Category list

Part IV: Using Computer Software

Installing New Software

Using Suites and Bundles

Working with Words

Working with Numbers

Working with a Database

Working with Presentations

Managing Your Finances

Creating Cool Projects and Greeting Cards

Learning with Educational Software

Playing Games

Chapter 11. Installing New Software

In this chapter

Automatic Installation
Manual Installation
Installing Software from the Internet
Removing Old Programs

Your new computer system probably came with a bunch of programs preinstalled on its hard disk. As useful as these programs are, at some point you're going to want to add something new. Maybe you want to upgrade from Microsoft Works to the more full-featured Microsoft Office. Maybe you want to add some educational software for the kids or a productivity program for yourself. Maybe you just want to play some new computer games .

Whatever type of software you're considering, installing it on your computer system is easy. In most cases software installation is so automatic you don't have to do much more than stick a disc in the CD-ROM drive and click a few onscreen buttons . Even when it isn't that automatic, Windows will walk you through the installation process step-by-step—and you'll be using your new software in no time!

Automatic Installation

Almost all software programs have their own built-in installation programs. Installing the software is as easy as running this built-in program.

If the program you're installing comes on a CD-ROM, just insert the program's main or installation CD in your computer's CD-ROM drive. The program's installation program should then start automatically, and all you have to do is follow the onscreen instructions.

If the installation program doesn't start automatically, you have to launch it manually. To do this, follow these steps:

Click the Start button to display the Start menu.

tip

If this process doesn't work, try entering install instead of setup . (Some older programs have this different name for their installation programs.)
Select Run.
When the Run dialog box appears, as shown in Figure 11.1, enter x :\setup in the Open box. (Replace x with the letter of your CD-ROM drive; if your CD-ROM is drive D, you'd enter d:\setup .)

Figure 11.1. Enter the location and name of the installation program in the Run dialog box.
Click OK.

Manual Installation

If the program you're installing doesn't have an automated setup program, you can install the program by using Windows's Add or Remove Programs utility.

Follow these steps:

Click the Start button to display the Start menu.
Select Control Panel to open the Control Panel folder.
Select Add or Remove Programs to display the Add or Remove Programs dialog box.
Click the Add New Programs button.
When the next screen appears, as shown in Figure 11.2, click the CD or Floppy button.

Figure 11.2. Use the Add or Remove Programs utility to manually install a new program.
Insert the program's installation disc or disk, and then follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.