# System software

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Platform-providing software

This article is about general concept. For Apple Inc's old operating system, see [System Software](/source/System_Software).

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**System software** is [software](/source/Software) that provides a platform for other software.[1] Examples include the [kernel](/source/Kernel_(operating_system)) and [device drivers](/source/Device_driver) of an [operating system](/source/Operating_system) (OS).[2] A [program](/source/Computer_program) that runs in the context of the platform is classified as [application](/source/Application_software) or [utility](/source/Utility_software) software based on the functionality it provides and the [role](/source/User_role) of intended [users](/source/User_(computing)). Application software provides for the normal use of a computer, without regard to how the computer works or what it needs to function. It is used to accomplish [end user](/source/End_user) tasks such as writing documents, playing video games, listening to music, drawing pictures, browsing the web and developing software.[3] Utility software supports managing system hardware and software ([system administrator](/source/System_administrator) tasks).

System software typically includes operating systems, device drivers, utility programs, and language translators such as compilers and assemblers.

Many operating systems are installed with application and utility software. Regardless, application software is generally not classified as system software. Core utility software is considered by some to be system software if it cannot be uninstalled without affecting the functioning of other software.[4]

## See also

- [IBM mainframe utility programs](/source/IBM_mainframe_utility_programs)

- [Nintendo DSi system software](/source/Nintendo_DSi_system_software)

- [Nintendo 3DS system software](/source/Nintendo_3DS_system_software)

- [Nintendo Switch system software](/source/Nintendo_Switch_system_software)

- [PlayStation 3 system software](/source/PlayStation_3_system_software)

- [PlayStation 4 system software](/source/PlayStation_4_system_software)

- [PlayStation Portable system software](/source/PlayStation_Portable_system_software)

- [PlayStation Vita system software](/source/PlayStation_Vita_system_software)

- [System programming](/source/System_programming)

- [System programming language](/source/System_programming_language)

- [Wii system software](/source/Wii_system_software)

- [Wii U system software](/source/Wii_U_system_software)

- [Xbox 360 system software](/source/Xbox_360_system_software)

- [Xbox One system software](/source/Xbox_One_system_software)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["System software"](https://www.britannica.com/technology/system-software). *Encyclopaedia Britannica*. Retrieved 2025-12-17.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Panel: Systems Programming in 2014 and Beyond"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140607224814/https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Lang-NEXT/Lang-NEXT-2014/Panel-Systems-Programming-Languages-in-2014-and-Beyond). Microsoft. Archived from [the original](https://channel9.msdn.com/Events/Lang-NEXT/Lang-NEXT-2014/Panel-Systems-Programming-Languages-in-2014-and-Beyond) on 2014-06-07. Retrieved 4 December 2015.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Millner, W. W.; Montgomery-Smith, Ann (2022). *Information and Communication Technology for Intermediate GNVQ*. p. 126.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-webopedia_4-0)** ["What is systems software?"](http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/systems_software.html). Webopedia.com. May 24, 2021 [September 1, 1996]. Retrieved 2022-06-24.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [System software](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_software?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.