Utility software is that which assists users in controlling or maintaining the operations of their computers, attached devices, or its software, offering features that form an environment conducive to the successful use of application software.
For the most part, utility software supported the computer infrastructure, in contrast to application software, which directly performed tasks to benefit the computer user, but utilities often formed a part of application systems. For example, application programs might include a step that runs a utility to back up the database, or a utility might be used to compress a disk before copying files. Other utility programs protect the computer against viruses.
Most, if not all, operating systems include a set of utility programs that are often considered part of the operating system, but users often install replacement utilities or additional utilities designed to carry out tasks that are beyond the capabilities of the operating system alone.
Utility software is used to configure, optimize, analyze, and maintain the computer, focusing on meeting the needs of the computer rather than the user, except insofar as an efficiently operating computer allows application software to run properly.
Examples of functions performed by utility software include access control, antivirus software, backup services, clipboard management, data compression, data recovery, data synchronization, debugging, defragmentation of file systems, diagnostics, disk cleanup, disk compression, disk partitioning, encryption and decryption of files, file management, network connectivity and configuration, package management, registry cleanup, system monitoring, and many others. Screensavers might also be considered utility software.
The focus of this category and its subcategories is on utility software.
Categories
BackupComputer-Aided TranslationData RecoveryDisk ManagementFile Management | Network UtilitiesPassword ManagementScreensaversSecurity & Antivirus |
Recommended Resources
Based in Philadelphia, Ascentive has been producing PC performance software and services since 1999. Its software includes utilities for PC security, Internet optimization, performance, memory optimization, startup optimization, monitoring, and email approval, as well as a Mac performance program and an Android application, each of which are highlighted here, along with a list of features, prices, and special offers. Its software support services are discussed.
http://www.ascentive.com/
Serving Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms, Auslogics publishes software for computer optimization, Internet speed enhancement, disk and registry maintenance, defragmentation, virus and spyware protection, disk backup, web browser management, and data recovery. Its products include Auslogics BoostSpeed, Driver Updater, Anti-Malware, Disk Defrag, Essential Tools, File Recovery, Bitreplica, Registry Cleaner, Windows Slimmer, Duplicate File Finder, and Registry Defrag.
https://www.auslogics.com/en/
The US-based technology company provides security, networking, and storage products, including protection against email, web surfing, web hackers, and instant messaging threats, such as spam, spyware, trojans, and viruses, while its storage products include web filtering, load balancing, message archiving, firewalls, backup services, and data protection, each of which are featured here, including on-premises options, SaaS products, and other deployments.
https://www.barracuda.com/
Available for Windows, Mac, and Linux systems, BitPim is a free and open-source (GNU General Public License) program designed for the management of content on CDMA devices, including most mobile phones using a Qualcomm-manufactured CDMA chipset. Its site includes a download link from SourceForge, as well as developer documentation, a FAQ, screenshots, and other support data, along with development notes, licensure data, and announcements.
http://www.bitpim.org/
Crikey (Conveniently Repeated Input Key) is a Linux program designed to allow users to assign a key shortcut to a string, for the purpose of storing often-repeated words or phrases, such as usernames or passwords. A one-page manual page is available, along with instructions as to its usage, input options, and similar tools are included, along with a changelog, examples, and other information. A link to where its files can be downloaded or clones on GitHub is included.
http://shallowsky.com/software/crikey/
Compatible with FreeBSD, Linux, and Mac OS X, and distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License, CuteCom is a graphical serial terminal, intended for hardware developers or others who need a terminal to talk to their devices. Its features are listed, along with a screenshot, the requirements for building, and download links to the current stable version of the software and previous versions. Additional information can be found on the SourceForge project page.
http://cutecom.sourceforge.net/
Designed for POSIX and Linux systems, EZFB is a polymorphic, object-oriented Linux frame buffer API written in C, and intended to adapt at runtime to control any properly configured Linux frame buffer video system. It is available as freeware or under the terms of the GNU General Public License, including all of the API code in C and several demonstration applications, such as a bitmap viewer, screen capture utility, and touchscreen calibration. The concept is described.
