PC software provides instructions that tell a computer or device what to do. These programs are grouped into two broad categories: system and application.
System software is essential to a computer and it helps users, hardware devices and application software work together. It runs in the background and handles many basic functions. It is the most important type of software.
Office Suite
An office suite is a group of productivity programs that are commonly used for work tasks in an office environment, study, and the creative process. The most popular office suite is Microsoft Office.
It’s available on multiple platforms, and provides a rich set of features for editing, formatting and saving Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, PowerPoint presentations and PDF files. It is also lightweight and operates smoothly even on older or less powerful devices.
A typical computer-based office suite includes a word processor, spreadsheet program, and presentation software. It can also include other programs such as a database, email program, and note taking application. These applications can help people work with business documents, create research and analytical reports, write papers for school, design slideshows for presentations, and much more. Depending on the needs of an individual or organization, some office suites may be more suited than others. Commercial suites are often expensive, but they provide a wide range of tools. Free alternatives are also available.
Antivirus Software
Detects and removes viruses, worms, trojans and other malware from computer systems and mobile devices. Malware is code that can corrupt or steal data, damage hardware, and hijack devices, often resulting in system downtime and a loss of productivity.
Antivirus software operates as a background process to scan devices and systems for malware. It prevents virus-laden files from being downloaded to a device or placed in memory, and it tries to stop a virus if it’s already on the system by identifying its digital fingerprints.
Some antivirus programs operate from a local client on a device, while others use a cloud service to analyze files remotely without taking up memory space. Both types provide a vital layer of protection against digital threat actors that try to infiltrate corporate and consumer devices, as well as the networks that manage their confidential information. Having antivirus software is especially important for businesses that handle sensitive data and must adhere to compliance regulations.
Glary Utilities
Glary Utilities is a system maintenance solution that includes over 20 tools to optimize PC performance. The software cleans disks and the registry, helps remove spyware, manages startup programs, deletes privacy tracks at shutdown and more. It also analyzes systems to detect errors and fix them, including those that cause the Windows operating system to slow down or crash.
The program features a 1-Click Maintenance feature that performs most functions automatically. Its cleaners include a Registry Cleaner, Shortcuts Fixer, Disk Cleaner and Spyware Remover, while its tracking eraser deletes cookies, passwords, login credentials and Internet trails to prevent cyber attackers from accessing personal information.
Like its competitor CCleaner, Glary Utilities offers a range of advanced features. These include a disk defragmenter that organizes data on the hard drive for faster access, and a startup manager that lets users enable and disable programs to launch when Windows starts. The software also has a file shredder to ensure that deleted files can’t be recovered, and a tool to encrypt passwords and sensitive information.
Fan Control
Fan control software can reduce the noise that your fans make. It can also reduce the speed at which your fans run, ensuring that they won’t overheat and cause damage to other components in your computer.
The most basic method of fan control is thermostatic or on/off control, where the fan is switched on only when it needs to be and then off for the rest of the time. This is very simple to implement and provides fail-safe cooling. However, it uses a lot of power and is noisy when not needed.
A more advanced approach is to use a fan controller with PWM control. This can provide a very smooth and quiet transition between high and low fan speeds. The fan controller also allows you to fine tune your fan’s response and hysteresis. This can be done via a configuration file or by using the graphical user interface. NBFC (formerly lm-sensors) is the most popular fan control solution for notebooks, with a powerful and flexible configuration system.