Software utilities are the to keep your computer running and up to date through use of many different software components, below, i outline and state, how these utilities work and what is needed to keep your computer running for longer. Software utilities also often improve the performance of the computer and the different components that are within.
Defragmentation |
Defragmentation is a process of consolidating fragmented files on your computer's hard disk in which it reunites the fragmented data in order to speed up the process in which the data is found and read. It arranges the data packets to be closer together in order for the hard drive to be able to access it faster, instead of the information being spread out in different locations, the data packets are now right next to each other, there for allowing data to be accessed faster. The defrager goes through the hard drive and groups the necessary data packets together allowing for the disk reader to access the data packets quickly and efficiently Some computers now have automatic Defragmentation and there is no need for the user to actually do it as it continuously does so in the background as you save, change, or delete items. |
Disk Clean Up |
Disk cleanup is used in order to delete software or documents in order to free up more space and allow the user to write more data. To go further into depth, It removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items that you no longer need. |
Disk Formatting |
Disk formatting allows the user to partition and erase existing data that is written on the computer or an external device such as a USB. In other words this prepares the storage device for use, by making the USB able to read/write. |
File Transfer |
File transfer simply means the movement of one file to another location. this could be easily demonstrated by moving a document from my downloads into my documents, This could also be something like moving files from your computer HD to a external device such as a USB.
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Firewall |
Firewall acts like the repellent, it only allows the data to be accepted of trusted sources. It protects a network from users from another network and only those who have been given permission can send and receive information. |
Spyware Protection |
spyware protection serves as a malware detector, usually spyware protection usually comes coincided with anti-virus software as part of a all in one system. For example, Norton a famous anti-virus software for mac and windows comes with anti-spyware as part of their free 30 day trial after that you must pay for a yearly subscription.
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Anti-Virus |
Anti-virus’ server as projection from breakins into your computer. Viruses cause serious harm to your computer by injection a line of code and telling the computer to keep multiplying that line of code, this code usually attacks your computers root folders erasing the hard drive or corrupting the operating system where by the computer is rendered useless.
Anti-Virus software try to prevent viruses from entering your computer and if on the off chance they do enter, they find this virus and they destroy it. Anti-virus can be compared to a person's white blood cells that try and fight off illness’, infections and diseases. This means that it is not always certain that the anti-virus software will be able to defeat the virus and on off cases even detect it. |
Systems Information and Diagnostics |
System information and diagnostics is used in order to gain information from the computer (at the users permission). this could be when a software or an app crashes to send a report the the developers in order to help create a patch for this particular crash, in brief words, it is used to market and send crash reports.
It can also enable you to interact with system processes, event logs, and performance counters. ... These tools are used to analyze code for conformance to coding conventions such as naming or security rules |
Automatic Updating |
Automatic updates are used in order to send the user a new version of the operating system that involves patches and fixes, these can be security fixes or this could also be fixing crashes that can occur. These automatic updates are usually at a users request and happen when there is a new version of the OS out ,for example the new IOS system for the iphone (IOS 8) has a new version which is IOS 8.01. Through the use of an operating system there are many updates that are needed most commonly for security purposes. |
Explain how software utilities can improve the performance of computer systems
Software utilities can improve the computer in a wide range of ways, the most prominent way is by increasing performance of the machine, they also improve the way the components run together and allows them to perform to their full potential. A specific utility is 'Defragmentation' which finds all the data that scattered on your hard drive and puts all the data packets together. This basically arranges the information on your hard drive to allow the computer to access your data quicker and easier. This is very useful, as usually data packets of your files are scattered on your hard drive and this finds them and groups them. Most computers now don't need to use the utility as most machines automatically do this to a degree, however for the older machines this is vital.
Defragmentation, speeds up the time that is needed to find the files, this therefore means that you can access the files much faster. Accessing files much faster will improve the overall experience that the user has with the machine. The Defragmentor runs on a scheduled cycle but can also be run manually buy going to 'start' and searching for disk defragmentation. The user cans till use the computer while the disk defragmentation is in process, not only does the disk defragmentation work on the hard drive, you can select an external one too, such as a USB storage device. The one major flaw of the utility is definitely the time in which it takes to complete. If this could be improved it would make the experience a lot better, but it is still a good and useful utility, non the less.
Secondaly, The anti virus is a crucial utility, as the performance of the computer can be severly crippled. Some componants can stop working or the whole hard drive can get whiped, just by a single line of code. The anti virus makes sure that no virus' enter your compute and cause damage to your system. The way the anti virus works is it compares known viruses, worms, and other types of malware to the detected malware on your computer, it then initiates protocals to contain this virus and then to destroy it, but that is not the only way, the anti virus also identifs suspicious behavior from any program which might be infectious for example, some antivirus-software will try to see the beginning of the code of each new program or document, before transferring control to the program. If it sees that there is manipulative code, it will destroy and remove the program. The major flaw of an anti-virus has to be that not all virus or malware is detected, therefore your system is not enterly safe to new virus'. Micro virus' are definantly the most dangerous, however, any anti-virus software would do a good job, but it is not to say that the more expensive brands such as Nortan wouldnt do a better job and offer all round protection and optimise the performance of the computer.
Defragmentation, speeds up the time that is needed to find the files, this therefore means that you can access the files much faster. Accessing files much faster will improve the overall experience that the user has with the machine. The Defragmentor runs on a scheduled cycle but can also be run manually buy going to 'start' and searching for disk defragmentation. The user cans till use the computer while the disk defragmentation is in process, not only does the disk defragmentation work on the hard drive, you can select an external one too, such as a USB storage device. The one major flaw of the utility is definitely the time in which it takes to complete. If this could be improved it would make the experience a lot better, but it is still a good and useful utility, non the less.
Secondaly, The anti virus is a crucial utility, as the performance of the computer can be severly crippled. Some componants can stop working or the whole hard drive can get whiped, just by a single line of code. The anti virus makes sure that no virus' enter your compute and cause damage to your system. The way the anti virus works is it compares known viruses, worms, and other types of malware to the detected malware on your computer, it then initiates protocals to contain this virus and then to destroy it, but that is not the only way, the anti virus also identifs suspicious behavior from any program which might be infectious for example, some antivirus-software will try to see the beginning of the code of each new program or document, before transferring control to the program. If it sees that there is manipulative code, it will destroy and remove the program. The major flaw of an anti-virus has to be that not all virus or malware is detected, therefore your system is not enterly safe to new virus'. Micro virus' are definantly the most dangerous, however, any anti-virus software would do a good job, but it is not to say that the more expensive brands such as Nortan wouldnt do a better job and offer all round protection and optimise the performance of the computer.