Applications are programs that do specific jobs on your computer
An application (or app) is software designed to perform a particular task. When you open Microsoft Word to write a letter, you are running an application. When you click on Google Chrome to browse the web, you are running an application. When you use Spotify to listen to music, you are running an application. Each one is a separate program built to do one thing or a group of related things well.
Applications are different from your operating system — the core software that makes your computer run. Your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) is the foundation. Applications are the tools you install on top of that foundation to accomplish actual work. Without applications, your computer would turn on but you would have nothing to do with it.
You interact with applications every single day, often without thinking about what you are doing. The calculator you use, the email program you check, the photo editor you use to crop pictures — these are all applications. Some come built into your computer. Others you download and install yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Applications are individual programs designed to do specific tasks, separate from your operating system.
- You can find applications in your Start menu (Windows), Applications folder (Mac), or app drawer (mobile devices).
- Applications run in the background and use your computer's memory and processing power, which is why too many open at once can slow things down.
- You can uninstall applications you no longer use through your system settings or control panel.
- Some applications are free, some cost money, and some require a subscription to use.
Where applications live on your computer
On a Windows computer, you find applications in your Start menu. Click the Windows logo in the bottom left corner of your screen, and you will see a list of programs you have installed. You can also type the name of an application directly into the search box that appears when you click the Start button, and Windows will find it for you.
On a Mac, applications are stored in a folder called Applications. You can reach it by opening Finder (the blue and white face icon in your dock) and clicking Applications in the sidebar. All your programs are listed there. You can also use Spotlight search — press Command and Space at the same time, then type the name of the application you want.
On phones and tablets, applications appear as icons on your home screen or in an app drawer. On iPhones and iPads, swipe left to see all your apps. On Android phones, tap the grid icon to open the app drawer. Each device organizes applications slightly differently, but the idea is the same: they are all stored in one place so you can find and open them.
How applications use your computer's resources
When you open an application, it uses your computer's memory (RAM) and processing power. Think of memory like your desk space — the more applications you have open at once, the less room you have to work. If you open ten applications simultaneously, your computer has to divide its attention among all of them, and everything slows down.
Some applications use more resources than others. A simple text editor like Notepad uses very little. A video editing program like Adobe Premiere uses a lot. A web browser like Firefox uses a moderate amount, and the amount grows as you open more tabs. If your computer feels slow, one of the first things to check is how many applications are running at the same time. Close the ones you are not actively using.
You can see which applications are currently running and how much memory each one is using. On Windows, press Ctrl, Shift, and Escape at the same time to open Task Manager. On a Mac, open Applications, then Utilities, then Activity Monitor. Both tools show you every running application and let you close ones that are stuck or using too much power.
Installing and removing applications
To install a new application on Windows, you usually download an installer file (often ending in .exe) from the software maker's website or from the Microsoft Store. Double-click the installer and follow the prompts. The installer copies the application files to your computer and sets everything up so you can use it.
On a Mac, you download an application file (usually ending in .dmg or .app) and drag it into your Applications folder. Some Mac applications come from the App Store, which works similarly to the Microsoft Store — you find the application, click Install, and it downloads and sets itself up automatically.
To remove an application you no longer want, the process is different on each system. On Windows, open Settings, click Apps, find the application in the list, and click Uninstall. On a Mac, open Applications, right-click the application, and select Move to Trash. On phones and tablets, press and hold the app icon until a menu appears, then select Remove or Delete.
Free applications versus paid applications
Some applications cost nothing to download and use. These are called free applications. Examples include Firefox (a web browser), GIMP (a photo editor), and VLC Media Player (a video player). Free does not mean low quality — many free applications are excellent and widely used.
Other applications cost money. You might pay once to own it (like buying Microsoft Office outright), or you might pay a monthly or yearly subscription (like Adobe Creative Cloud or Microsoft 365). Some applications are free to download but show advertisements, or they are free for basic features but charge money to unlock advanced features. This model is called freemium.
Before you download an application, check whether it costs money and how much. Read the description on the download page carefully. If an application asks for payment information during installation, that is a sign it is not free. Never enter credit card details unless you are certain you want to pay.
Applications that come built into your computer
Your operating system includes several applications already installed. On Windows, these include Notepad (a simple text editor), Paint (a basic drawing program), Calculator, and File Explorer (which lets you browse your files). Windows also includes a web browser called Microsoft Edge.
On a Mac, built-in applications include TextEdit (a text editor), Preview (for viewing images), Calculator, and Safari (a web browser). Both systems also include email programs, calendar applications, and media players.
You cannot remove some of these built-in applications, but you do not have to use them. If you prefer Google Chrome to Microsoft Edge, you can download Chrome and use that instead. If you prefer Thunderbird for email instead of Outlook, you can download and install Thunderbird. Built-in applications are there as a starting point, but you are free to replace them with other applications you prefer.
What happens when an application stops responding
Sometimes an application freezes or stops responding to your clicks. The window stays on screen but nothing happens when you click buttons or type. This usually means the application has encountered an error or is waiting for something that never arrives.
The first thing to try is waiting a few seconds — sometimes an application is just slow. If nothing changes after 30 seconds, you can force the application to close. On Windows, press Ctrl, Shift, and Escape to open Task Manager, find the frozen application in the list, click it, and click End Task. On a Mac, press Command, Option, and Escape to open Force Quit, select the frozen application, and click Force Quit.
After you close a frozen application, you can open it again. If the same application keeps freezing, try restarting your computer. If it still freezes, the application may have a bug or may not work well with your system. You could try uninstalling and reinstalling it, or you could switch to a different application that does the same job.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an application and a program?
The words are used interchangeably. "Application" and "program" mean the same thing — a piece of software designed to do a specific job. You might hear "application" more often when talking about phones and tablets, and "program" more often when talking about computers, but they refer to the same concept.
Can I have too many applications installed?
Installing many applications does not slow down your computer much, as long as you are not running them all at the same time. The problem is when multiple applications are open and active. You can safely have dozens or even hundreds of applications installed. Just close the ones you are not using to free up memory.
Is it safe to download applications from the internet?
Download applications only from official sources: the software maker's website, the Microsoft Store, the Mac App Store, or Google Play. Avoid downloading from random websites you do not recognize. Stick to well-known applications with good reviews. If something seems suspicious, do not download it.
Why do some applications need permission to access my files or camera?
Applications request permission to access certain parts of your computer for security reasons. A photo editing application needs permission to access your photos folder. A video call application needs permission to use your camera and microphone. Your operating system asks your permission first so applications cannot secretly access things without your knowledge.
What should I do if an application keeps asking me to update?
Updates fix bugs, add new features, and patch security problems. It is generally safe and recommended to install updates when an application asks. You can usually choose to update now or be reminded later. Set aside a few minutes to let the update finish, and restart the application afterward.