Installing /Uninstalling Software

If the mere idea of installing or uninstalling a piece of software makes you quake in your boots, read on.

Installing software simply means that you're going to insert a CD into your computer and follow a step by step wizard to put that software into the system. It's not hard. But there are some things that people often don't know about, and don't do, that makes the difference between a successful installation and a failed one.

Look at the lower right hand corner of your computer, where the clock is. Here is an example....

All the icons there are programs that run when the system starts up. Certain things like Antivirus programs, Firewalls, Adware/Spyware prevention programs and even chat programs like MSN and Yahoo Instant Messenger can potentially create a problem when you install a new program. Why? Because they're running! Some software has components that will actually integrate with other applications, like Adobe Acrobat. If you have Internet Explorer, or any of the Microsoft Office programs open, Acrobat can't install its plugins in those programs! See the issue? In addition, some virtual device drivers can be running that may interfere with your new program's installation -- and you may start getting error messages whenever you try to run it.

That's why you should always close all programs before you install a new one, even if you think it won't have an effect on other programs. Better safe than sorry!

To turn those programs off, right-click on each of the little icons and look for a close, exit, shut down, or disable option. In this example to the right, Norton Internet Security gives you two "disable" options -- one for the Norton Internet Security, and one for the Antivirus component only. You want the whole program to close for now, so choose "Disable Norton Internet Security".

Icons that are okay to leave alone are the network icons, mouse icon, add/remove hardware, java, volume control and removable drive icons. Look at the example below -- notice that when I disabled the Norton's, it indicates it's disabled with the little red X.

After you've turned off those programs, it's time to install your software. Don't worry -- when you reboot your computer, all those programs will come back on! Now put your CD in and sit back. If your computer's autoplay feature is on, the CD installer will launch automatically and the wizard will begin. By default, you can usually hit "Next" or "Continue" on each screen of the wizard and have a standard installation.

When the wizard is done installing your software, whether it asks you to or not, RESTART YOUR COMPUTER. Why? Because if anything is going to go wrong, you'll find out immediately and you'll know who the culprit is.

UNINSTALLING SOFTWARE

To uninstall a program you're no longer using, make sure you have all open windows and programs closed first. Then go to your Start button, go to Control Panel, Add & Remove Programs. Give the system a moment to populate the list -- you likely have a number of programs in your computer and it's pretty much "taking roll call". Once the list appears, simply scroll and find the program you want to remove, in the list. Click it to select it. You should have a button on the right that says "Remove". Click it and follow the brief wizard to remove your program.

Done? RESTART YOUR COMPUTER. Why? Because when you remove a program, some items are not fully removed until you restart your computer.

Now was that so bad?