Application software is a computer program used to carry out a specific task that goes beyond the functionality of the computer's operating system (OS). Examples are word processing software and Internet browsers. Application software can only be installed after the OS has been installed and your computer is up and running. Before installing applications, you need to check the compatibility with your computer OS and hardware.

When I ask someone what version of Windows they're using, I often get a comment similar to, 'I thought software was just software.' The truth is there are two main categories of software: applications and operating system software.