This document discusses several types of utility software and how they can impact system performance. It describes anti-virus software, backup software, disk cleaners, disk defragmenters, drive formatting, firewalls, and internet history software. It explains that utility software like anti-virus, backup, disk cleaner, and disk defragmenter programs can improve performance by removing malware, freeing up storage space, and organizing files efficiently on disks. However, it notes that utilities like internet histories may not improve performance and could reduce it by using storage space. Overall, the document concludes that while some utility software enhances performance, others may limit it depending on how they are used.

1. P3: Explain the purpose of
different software utilities
By George Smith-Moore

2. D1: Explain how software
utilities can improve the
performance of computer
systems
By George Smith-Moore

3. Anti-Virus
• An anti-virus software is what protects/prevents the system from attack.
Attacks would be from a piece of malware, of some kind (worm,Trojan,
virus, botnet attacks, and spyware/adware).
• An anti-virus would also have features to remove any existing piece of
malware on the computer. So an anti-virus program will both remove
malware and protct the PC from further incursions. It does so by looking for
malicious code.This is why it is important to continuously update the anti-
virus database.
• Malware can slow your computer (or do worse, like remove data). Removing
this unwanted software would help improve system performance.

4. Backup software
• This is used to create an exact copy of all of the data on a HDD/ SSD.
• By doing this you can, create a backup in case of a system failure.
• This piece of utility software can improve system performance by, creating a
restore point.This will allow you to bring your system back to a previous
state in case of a system failure.
• By creating backups periodically, this can ensure minimal data is lost.

5. Disk cleaner
• Disk cleaners find unnecessary files, on the computer storage, and remove
them.They help the user to decide what to delete when storage medium is
full.
• By removing unwanted files, there becomes more space on the storage
device, and it will improve performance by removing some unwanted files
that could take up RAM storage.

6. Disk Defragmenters
• Over the extensive storage of the Hard Drive, files can become scattered
across the storage device.This results in inaccessible ‘free’ storage,The Disk
Defragmenter software compresses the files, to create one large area of
‘free’ storage.

7. Drive formatting
• Drive formatting software allows you to remove all data on a specified drive.
• By doing this, you can securely remove data.The drive then becomes re-
useable to place new data on it.
• This can improve performance by removing old and unwanted data, and
allowing room for newer software.

8. Firewall
• Most modern OS’s have a built in firewall, this is a preventative measure.
• This preventative measure stops malware entering the system, it is a layer
of protection, and is regularly updated.
• A firewall does not improve performance, it creates a layer of security,
which helps maintain performance levels, by stopping viruses entering the
system.

9. Internet History
• Internet history is a piece of
utility software that records
the internet history. It does not
necessarily improve system
performance, but it does
provide an easy way to revisit
previous websites, it also
allows you to create ‘favourite’
websites, that are saved for
easy access.

10. Utility software and system performance
• Utility software, in particular those that clean, and defragment , improve
system performance.
• Utility software such as the internet history, does not greatly improve
performance. By keeping a log of every website visited, this can take up a
considerable amount of space. Other utility software like: disk cleaner, is
needed as it deletes the file and improves performance.
• Overall, utility software can improve system performance, and in some
cases, it can limit the performance.