Installing and Removing programs ( Win. Vista & 7 )

Installing programs

• Within large organizations it is normally the IT support staff that installs or removes programs.  In many cases it is a disciplinary offence to install programs onto computers without specific permission.  This is because of the risk of accidentally infecting a computer with a computer virus or similar program.

• With small organizations or home use then it may be up to you to install new programs.  Always check so that you do not get yourself in trouble! 

• Programs are normally supplied on CD or DVD and these disks, once inserted into the CD/DVD drive should start automatically and display instructions onscreen covering the installation procedure.  If you need to install software, read the onscreen instructions VERY carefully at each stage.  If help is available and you get stuck always ask rather than assuming the installation will be OK.  If in doubt ask!  TIP: You can find lots of free programs when surfing the Web.  Be VERY careful about installing programs unless you are absolutely sure that the programs are supplied by a reliable source.

Removing programs

• WARNING: This section is just for reference.  Do not remove any programs during this training course.  As with installing programs only do this if you have been given specific authority within your company to remove a program. If in doubt ask!  You use the Control panel to remove programs. 

• Click on the Start button and from within the Start Menu, click on the Control Panel button. 

• The Control Panel window looks like this.   

• Within the Programs section click on the Uninstall a program command.  This will display a list of programs that you can uninstall.

• Click on the program that you wish to uninstall. In the example shown, the Google Desktop program has been selected. Once selected click on the Uninstall command (displayed above the list).  You may see some warning screens, in which case read them very carefully before deciding whether to proceed or not.  If in doubt, do not remove a program as it can cause problems if you delete programs that should not be deleted.  Close any open windows before continuing.