A program that supports using the computer, an application or a development environment. Also called "utilities," utility software is programmed like any other software, except that it plays a supporting role. Usually relatively small programs, they typically perform a limited number of tasks.
Utility programs include file management (creating, moving and renaming folders, copying and deleting files), file search, comparing file contents as well as performing diagnostic routines to check performance and current health of the hardware.
Custom Utilities
Utilities that support a development environment can perform a myriad of tasks. For example, at the end of each update cycle of this encyclopedia, custom-programmed utilities are run that make sure all "See this term" references and all picture references are valid.
Utility programs include file management (creating, moving and renaming folders, copying and deleting files), file search, comparing file contents as well as performing diagnostic routines to check performance and current health of the hardware.
Custom Utilities
Utilities that support a development environment can perform a myriad of tasks. For example, at the end of each update cycle of this encyclopedia, custom-programmed utilities are run that make sure all "See this term" references and all picture references are valid.
 | Reproduced with permission from Computer Desktop Encyclopedia. Copyright (c) 1981-2009 The Computer Language Company Inc. All rights reserved. |
Additional Resources
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- Find and Run Robot is a program for keyboard maniacs. It helps you rapidly find programs or documents from within the depths of the start menu or other directories. One key press launches the utility, and then just starts typing the first letters of the application you want to launch....
- Software downloads 2009-11-22
- Wise Disk Cleaner 4.83 (Windows)
- Wise Disk Cleaner is a free disk utility designed to help you keep your disk clean by deleting any unnecessary files. Usually, these unnecessary, or junk files appear as a result of program's incomplete uninstalls, or Temporary Internet Files. It is best if these files are wiped out from time...
- Software downloads 2009-11-21
- Michael Dell sticks to Windows 7 big bang theory
- too old?"Windows XP is 8 years old"So What? If it ain't broke don't fix it!Windows 2000 is ten years old and still does almost everything I need. Everyone around me runs XP or newer, yet I have far fewer problems.What is good for the computer industry is not...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-20
- Ultra AutoCAD Tool 2.4.155 (Windows)
- Ultra AutoCAD Tool is an ultra-fast utility program for AutoCAD drawing files. Features include: extract data from drawing files (CSV, XML, HTML) and import to a database or Excel workbook, create DXFs from DWGs, find and replace text, find and replace block attribute values, find and delete text objects, find...
- Software downloads 2009-11-20
- Ute 1.201 (Windows)
- Ute is a compact multi-function utility with Time Syncing, Window Shutdown control, Wave File playing, Delayed or Controlled Running, backup and Wallpaper Changing capabilities. It is a collection of some ACAPsoft utilities with three new functions are also.ã??The iTimeSync function synchronizes your computer clock with an internet time server. You...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- FoxScribe 1.4 (Windows)
- FoxScribe is top CD/DVD burning software designed for Windows. This program fulfills perfectly your needs to do backups and create/read ISO files. Forget about bloated suites with functions you never need nor use. This is a fully featured utility which helps you burn discs simply, efficiently and at high quality...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Boost Machine 1.5.8 (Windows)
- BoostMachine is an all in one downloading optimization utility compatible with all BitTorrent clients; an exceptional tool well thought out to do one thing only: take full advantage of your torrents download speed. How does it do it? BoostMachine offers several advanced features which help you maximize the performance of...
- Software downloads 2009-11-19
- Adding a Wizard to your Magic Mouse
- you're nuts.Multi touch on a laptop trackpad is IMO the single best thing about apple hardware. It is not illogical that this tech should show up in a mouse as well. Clearly, you haven't tried it. It works quite well and there is no "contortion" needed.Dumbest... mouse... everJust because something...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-18
- AntiSpam Sniper Pro 3.3 (Windows)
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- EF CheckSum Manager 5.30 (Windows)
- A file checksum generator and verification utility for the MD5 and SFV formats. EF CheckSum Manager is a program designed for the integrity examination of files on the standard formats SFV and MD5. They can verify existing checksums or create new checksum for your important data. The EF CheckSum Manager...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- FBackup 4.3.170 (Windows)
- FBackup is freeware backup program for Windows. FBackup protects your important files and folders from partial or total loss by automating backup tasks, password protecting and compressing it to save storage space. Using FBackup you can easily backup to any local or network drive or to external drives (such as...
- Software downloads 2009-11-18
- Adding a Wizard to your Magic Mouse
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- Blog posts 2009-11-17
- DTM Data Generator 1.30 (Windows)
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- Software downloads 2009-11-17
- More evidence of the coming collision between home broadband and the smart grid
- Collision?Not the word I would have used.In any event, I think this is a positive and necessary direction to go. In order to manage more diversified, less dependable/consistent sources of energy, the demand side HAS TO be managed. Without it, we are just setting ourselves up for a lot of...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-16
- Easy Disk Drive Safeguard 3.3 (Windows)
- Easy Disk Drive Safeguard is a password-protected security utility that you can use to hide and lock your local, network, Floppy and USB drives as well as disable the AutoRun feature for them. When you hide or lock your drives, they become hidden or unavailable in all Windows software such...
- Software downloads 2009-11-15
- ScummVM 1.0.0 (Mac)
- ScummVM is a program which allows you to run certain classic graphical point-and-click adventure games, provided you already have their data files. The clever part about this: ScummVM just replaces the executables shipped with the games, allowing you to play them on systems for which they were never designed! Some...
- Software downloads 2009-11-15
- Google hit again with Street View privacy concerns - in Switzerland
- It is NOT up to Google to insure your privacy in public places. These are places it is perfectly legal to be in and take pictures of, then publish the pictures. Just because the pictures are taken automatically, does not suddenly make them illegal. If you want to restrict the...
- Discussion threads 2009-11-13
- Lalim Dial-up Password Recovery 1.1 (Windows)
- When you use the dial-up networking module for connecting to the Internet or to other networks, the operating system gives you the option to store the password and use it when it needed. Although the password is constantly stored in your computer, the operating system doesn't allow you to watch...
- Software downloads 2009-11-13
- Lalim MYOB Password Recovery 1.4 (Windows)
- Lalim MYOB Password Recovery is a program to recover lost or forgotten passwords to the MYOB files. All passwords are recovered instantly regardless of length. Versions of MYOB 13 and below are supported. With this utility you can recover your MYOB password fast and easy. It can recovery engine is...
- Software downloads 2009-11-12
- EML Converter for Lotus Notes 1.0 (Windows)
- YellowKea EML Converter for Lotus Notes is an easy to use utility to convert Lotus Notes emails to Outlook Express, Mozilla Thunderbird and Windows Mail - .eml format. The utility also converts .eml format email into Lotus Notes mail. Importing and exporting only take a few mouse clicks. YellowKea EML...
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