Installing or Removing Windows Components


In addition to Windows updates, you may need to add or remove Windows components. Depending on the type of installation you performed, you may not have installed certain features (such as fax features). On the other hand, to save disk space, you may want to remove components you don't use.

For instance, you may read in a book (including this book) about how to use your computer to play Solitaire. However, when you look at your Start menu, you don't see Solitaire listed. Perhaps the games included with Windows XP were not installed on your computer. If so, you can install them.

To make a change to Windows components, follow these steps:

1.

Click the Start button and then click Control Panel.

2.

Click Add or Remove Programs. You'll see the Add or Remove Programs window (see Figure 20.6).

Figure 20.6. You can use this Control Panel item to add and remove programs, including Windows components.


3.

Click the Add/Remove Windows Components button. You'll see the Windows Components Wizard (see Figure 20.7). Items that are checked are installed. You can uncheck items to remove them from your setup. You can also check any items to add them to your setup.

Figure 20.7. You can select which Windows components are installed.


4.

Check (to add) or uncheck (to remove) the components you want to change.

tip

Some listed components are actually several components. To view the various components within a group, select the item (such as Accessories and Utilities) and then click the Details button. You can then check or uncheck the components listed within this group.

5.

Click Next and then follow the onscreen instructions as Windows XP updates its installed components. The components you checked are added. You may be prompted to insert your Windows disk. Windows configures and sets up any new components. If you unchecked a component, it is removed.

6.

Click Finish to complete the wizard. You may need to restart your computer to update Windows XP's configuration and put the update(s) into effect.

The Absolute Minimum

To keep your system up-to-date, you should periodically check for and install Windows updates. This chapter covers this topic, as well as installing or removing Windows components. Keep these main ideas in mind:

  • Usually, your computer is set up to automatically scan for and install updates. You'll know when an update is installed because Windows displays a notification icon.

  • To check for updates manually or to select from optional updates, use the Windows Updates command. This command starts Internet Explorer and takes you to the Microsoft Windows Update page. Here, you can review current updates and select to install those updates.

  • If you prefer to control when updates are installed, you can change the Automatic Updates settings. To do so, use the Windows Security Center.

  • To review, add, or remove installed Windows components, use the Add or Remove Programs Control Panel item.




    Absolute Beginner's Guide to Microsoft Windows XP
    Absolute Beginners Guide to Windows XP (2nd Edition)
    ISBN: 078973432X
    EAN: 2147483647
    Year: 2005
    Pages: 176
    Authors: Shelley OHara

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