How to install and uninstall programs on a PC

Installing and uninstalling programs from a PC is generally an easy process using Microsoft Windows 7. However, there are enough exceptions to this rule that you should never assume that a program can be installed or uninstalled without problems. This may be the case of software that was designed before Windows 7 was released or for programs that use their uninstall applications. Read the instructions carefully when installing any program and see what is happening on the screen while it is being installed. Before uninstalling a program, take a look at the application folder and read all the documentation that comes with the software to find the special requirements.

one

Log in to your computer with an administrative account.

two

Insert the DVD or CD with the program if it was one. Many disks will automatically start a dialog box with instructions on how to install the software . If a dialog box does not appear, examine the contents of the disk, specifically for a "Setup.exe" or "Install.exe" file. Double click on this file to install the software.

3

Go to the Web page that contains a link to download the software if it is available online. Click on the download link. A dialog box opens. Select "Open" or "Run" to install the program immediately or "Save" to download the file so that it can be launched later. Save the file if you are not sure of the source of the program, and then scan it with an anti-virus program. Double-click on the file to install the program on your computer.

4

Install a program from a network if it is available there. This may be the case, for example, for the software used by your company. Click on the Windows Start button and click on "Control Panel". Select "Programs", then "Programs and features". Select "Install a program from the network" in the menu on the left. Click on the program you want to install and click on "Install".

5

Follow the instructions on the screen to install the software on your computer. Enter your administrator password if requested. Take note of the special instructions to uninstall the program later as they are often displayed on the screen during the installation process. Do not remove all the documentation that comes with the program without having read it, since they usually include uninstall instructions as well.

6

Log in to your computer with an administrative account. Make sure the program you want to uninstall is not running. Disable any antivirus software that can scan your computer or wait for it to complete before continuing. Scanning program files for viruses can interrupt the uninstall process.

7

Click on the Start button and select "All Programs." Open the folder that contains the program you want to uninstall. Search the folder for an "Uninstall" file. Double-click on the file to uninstall the program.

8

Look for special instructions in the program folder as a "Read Me" text file if there is no "Uninstall" file in the program folder. You can also visit the web page of the application for instructions on how to uninstall the program . Follow these instructions to uninstall the program. If there are no special instructions proceed to the next step.

9

Click on the Windows Start button, if there are no special instructions to uninstall the program. Click on the "Control Panel". Select "Programs", then "Programs and features". Click on the program you wish to delete and select "Uninstall". Enter your administrator password if asked.

10

Manually uninstall a program and delete the files only as a last resort, in the event that these steps do not successfully remove the program. Backup your files and create a restore point system before deleting files. To create a restore point, click the Windows Start button, type "System Restore" in the search field and press "Enter." The System Wizard for Restore will guide you through the process. This includes the existing data files that are used with the program that is not used with other programs. Often you can identify the files associated with a program by its extension. For example, Adobe Illustrator uses files with the extension ".ai".

• Some programs that come with Windows 7 should be turned off instead of being uninstalled. Click on the Windows Start button, select "Control Panel" and click on "Programs." Click on "Turn Windows features on or off" and go to the Windows feature you want to disable. Uncheck the checkbox to disable a program. Click on "OK".