What Is A Utility Program

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

A utility program is basically a system software which is used to perform system tasks, such as maintenance of an operating system (system software), analyzing problems and enhancing the computer experience. The traditional Microsoft® Windows operating system comes with default utilities to provide maintenance for the system. Below described to name a few.

Disk Cleanup Wizard

As so the title says, it is a wizard which "cleans" the disk. As time passes when we occasionally use the computer, the hard disk writes and collects data & information continuously, as long as the system is ON.

The hard disk stores temporary files, cache files, and others as some programs or processes make use of them. Some of these cache and temporary files are stored in the hard disk, and not deleted (in order for future use). These files maybe unnecessary and could take up a lot of space by time. In order to prevent this, we can use Disk Cleanup Wizard.

Take note that disk cleanups may not be done frequently, however a monthly basis of maintenance wouldn't hurt!

How to perform a Disk Cleanup?

Click on Start, go to All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and finally then clicking Disk Cleanup.

(Or you could simply just search for Disk Cleanup within the taskbar’s search box)

If you have one or more disk drives, you will be asked to select a drive you want to clean up, as shown below. (We will be using Drive (C:) for this example).

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\Drive Selection - Disk Cleanup.JPG

After selecting the drive, you will be presented with the loading screen. Let the program start up automatically, it’ll take a matter of 1 minute the least.

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\Loading - Disk Cleanup.JPG

The next is where you will get the main screen. In here, you can select different options to clean at once. As in the example picture, "Downloaded Program Files" & "Temporary Internet Files" have been selected by default.

You can however, select the ones you prefer, like the Recycle Bin for an instance.

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\Main - Disk Cleanup.JPG

After finalizing selections, select "OK" to complete the process. That’s how easy it is to use the Disk Cleanup utility.

Disk Defragmenter

A single file may be stored in different tracks and sectors in a hard disk. Such files are normally huge in size. When the system tries to access the specific file, it will collect the "parts/fragments" of the files and then combine all of them once every fragment is retrieved. This process causes the hard disk’s read/write head to move across sectors and tracks, which actually takes time for the R/W head to do, and extra work.

What this utility does is that it indexes the files in place (the parts/fragments are closer together) so that the read/write head will use less time to move around, thus improving execution speed.

A computer storage drive which has never been defragmented is called a fragmented drive, while the files are called fragmented files.

How to perform Disk Defragmentation?

Click on Start, go to All Programs > Accessories > System Tools and finally then clicking Disk Defragmenter.

(Or you could simply just search for Disk Defragmenter within the taskbar’s search box)

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\Disk Defragmenter.JPG

As shown, the Disk Defragmenter screen will load up. You can choose to scan/Analyze any selected disk drive for fragmented files, or – you can directly just select the drive you want to defrag, and click "Defrag Disk/Optimize".

Automatic scheduling is also possible.

Program Uninstallation

This is the most common utility that any user use to uninstall a program. Why do we use this? Easy! We tend to install different programs for specific uses, and sometimes we may end up not using these programs (or accidentally installing 3rd party components like toolbars that we don’t really need) as time passes. Therefore, we can choose to uninstall the program – gaining valuable space for other importance.

Below is the default "Uninstall a Program" window which comes with Microsoft Windows®.

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\Main - Uninstall.JPG

How to uninstall a program?

Click on Start, go to Control Panel and then below the "Program" category, click "Uninstall a program". (See image for the highlighted option).

(If you are out of "category" view in Control Panel, in that case select "Programs and Features")

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\Control Panel - Uninstall a Program.JPG

The uninstallation screen is presented. In here, you’ll be listed with all your installed programs. Select the program that you choose to uninstall and click, "Uninstall".

Please make note that depending the software, there would be other options available, such as "Change/Modify" or "Repair" a program.

Virus Guards

An anti-virus software (or virus guard) is a system software, which blocks undesired actions done by small programs called viruses. In the real world, we use many storage devices to transfer data from computer to computer, not only through physical devices, but through the Internet as well. Basic explaining, billions and millions of information is shared through the public web.

