Must be updated frequently
File Management

• File
• Collection of information
• Most of the information you work with is stored in files
• File management
• Keeps track of files
• Helps you manage the files on your computer

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File Naming Conventions
• Filename unique name given to a file of information
• Filename extension further identifies the contents of a file by
specifying the file type. Examples of extensions include:
• Word – doc
• Excel – xls
• Access – mdb
• PowerPoint - ppt

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File Naming Convention
Rules

p.4.110 Fig. Companies

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Organizing Files
• File manager utility software
• Manage and organize files
• Find and copy files
• Move, rename, and delete files
• Identify storage devices with device letters
• Unique identifier for each storage device
What letter is used for the floppy disk drive? The hard disk?

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Identifying Storage Devices with Device Letters

• Device letter is a unique

identifier for each different
storage device on your
computer
• Floppy disk: A:\
• Hard disk: C:\
• Other storage devices will be
assigned different letters
depending on the computer
and the operating system
used

p.4.111 Fig. 4.12

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Directories and Folders
• Directory
• A list of files on a particular storage device
• Main directory is called the root directory
• Folder
• Special portion of your root directory into which you can
place files that have similar information
• Can have folders within folders
• Called subfolders

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Folder Structure

C:\

Finance
Finance

Finance Finance
3212 4032

p.4.112 Fig. Companies

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Pathname

A:\Finance\Finance 4032\Finance Final Analysis.xls

Folder
Filename
Device letter Subfolder Extension

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File Allocation Tables (FAT)
• File allocation table (FAT) table that an OS maintains on
a hard disk that provides a map of the clusters (basic
units of logical storage on a hard disk) that a file has
been stored in
• When you write a new file to a hard disk, the file is
stored in one or more clusters that are not necessarily
next to each other; they may be rather scattered over
the disk

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File Allocation Tables – Cont
• OS creates a FAT entry for the new file that records
where each cluster is located and their sequential order
• When you read a file, the OS reassembles the file from
clusters and places it as an entire file where it can be
read

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File Fragmentation
• Fragmentation occurs when your computer places
parts of files over many disks areas or clusters
• Fragmentation over time can slow data access
(each fragment of a file must be accessed for the
entire file to be read), the user may use a
defragmentation utility so that the data on the
storage medium can be reorganized – a process
known a defragmentation

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File Compression
• File Compression is the shrinking of a file into a smaller
file
• In order to use a compressed file, it must be
decompressed back to its original size
• The file size is controlled by setting a file compression
ratio. A file compression ratio determines how small
the compressed file will be
• WinZip is a popular Windows program that compresses
and decompresses files

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WinZip Compression Utility

p.4.115 Fig. Companies

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