Examples of such software are games and simple editing tools supplied with Microsoft Windows, or software development toolchains supplied with many Linux distributions. Such software is not considered system software when it can be uninstalled without affecting the functioning of other software. Many operating systems come pre-packaged with basic application software. System software was usually supplied by the manufacturer of the computer hardware and was intended to be used by most or all users of that system. In the late 1940s, the early days of computing, most application software was custom-written by computer users to fit their specific hardware and requirements. Īpplication software is software that allows users to do user-oriented tasks such as create text documents, play or develop games, create presentations, listen to music, draw pictures or browse the web. Examples of system software include operating systems (OS) (like macOS, Linux, Android and Microsoft Windows), computational science software, game engines, search engines, industrial automation, and software as a service applications. System software is software designed to provide a platform for other software.

For Apple Inc's old operating system, formerly named 'System Software', see Classic Mac OS.

Mac cleaning software