Utility Software (OCR A Level Computer Science)
Revision Note
Written by: Callum Davies
Reviewed by: James Woodhouse
Utility Software
What is Utility Software?
Utility software is designed to help analyse, configure, optimise, or maintain a computer
It supports the operating system, which is different to application software that performs tasks that benefit end-users
Utility Software | Purpose | Role | Examples/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Disk Defragmentation | To rearrange the files on a hard drive to increase efficiency | By putting files into contiguous blocks and minimizing empty spaces, disk defragmentation speeds up file access and can improve overall system performance | Modern SSDs generally don't require defragmentation |
File Management | To organize, search, rename, and relocate files stored on the system | Includes creating, deleting, moving, and renaming files and folders | Windows Explorer, macOS Finder |
Device Driver | To provide an interface between the hardware and the operating systems | Ensures that the OS and programs can communicate with the hardware without needing to know the hardware's precise details | The OS usually manages drivers, but users may sometimes need to update them |
System Cleanup | To free up space on the system by removing unnecessary files and data | System cleanup utilities remove temporary files, system cache, unused applications, and other "junk" that can slow down the system | CCleaner, Disk Cleanup on Windows |
Security | To protect the computer system from various threats like viruses, malware, and spyware | Monitors the system and controls the computer's activities to protect it from threats | Norton, McAfee, Windows Defender |
Disk defragmentation process
Worked Example
Operating systems usually come with utility software pre-installed. Give two examples of utility software, explaining the purpose of both.
[4]
Answer:
Example answer that gets full marks:
Disk defragmentation is a utility that will better organise files on the hard disk so that the operating system can access them more efficiently. Better organised files will lead to a smoother operation of the system.
File encryption software enables users to transfer sensitive data files over a network securely. A simple encryption utility will request a password from the user and scramble the file's contents. The file contents will only be reassembled in the correct order if the receiver knows the password.
Acceptable answers you could have given instead:
Disk defragmentation rearranges files on a computer's hard disk to make it run more smoothly. File encryption software lets users send private files safely by scrambling the contents, and only someone with valid permission can unscramble them.
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