COMPUTING – KS3 (YEAR 9)

Theme: SOFTWARE

Topic: UTILITY SOFTWARE

10/01/2025 9:25:10 am CREATED BY KENNY KENIYINBOH 1

Lesson Objective:
Pupils should be able to:

1) Describe the term Utility software

2) Know the types and their uses
3) List some advantages and disadvantages

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 LO:
Pupils should be
UTILITY SOFTWARE able to:
1) Describe Utility
software
The Utility Software is system software that helps to 2) Know the types
and their uses
maintain the proper and smooth functioning of a Computer 3) List some
advantages and
System. disadvantages

It assists the Operating System to manage, organize,

maintain, and optimize the functioning of the computer
system.
Utility Software performs certain tasks like virus detection,
installation, and uninstallation, data backup, deletion of
unwanted files, etc.

10/01/2025 9:25:11 am CREATED BY KENNY KENIYINBOH 3

 LO:
Pupils should be
TYPES OF UTILITY SOFTWARE able to:
1) Describe Utility
software
An Antivirus: - 2) Know the types
and their uses
Is a utility software that helps to keep the computer 3) List some
advantages and
virus-free. Moreover, it notifies when any malicious file is disadvantages
detected and removes such files.
In addition, it scans any new device attached to the
computer and discards any virus if there.
Moreover, it also scans the system from time to time for any
threats and disposes of them.

10/01/2025 9:25:11 am CREATED BY KENNY KENIYINBOH 4

 LO:
Pupils should be
TYPES OF UTILITY SOFTWARE able to:
1) Describe Utility
software
File Management System: - 2) Know the types
and their uses
These utility software are used to manage files of the 3) List some
advantages and
computer system. This utility software help to browse, disadvantages

search, arrange, find information, and quickly preview the

files of the system.
Windows Explorer is a default file management tool
present in the system. Other examples of file management
tools are Google Desktop, Double Commander, Directory
Opus, etc.

10/01/2025 9:25:11 am CREATED BY KENNY KENIYINBOH 5

 LO:
Pupils should be
TYPES OF UTILITY SOFTWARE able to:
1) Describe Utility
software
Compression Tools: - 2) Know the types
and their uses
An important part of a computer is storage space, it is very 3) List some
advantages and
important to maintain this storage. Therefore, we use disadvantages

certain utility software to compress big files and decrease

their size, these are compression tools.
The format of the files changes while compressing and we
cannot access or edit them directly. In addition, we can
easily decompress the file and get the original file back.
Examples of compression tools are WinZip, WinRAR, etc.

10/01/2025 9:25:11 am CREATED BY KENNY KENIYINBOH 6

 LO:
Pupils should be
TYPES OF UTILITY SOFTWARE able to:
1) Describe Utility
software
Disk Management Tools: - 2) Know the types
and their uses
These utility software are used to manage data on disks. 3) List some
advantages and
Moreover, they perform functions like partitioning devices, disadvantages

manage drives, etc.

Examples of disk management tools are MiniTool Partition
Wizard, Paragon Partition Manager, etc.
Disk Cleanup Tool: -
This utility software helps to free up the disk space. In
addition, the files which are no longer in use are removed
from the disk. Examples are Razer Cortex, CCleaner, etc.
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 LO:
Pupils should be
TYPES OF UTILITY SOFTWARE able to:
1) Describe Utility
software
Disk Defragmenter: - 2) Know the types
and their uses
This utility software helps to reduce the fragmentation and 3) List some
advantages and
hence, reduces the access speed. disadvantages

Defragmenting refers to rearranging files and storing them

in contiguous memory locations.
Moreover, saves time in reading from files and writing files
to disk. Examples of disk defragmenters are Perfect disk,
Deflaggler, etc.

10/01/2025 9:25:11 am CREATED BY KENNY KENIYINBOH 8

 LO:
Pupils should be
TYPES OF UTILITY SOFTWARE able to:
1) Describe Utility
software
Backup Utility: - 2) Know the types
and their uses
This utility software helps to back up the files, folders, 3) List some
advantages and
databases, or complete disks. disadvantages

Moreover, backup refers to duplicating the disk information

so that the data can be restored if any data loss happens.

10/01/2025 9:25:11 am CREATED BY KENNY KENIYINBOH 9

 LO:
Pupils should be
ADVANTAGES OF UTILITY SOFTWARE able to:
1) Describe Utility
software
Some advantages of utility software are as follows: 2) Know the types
and their uses
1) Enhances performance. 3) List some
advantages and
2) Manages space. disadvantages

3) Manages files and data.

4) Helps to customize interface and desktop.
5) Helps to remove useless files.
6) Keep the system safe and secure.
7) Helps to recover files after a loss.

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 LO:

DISADVANTAGES OF UTILITY SOFTWARE Pupils should be

able to:
1) Describe Utility
software
Some disadvantages of utility software are as follows: 2) Know the types
and their uses
1) Limited Functionality 3) List some
advantages and
2) Performance Impact disadvantages

3) Compatibility Issues
4) Over-reliance on Utilities
5) Potential for Misuse or Harm
6) Security risk
7) Risk of Bloatware (unnecessary features or additional
programs that are not essential)

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