System software

System software is computer software designed to operate the computer hardware and to provide and maintain a platform for running application software.

The most important types of system software are:


 * The BIOS and device firmware, which provide basic functionality to operate and control the hardware connected to or built into the computer.
 * The operating system (prominent examples being Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Linux), which allows the parts of a computer to work together by performing tasks like transferring data between memory and disks or rendering output onto a display device. It also provides a platform to run high-level system software and application software.
 * Utility software, which helps to analyze, configure, optimize and maintain the computer.