Unit 9. Adding or removing programs

In addition to the operating system, computers have other programs installed. If one of them is not useful anymore and we want to delete it, Windows has the Adding or removing programs tool, because a program cannot be uninstalled by simply deleting the files manually, due to that when a program is installed Windows creates notes on the Windows Register.

The Windows Register is a file where the current conifguration of the system is saved, the hardware, software and the different user configurations.

If we only delete the files linked to the program, the records that Windows created on the Register are not removed, so an inconsistency can occur. If we don't know how to handle the Windows Register we shouldn't delete notes because we could create an inconsistency, which in some cases may be fatal.

If you want to get to know the Windows Regiser go to our advanced .

An important change that emerges as a consequence of the new user system is that to install or uninstall programs a user has to have sufficient authorization. Only the users that belong to the group System Manager can do so.

Adding New Programs

Click on the Start button and choose Control Panel Click on Add or Remove Programs option, a window will display with the three basic options shown on the left side of the picture as it appears below. Then clic on Add New Programs. In this option we have two basic posibilities: 1. - Adding programs from a CD-ROM or floppy. If the program we want to install is on a CD-ROM or on a floppy we will click on the CD or Floppy button and a screen will appear prompting us to introduce the CD or floppy in the corresponding drive. From that moment the asistant will guide us during the installation process. Normally it will ask us questions regarding where the program is to be installed, we recommend to accept the folder that it suggests. It can also ask us what options of the program we want to install, for example, if we want a traditional installation, minimal, or complete This is one way to install a program from a CD, but in the majority of the cases it is not necessary, it is easier and quicker to just put the CD in and let the program in the CD drive do it automatically. The result is the same and we will save ourselves having to reach this screen to Add new programs. In some cases the manufacturer has not provided an installation program and we need to install it manually from here.

2.- Adding programs from Microsoft. If what we want is to add or update a new Microsoft component we need to click on Add programs from Microsoft, this will cause the system to connect us to the appropriate web page through the Internet. On this page we are informed of the updates that are available to download. Normally we will find updates related to three main subjects: security problems, Windows updates, and driver updates. We need to determine which updates we want to install on our computer according to our configuration and what we use it for. In most cases it is recomendable to install the security updates since they will protect us from viruses. The viruses show the security flaws of Windows, Microsoft fixes these flaws and places on its page the needed updates.If you do not have an interned connection you will not be able to use this update system. In the advanced unit you can see with more detail how Windows Update works.

Modifying or removing programs

Click on the Start button and choose Control Panel Click on Add or Remove Programs option, a window will display with the three basic options shown on the left side of the picture as it appears below. Then clic on Change or Remove Programs. The Modify or delete programs option is shown on the upper left corner because it is the option that is most often used. On this screen the installed programs in our computer are displayed.ç To select the program we want to change or remove we have to click on it. On the image above ANIO Service appears highlighted. Now we can do two things with this program: modify its instalation or delete it. To do this, we have two buttons, Change and Remove. Although normally only one button will appear, Change/Remove. The normal thing is to delete the program since modifying a program is usually done within the program, not from this screen. In fact, the majority of the programs only allow for the option Delete.

If we click Change/Remove we will begin the process of uninstalling the selected program. This process can vary slightly depending on the program at hand and at times we will be in a process specific to that program. Other times Windows will take care of the uninstalling process, but in general it is a simple process that only requires us to answer a few confirmation questions. Even so, the first time that you do this, there could be a few doubts. In order to solve these doubts or questions, here you have an advanced unit to look at in the event it is Windows that is carrying out the process

Automatic update

The process of updating through Windows Update can be a bit long, which is why Microsoft has created an automatic update system. Basically this system consists in alerting the user if there are available updates each time the computer is turned on. In this case a message next to the task bar will appear and if the user wants, the download process can start. The download process is done on a different plane so that the user can continue working on other things.

When the downloads have finished the user is informed so that they can be checked and if any of the downloaded updates are to be installed the installation can begin.