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Utility software is software that supports managing the computer infrastructure including computer hardware, system software and application software. Utility software provides for performing tasks as a system administrator (that is, as a user acting in that role). In contrast, application software provides for performing tasks as an end user.

A utility may be a distinct program, or multiple utilities are implemented in a single program. For example, BusyBox implements many utilities in a single program. Commonly, a utility provides a command-line interface, but some provide a graphical user interface.

Although an operating system (OS) installation usually includes utilities (which are considered part of the OS), users often install additional utilities.^[1]^[2] The additional utilities may provide a better user experience or additional functionality.

Often, a user must be authorized for elevated privileges to use a utility since it may affect other users of the system.^[3]

Taxonomy

This section is a taxonomy of kinds of utilities.

System management

Antivirus: Protects the host system from computer viruses.
Clipboard manager: Expands clipboard functionality.
Computer access control: Grants or denies requests for access to system resources.
Debugger: Provides for programming-level control of program execution including the examination and modification of program data.
Diagnostic: Determines and reports the operational status of computer hardware and software. For example, a memory tester.
Network: Analyzes the host system's network connectivity, configures network settings, reports data transfer and log events.
Package manager: Configures, installs and updates software on the host system.
Registry cleaner: Removes registry keys that are no longer in use from the Windows Registry. Microsoft does not support the use of registry cleaners.^[4]
System monitor: Monitors resources and performance of the host system.
System profiler: Reports information about installed software and hardware.

Storage device management

Backup: Copies data from a storage device for the purpose of recovering from data loss due to events such as disk failure, file corruption or accidental deletion.
Disk checker: Checks a disk for problems.
Disk cloning: Duplicates the content of a disk.
Disk compression: Transparently compress/uncompress the content of a disk, increasing the capacity of the disk.
Disk defragmenter: Reorganizes the data of each file so that it is stored contiguously.
Disk formatter: Writes to a disk so that it can be used for a particular format. Can prepare a disk for initial use or erase the entire disk.
Disk partitioner: Divides an disk into multiple logical drives, each with its own file system which can be mounted by the operating system.
Disk space analyzer: Visualizes disk space use for each file and directory.
Tape initializer: Writes a label to a magnetic tape or other magnetic medium.^[5]
Undelete: Supports recovering files that were deleted.

File management

Archiver: Outputs a stream or a single file when provided with a directory or a set of files. Archive suites may include compression and encryption capabilities. Some archive utilities have a separate un-archive utility for the reverse operation. One nearly universal type of archive file format is the zip file.
Cryptographic: Encrypts and decrypts streams and files.
Data compression: Outputs a shorter stream or a smaller file when provided with a stream or file.
Data conversion: Transforms data from a source file to some other format, such as from a text file to a PDF document.
Data recovery: Recovers data from corrupted files.
Data synchronization: Establishes consistency among data from a source to a target data storage and vice versa.
Disk cleaner: Deletes files that are unnecessary to computer operation, or take up considerable amounts of space.
File comparison: Reports differences between files.
File manager: Provides an interface for performing file management tasks such as deleting, renaming, cataloging, moving, copying, merging, setting file access, creating and modifying directories.
File synchronization: Maintains consistency between two storages for various purposes including redundancy and backup.
Revision control: Manages revisions of files.

Miscellaneous

Data generator: Creates a file of test data according to specified patterns. For example, IEBDG.
Hex editor: Allows for editing the data of a file without regard its format.
HTML checker: Validates HTML code and checks links.
Installation or setup: Initializes or configures programs, usually applications programs, for use in a specific computer environment. An uninstaller does the opposite.
Macro recorder: Permits use of keyboard macros in programs that do not natively support such a feature.
Patching: Modifies files, especially object programs when program source is unavailable.
Screensaver: Controls the host monitor with the intention of preventing phosphor burn-in on CRT and plasma monitors.
Sort/Merge program: Arranges records (usually lines) of a file into a specified sequence.

References

↑ "Non-Opec (advertisement)". Computerworld. Sep 3, 1979. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
↑ Mendelson, Edward (June 8, 1999). "Fix What Ails Your PC". PC Magazine. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
↑ "Linux ifconfig command". Computer Hope. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
↑ "Microsoft support policy for the use of registry cleaning utilities". Microsoft Support. Microsoft. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
↑ Initializers for DECtape format the tape into blocks.

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