Installing programs
Published: September 7, 2006
After Windows XP is set up and running, it’s time to install the programs you want to use on your computer. Many programs are installed from a CD, but you can also download and install programs from the Internet. By using an Internet browser, you can choose from thousands of programs for Windows XP, including productivity tools, media players, and games—many of which are free.
You’ll find that it’s fun and easy to download programs from the Internet. However, some programs can make your computer slow or unreliable, or even damage your computer. Therefore, before you install programs, take the following steps to make sure your computer is protected and prepared:
| • | Install antispyware software such as Windows Defender. Some programs, known as spyware, adware, or malware, perform unwanted actions on your computer. Antispyware programs can help protect you from unknowingly installing malicious software. |
| • | Add the download page to your Favorites. Software developers regularly release updates that improve the reliability of their programs, add new features to their programs, and improve your computer’s security while running their programs. Once a month, return to the Web sites from which you downloaded programs and check for updates. |
| • | Log on using a computer administrator account. Windows XP provides different security levels for user accounts. To install programs, you have to log on with an Administrator user account. An administrator can perform any action on a computer. However, when you’re not performing administrator tasks, you should log on with a standard user account to help protect your computer while it’s connected to the Internet. To switch users, follow these instructions. If you are not sure if your account has Administrator privileges, you can try to install the program. If you receive an error message, ask the person who set up your account to install the program for you. |
After preparing your computer:
Tip: If you decide you don’t want to use a program, you should uninstall it to save space on your hard disk.
Install a program from the Web
To download and install a program from the Web
1. | Click the download link on the software company’s Web site. When prompted, click Save.
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2. | In the Save As dialog box, click the Save in down arrow, and then click Desktop. Make note of the file name. Then, click Save.
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3. | Internet Explorer downloads the file, which may take several minutes. When the download is complete, click Close.
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4. | Right-click your system clock, and then click Show the Desktop.
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5. | Locate the file on the desktop, and double-click it to start the setup program.
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6. | If the Security Warning dialog box appears, click Run.
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7. | During setup, click Next to move to the next page of the setup program, and then click Finish on the last page. If the page prompts you to enter information, you can do so, or you can simply accept the default information that the setup program entered.
After the program is installed, you can delete the setup file from your desktop. To open your new program, click the Start button, click All Programs, and then click the program’s icon. |
Install a program from a CD
To install a program from CD
1. | Insert the CD into your computer. Setup will start automatically. If it does not start after several seconds, double-click My Computer on your desktop (or click the Start button, and click My Computer), right-click your CD drive, and then click AutoPlay.
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2. | During setup, click Next to move to the next page of the setup program, and then click Finish on the last page. If a page prompts you to enter information, you can do so, or you can simply accept the default information that the setup program entered.
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3. | Once your program is installed, you can start it by clicking the Start button, clicking All Programs, and then clicking your new program’s icon. |
