SYSTEM SOFTWARE - UTILITIES

 -Specialized programs designed to make computing easier.

-       -   The most essential are :

i.)                  Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs ( recognize and correct problems,ideally before they become serious,e.g. Figure 1)

ii.)                Antivirus programs ( guard computer system against viruses or other damaging problems that can invade computer system.)

iii.)              Uninstall programs ( allow to safely and completely remove unneeded programs and related files from hard disk, Figure 2)

iv.)              Backup programs ( copies of files to be used in case the originals are lost or damaged.)

v.)                File compression programs ( reduce the size of files so they require less storage space and can be sent more efficiently over the Internet.) 

                  Figure 1 : Troubleshooting or diagnostic programs

                                    

                               Figure 2 : Uninstall programs

Windows Utilities

The Windows operating systems are accompanied by several utility programs, including :

i.)                  Backup Status and Configuration

ii.)                Disk Cleanup

iii.)              Disk Defragmenter

Figure : Aceessing Windows Vista utilities

i.)                  Backup Status and Configuration

- a utility program included with the many versions of Windows that makes a

copy of all files or selected files that have been saved onto a disk.

                  - helps prevent against disk failure.

                  - Example : Select Backup Status and Configuration from the Windows Vista

                                    System Tools menu to create a backup for hard disk.

First      : Click Start,then select Accessories from the All Programs menu, after

                that select Backup Status and Configuration from the System Tools

                menu.

Second : Select Setup automatic file backup and run the Backup File Wizard,then

               choose Backup and choose the files you want to include,and also choose

               the destination for the backup after that.

Third    : Finish the Backup or Restore Wizard to backup the selected drive then

               just close the Backup Progress window or view the report.

ii.)                  Disk Cleanup

- an identifies and eliminates nonessential files.

- frees up valuable disk space and improves system performance.

- Example : by selecting Disk Cleanup from the Windows Vista System Tools

                    menu, you can eliminate unneeded files on your hard disk.

                                           Figure : Disk Cleanup utility

iii.)                Disk Defragmenter

- identifies and eliminates unnecessary fragments.

- rearranges files and unused disk space to optimize operations.

- speeds up file access.

- Example : by selecting Disk Defragmenter from the Windows Vista System

                    Tool menu,you can defrag your hard disk.

First      : Click Start, then select Accessories from the All Programs menu,

                Select Disk Defragmenter from the System Tools menus. If

                necessary, click Continue.

Second  : Click the Defragment now button to begin defragging, if necessary,

                choose the drive you want to defragment. When defragmentation

                is complete for the selected drive, view the report or close the

                window.

                            ( the time for class..................................everyone......................haha........)