http://www.akrobiz.com/ezfb/
Compatible with recent Windows versions, Free System Utilities (also known as Freemium) is completely free of charge and designed to help maintain Windows PCs, offering more than twenty tools to optimize OS performance, safety, and comfort, including all of the major functions of well-known utility programs, such as Cleaner, Revo Uninstaller Pro, and Glary Utilities. A list of features, details, and an informational video are presented, and the software may be downloaded from the site.
http://freesystemutilities.com/
The Linux input device utility is used to control applications and devices, based on input events, allowing the use of a joystick to scroll a browser window, or mapping events at the global, or per-application level, allowing devices to behave differently depending on which application the user is using. A full list of its features and capabilities are given, along with a user wiki, and an online user forum. The utility and source are available under the terms of the Apache License.
http://gizmod.sourceforge.net/
Founded in 2002, Glarysoft's flagship product is Glary Utilities, available in free and Pro versions for Windows, the latter of which includes automated, all-in-one PC care services with registry fix, privacy protection, system cleaning, and other tasks, along with more than twenty premium system utilities to improve computer performance, and scan and analysis tools. Several free tools are also available for download. Another purchasable product is a protective tool, Malware Hunter.
https://www.glarysoft.com/
The German company develops hard drive management software, low-level file system drivers, and storage technologies, offering a variety of products for home and business users, including Linux, Mac, Windows, and mobile devices. Its products include Hard Disk Manager Advanced, Mac ToolBox, Microsoft NTFS for Mac, Paragon Firewall for Mac, APFS for Linux, Microsoft exFAT/NTFS for USB, Microsoft NTFS for Linux, and several free applications, which are highlighted here.
https://www.paragon-software.com/
Produced by Sorcim Technologies, Reginout is a suite of system tools for Windows, designed to help users deal with performance issues, such as registry problems, defragmentation, and speed issues. It includes a junk cleaner that will delete temporary contents, MRUs, and recent documents history with one-click, empty the recycle bin and help reduce low storage issues, as well as fixing Internet problems by deleting temporary files, cache contents, saved form data, and cookies.
https://reginout.com/
A member of the Software Freedom Conservancy, Samba has been in operation since 1992, providing file and print services for clients using the SMB/CIFS protocol, which includes all versions of DOS and Windows, OS/2, Linux, and others. Its namesake and flagship product, Samba, is a free software reimplementation of the SMB networking protocol, which can be run on most Unix-like systems, OpenVMS, and the macOS server and client operating systems, and is available under the GPLv3.
https://www.samba.org/
Formed in 1983, CST Inc. focuses on testing software and hardware. SimmTester provides memory testers and diagnostic software, as well as informational articles. Its products include a line of Eureka testers, SP3000, Handler, DocMemory Diagnostic, EZ-SPD, and the Clock Reference Board, as well as software updates and releases, all of which are described here, and made available for purchase. A software update library is included, along with download assistance.
https://www.simmtester.com/
The California-based company specializes in computer and network security applications and services. Its products include a password management solution known as SplashID, a business password manager named TeamsID, and SplashID Key Safe, which secures passwords on a USB key for use on any PC or Mac, with links to each of these product sites. Other resources include a help desk that includes user guides, SplashID Safe articles, and information about other products.
https://www.splashdata.com/
Offering a line of software utilities, Spotmau Corporation has been in business since 2006. Its products include PowerSuite and PowerSuite Golden, offering a variety of software utilities designed to optimize Windows operations, conduct PC health checks, password and privacy functions, disk management, and others. Another product is its Password Kit that retains passwords, product keys, and so on. Details of each and online purchases are available.
http://www.spotmau.com/
Offering a collection of traditional implementations of standard Unix utilities, some derived from original Unix material released as open-source by Caldera and Sun, compatible with System V, although extensions have been added over time. Intended for Unix-like operating systems, the toolchest includes awk, cpio, grep, tar, nroff, troff, dpost, lex, yacc, m4, SCCS, mailx, and the Heirloom Bourne Shell, along with others, which are outlined here.
http://heirloom.sourceforge.net/
Written by Jean-Ioup Gailly and Mark Adler, Zlib is an unobtrusive compression library. Its data format is portable across platforms. Unlike the LZW compression method used in Unix compress, and in the GIF image format, the compression method used in Zlib never expands the data. Support services include a user manual and FAQ, usage examples, technical details, and a Zlib-level mailing list. ZIP file processing bonus software is also available.
http://www.zlib.net/
