There are several different ways to install a program on Windows, you can install programs/software downloaded from the internet or install programs from a cd or dvd.
If you want to install a program from the web you will need to download the installer or the .exe file onto your computer. Files with the .exe extensions are executibles files which basically means an action will take place when it is click on. It is very important to trust the source from where you are downloading the program from, viruses often disguise themselves in .exe file extensions. Ok, back to installing a program.
- Go to the website to download the software
- Find the link to download the program and click on it, most websites will have a download page
- After clicking on the download link (you may need to enter your admin password) a pop up window should appear with a few options
- The “Open” or “Run” option will automatically install the program on your computer just follow the instructions
- The “Save” option lets you download and save the .exe file for installation at a later time, you will need to click on this file that you just downloaded to install the program. There are few good reasons why you might want to download the .exe file (installer), you can scan the file for viruses with your Anti-Virus program, or move the file to another computer or just save it for a backup.
Installing a program from a cd or dvd is pretty straight forward also.
- Put the disc in the drive
- The disc should run and usually a installation wizard will guide you through step by step or autoplay will pop up then you can choose to run the program
- If nothing happens when you put the disc in the drive than you could manually select it by going into “My Computer” or “Computer” and click on the cd/dvd drive and it should show the files that are on the disc including an installation file