These "small" programs (called viruses) may end up in our storage devices (E.g. Thumb drive) & even in our computer without us knowing. This unlikely event occurs when we don’t have an anti-virus software installed.

What happens when we don’t have a virus guard?

If you do not have a proper virus guard (or no virus guard at all) installed onto your system, your computer will be open to viruses, which are transferred through networks, the Internet, storage mediums, etc. And thus may finally infect your computer.

Different issues that your system will have if infected by a virus

Your computer will get slow

Annoying pop-up windows & Spam bots

Important files being corrupted/infected

Storage space eaten away for no reason

Constant lags

Key Logging (Records every key press. Not ideal when entering personal information like credit card numbers and passwords. Information may be exploited.)

Okay, I understand what will happen when I don’t have a virus guard installed, so what does a virus guard actually do?

A virus guard will basically prevent the above issues from happening, and if in the unfortunate event your computer is already infected with virus/viruses, the utility software will perform full cleaning of your computer, to have it virus free.

How to check/install a virus guard?

Your system will automatically notify you when you don’t have a virus guard installed, or you can always check manually by your programs list (seek keyword "guard", "antivirus" or anything that is related).

There are free virus guards (can be downloaded from the internet) while there are virus guards which you need to pay in order to get it. These can bought online or from retail stores. Below are some examples of free and paid virus guards.

Free Virus Guards

Pay To Get Virus Guards

Microsoft Security Essentials

Kaspersky PURE

AVG AVG AntiVirus FREE

ESET Smart Security

Avira Free Antivirus

Bitdefender Antivirus

avast! Free Antivirus

McAfee AntiVirus Plus

Note that antivirus companies provide different versions of virus guards, for different prices (such as home, business, and enterprise) so be wise and choose which best suits you!

Microsoft® Security Essentials/Windows® Defender

Microsoft® Security Essentials (for Windows® XP/Vista/7) or Windows® Defender (Comes default as an antivirus program in Windows® 8) is the most basic antivirus program you can use. It can be downloaded through Microsoft’s Website (bit.ly/XOEsWf) and installed.

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\Main - Windows Defender.JPG

How to scan for viruses?

Normally an antivirus program does scheduled scans when your computer is on standby, and automatically scans when you try to open a file, download something from the internet, or insert a storage medium. However, if you want to perform a manual scan, you can by opening up the antivirus program interface and choose to scan your system. As above example, you can perform a Quick, Full, or Custom scan.

In order for any virus guard to have full performance, the program must be:

Updated to the latest virus definitions to provide real-time security

Always turned on

Installed onto a system with recommended or minimum requirements

WinRAR – File Compression/Extracting Utility

What is file compression?

Windows® contains a default compressing and extracting function however WinRAR will be used for explanation.

File compression is basically to make a file smaller in size (thus using smaller bits). There are many reasons why we use file compression utilities to compress files, the most common reason is to share files efficiently. Here are some instances where file compression is used.

To make files smaller

An instance: In order to transfer the file via Internet where receiving party has either a slow internet connection or limited bandwidth)

To zip multiple files and make it one

Common when sending web emails. Say for an example you want to send lots of photos to a friend at once. Putting them in one folder and compressing it will allow you to do so.

Data Security

Personal information can be compressed and secured (password verification to access) before sharing so that unauthorized users may not be able to access.

Organization

Files can be properly organized so that fetching for future use takes less time and work.

What is WinRAR?

WinRAR is a file compression utility which allows you to compress files using the .rar file format. However, you can go for common ones such as .zip as well. As being a paid program, it contains more functionalities compared to the default zip/unzip function found in Windows®. The program does not only perform compressing, it also does extraction of compressed files (Such as .zip, .tar, .7zip, .rar).

Note: The default Windows® zip/unzip functionality can only compress to .zip and extract .zip files. It cannot extract or compress .rar, .7zip, or any other file formats!

WinRAR is the most common program used in any machine nowadays. It is not a free program but you can try it for 30 days trial period but then afterwards you’ll need to buy to continue usage. Although here are free utilities that do the same job, for example – 7-Zip.

Below image is the main window of WinRAR.

