Software provides bonus to technological skills such as Hacking in System Shock 2, making the task easier. However, the skill level does not improve, and thus, minimum skill requirements are unaffected. There is specific Software for each tech category except Maintenance.
Overview
| Category | Version 1 | Version 2 | Version 3 |
| Hacking | 
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| Modification | 
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| Repairing | 
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| Research | 
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Software is upgraded upon picking up a small storage device. This item has a slightly different color hue depending on the tech category. The number of vertical white stripes on the storage device specifies the Soft level.
Each Software category has three levels, which provide an increased bonus. The bonus works as if the player has increased their skill level after the initial skill requirement is checked. For example, with a Hacking skill of 3 and Hack Software v2, the player may hack a Replicator as if having Hacking skill of 5. However, the player cannot hack a Turret, as it has a skill requirement of 4.
Once a skill is upgraded, the change is permanent. Software with lower than current level is redundant and discarded.