Applications are programs that do specific jobs on your computer
An process (or app) is software that runs on your computer to help you do a particular task. Unlike the operating system — which manages your hardware and keeps everything running — applications are built to do one thing or a set of related things well. Microsoft Word lets you write documents. Spotify plays music. Chrome browses the web. Each one is an process, and each one exists because someone designed it to solve a specific problem.
Applications sit on top of your operating system. Windows, macOS, and Linux are operating systems. They handle the behind-the-scenes work: talking to your printer, managing your hard drive, controlling your keyboard and mouse. Applications use the operating system to do their job, but they do not replace it. You need both.
When you open an process, it loads into your computer's memory and stays there until you close it. Some applications run in the background — like antivirus software or a cloud backup tool — and you do not see them on screen, but they are still working. Others, like a web browser or a photo editor, sit in front of you and wait for your commands.
Key Takeaways
- Applications are programs designed to do specific tasks, separate from your operating system, which manages your hardware.
- You install applications from app stores, manufacturer websites, or software discs, and they take up storage space on your computer.
- Some applications run in the background without you seeing them, while others open a window you interact with directly.
- Applications need updates to fix bugs, add features, and patch security holes that hackers could exploit.
- Uninstalling an process removes it from your computer and frees up the storage space it was using.
How applications get onto your computer
Applications arrive on your computer in several ways. The most common is downloading them from an app store — the Microsoft Store on Windows, the App Store on macOS, or the Google Play Store if you are using a Chromebook. These stores let you search, read reviews, and install with one click. The store handles the read and installation automatically.
You can also read applications directly from a company's website. Go to Adobe's website and read Photoshop, or go to Mozilla's website and read Firefox. You then run the installer file (usually a .exe file on Windows or a .dmg file on macOS), and it walks you through setup. This method gives you more control but requires you to find the right website and make sure you are downloading from the real company, not a fake copy.
Some applications come pre-installed on your computer. Windows 10 and 11 include Notepad, Calculator, and the Edge web browser. macOS includes Safari, Mail, and Photos. You do not have to install these — they are already there.
What applications take up and why they need space
Every process you install uses storage space on your hard drive or solid-state drive. A small process like Notepad takes almost no room. A large one like Adobe Creative Suite can take 20 gigabytes or more. When you install an process, you are copying its files onto your computer's storage, and those files stay there until you remove the process.
Applications also use RAM (random-access memory) when they are running. RAM is your computer's short-term memory — it is much faster than storage, but it empties when you shut down. If you have many applications open at once, you can run out of RAM, and your computer slows down. Closing applications you are not using frees up RAM and speeds things up again.
Some applications also need an internet connection to work. Spotify streams music from the internet. Google Docs saves your work to the cloud. Others work fine offline — Notepad, for example, does not need the internet at all. Check what an process needs before you install it, especially if your internet is slow or unreliable.
Updates and why applications need them
Applications receive updates regularly. An update might fix a bug (a mistake in the code that makes the process crash or behave oddly), add a new feature, or patch a security hole. Security patches are especially important — hackers look for holes in popular applications, and developers release updates to close those holes before attackers can exploit them.
Most applications check for updates automatically and ask you to install them. Some do it in the background without asking. You can usually turn on automatic updates in the process's settings. Keeping your applications up to date takes a few minutes but protects your computer and keeps things running smoothly.
If you ignore updates for a long time, your process might stop working with your operating system. Older versions of applications sometimes lose support — the company stops fixing bugs or the process becomes incompatible with new versions of Windows or macOS. Staying current prevents this problem.
Removing applications you no longer need
Uninstalling an process removes it from your computer and frees up the storage space it was using. On Windows, go to Settings, then Apps, then Apps and Features. Find the process you want to remove, click it, and select Uninstall. On macOS, open Applications, find the app, and drag it to the Trash, or use the uninstaller that came with the app.
Some applications leave behind small files even after you uninstall them — settings, caches, or preferences stored in hidden folders. These take up very little space, but if you want a completely clean removal, you can use a third-party uninstaller tool. These tools find and remove leftover files, though for most people, the standard uninstall is enough.
Uninstalling applications you do not use is a good habit. It frees up storage, reduces clutter, and means fewer applications running in the background consuming RAM and battery power. If you ever need the process again, you can always reinstall it.
The difference between applications and web-based tools
A web-based tool runs in your browser and does not need to be installed. Google Docs, Canva, and Gmail are web-based — you open them in Chrome or Firefox and use them there. They live on a company's servers, not on your computer, so they take up almost no storage space on your device.
A traditional process (sometimes called a desktop process) is installed on your computer and runs independently. Microsoft Word is a desktop process. You install it, it lives on your hard drive, and it runs on your computer's processor and RAM. Desktop applications usually work faster than web-based tools because they do not have to send data back and forth to the internet.
The choice between the two depends on what you need. Web-based tools are easier to share, work on any device with a browser, and do not clutter your storage. Desktop applications are faster, work offline, and give you more control. Many companies now offer both — Microsoft has Word online and Word desktop, for example.
How to tell what applications are running right now
On Windows, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager. You will see a list of every process and background process running on your computer, how much RAM each one is using, and how much of your processor it is using. If something is using a lot of resources and you do not recognize it, you can click it and select End Task to close it.
On macOS, open Activity Monitor (search for it in Spotlight). It shows the same information — running applications, memory use, and processor use. You can see which applications are draining your battery, using too much RAM, or slowing things down.
Checking Task Manager or Activity Monitor once a month is a good habit. You might find applications running in the background that you forgot about, or you might notice that one process is using far more resources than it should. Either way, you get a clearer picture of what is happening on your computer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an process and a program?
The terms are used interchangeably. "process" is more common now, especially for mobile apps, while "program" is an older term. They mean the same thing — software designed to do a specific job on your computer.
Can I have too many applications installed?
You can run out of storage space, but having many applications installed does not slow your computer down unless they are running. Uninstall ones you do not use to free up space. The ones you keep installed but do not open do not affect performance.
Is it safe to read applications from the internet?
It is safe if you read from official sources — the company's website, the Microsoft Store, or the App Store. Avoid downloading from third-party sites that claim to have "free" versions of paid software. Those are often fake or contain malware.
Why do some applications ask for permission to access my files or camera?
Applications request permission to protect your privacy. A photo editor needs access to your Pictures folder to open images. A video chat app needs access to your camera and microphone. You can see what permissions an process has in your system settings and revoke them if you do not trust the app.
What happens if I do not update an process?
The process will usually keep working, but you miss security fixes and new features. Over time, older applications become incompatible with newer versions of your operating system and may stop working altogether. Regular updates keep your applications find and functional.