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\Libaries - WinRAR.JPG

Other (Paid/Free) Utility Programs

Additional to the default utility programs, there are companies which provide free utility programs and paid ones. These programs generally contain more functionalities than the default Windows® utilities. An example basis could be WinRAR as explained above.

These utilities can be called as replacement utilities for the default Windows® programs.

CCleaner

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\cc_64.png

CCleaner is a tool for cleaning any Windows PC. It can be downloaded online for free! What it does is that it cleans temporary files, cache files and Internet Browsing History. It does have more options however (explained below). This can be used as an alternative to Disk Cleanup.

Features

Select to clean all in just one click!

Cleans temporary files, cookies, history, index.dat, Autocomplete form history from Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Opera, etc.

Cleans Windows Recycle Bin, Temporary Files, Logs, Clipboard, Error Reporting, DNS Cache, Memory Dumps, Recent Documents, Jump Lists.

Cleans unused or old/unnecessary registry entries by intelligent scanning.

Defraggler

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\df_64.png

Defraggler is a Disk Defragmentation utility, which enables you to defrag your hard drive. Defraggler can also be downloaded online free of charge. The benefit from using this than the normal Windows® Disk Defragmentation utility is that it allows you to select to defrag individual files/parts, other than the whole hard disk. It is more user friendly and user controllable.

Features

Select to defrag parts of your hard disk instead of the whole – saves time.

Quick defrag initializes quicker defragmentation on larger hard drives.

Organizing files while defragging and prevents further fragmentation.

All In One Utility - TuneUp Utilities

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\TuneUp_Utilities_2011.png

TuneUp Utilities is an award winning utility software which contains everything needed in order to maintain and manage a computer system. Unlike other utility programs, this piece of software contains all of the functionalities (defragmentation, registry cleaning, temporary file/browsing clearance, uninstalling programs). It also has additional functions (which later pointed).

In order to install this software, it is needed to be bought under their official website online (www.tune-up.com/). Below is the basic interface of TuneUp Utilities.

C:\Users\Gavin\Desktop\Images\Interface - TuneUp.JPG

Features

1 Click Automatic Maintenance

Live Optimization of processes and memory

Creating Windows Backups

Uninstall Utility

Registry Cleaning

Browser Clearing

Disk Defragmenting

Disk Cleanup

Automatic detection of computer problems that slow down the system

Startup programs disabler

... And many more. There are other functions as well. They are quite advanced – and so has much more capabilities in system tweaking. This type of software is used by advanced home users, or organizations which needs proper maintenance in their day to day routine.

Software Distributions

There are different types of softwares out there, and most of them are distributed in several ways - some are free to get, some you'll need to pay, and some partially free (some functions of the program are free while the rest you'll need to pay to get it activated).

The most common software distributions are shareware, freeware & public domain (open source) software.

Shareware

Shareware is basically a sample of the full software. They are also called trial software, either time limited or functionality limited. This type of distribution allows users to try out the software before buying/subscribing to see whether they like it first. It is useful as a customer is able to see whether the brand and the product use well suits them. Shareware contains copyright information and patents.

An example of a shareware could be an antivirus program, like Kaspersky. You can download the trial antivirus and use it for 30 days, and once 30 days are over - you come to a point to either buy the antivirus to continue using it or you could choose to neglect purchasing and uninstall instead. These programs where is related to time are called time limited trial. (While features limited trial are limited in features).

Freeware

Well known when you search for programs that are FREE to download and use over the internet. These types of programs come free of charge, no limitations, and no restrictions. They are ready for installation and use. Examples of freeware are utility programs like CCleaner, 7zip, Defraggler and others like free mini-games, free antivirus, etc.

Public Domain (Open Source Software)

Open source software is software where there is no limitations at all, there is no ownership and there is no copyright content, trademarks, or patent laws. Anybody with the knowledge of handling these softwares and their codes can alter the source code for their preference and make changes.

An example of a public domain software would be Linux. Linux is an open source operating system (system software). As for application software, Firefox is a free and open source web browser.

Other examples of public domain software

Apache – Web Server Development

LibreOffice – Alternative office package to Microsoft® Office versions

GIMP – GNU Image Manipulating Program (Alternative to Photoshop: which is shareware)