1. Chapter 3 Installing and Learning Software

2. Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3
Getting Started
In this Chapter, you will learn:
What is in an application window
How to locate the instruction manual
How software is distributed
How to install software from a CD
How to download software and install it
About software updates
How to remove software
About USB flash drives
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

3. What’s in an application window?
The rectangular window that appears on your screen when you open an application is the application window. It includes:
Title bar with three buttons
Minimize button
Maximize button
Close button
Menu bar
Toolbar
Ribbon (Office 2007)
Office button (Office 2007)
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

4. What’s in an application window?
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

5. Where’s the instruction manual?
Software documentation is provided by the publisher of the software and can include:
Reference manual (User Manual) provides detailed descriptions of how to use the software’s features
Online Help contains the reference manual in an electronic format
Readme file contains installation notes and information about last-minute changes to the software
Software tutorial provides step-by-step lessons on how to use the software
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

6. How is software distributed?
Most software is distributed on CDs at retail stores or downloaded from Web sites
Software will include a EULA (end-user license agreement)
Commercial software is marketed for profit
Freeware is distributed for free
Shareware allows you to install the software and share with friends for a trial period
Open source software is often developed as a public, collaborative effort of volunteers
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

7. How do I install software from a CD?
Software applications are made up of a collection of program modules. When you install software:
Some or all of the program modules are copied from the CD to your PC’s hard disk
The program is added to the All Programs menu
The program is added to the Windows Registry, which keeps track of installed hardware and software
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

8. How do I install software from a CD?
The software installation process is automated by a setup program that is included on the CD
You interact with the messages displayed to accept the EULA and indicate where to store the program
You usually install a program one time, but can use the CD again if you need to reinstall the software
Before installing, check your system to make sure it meets the system requirements
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

9. How do I install software from a CD?
Installing software with a setup program
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

10. How do I download software and install it?
Downloading software is transferring the software from the Internet to your PC
The installation process is usually very similar to installing programs from a CD
You run a setup program that triggers the step-by-step installation process
A portable application is software specifically developed to run on a computer without being installed
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

11. What about software updates?
Types of software updates (also called upgrades) include:
New versions
Software patches, which replace part of the program code
Service packs, which correct problems
Some software provides an automatic update option
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

12. How do I remove software?
When you uninstall software you remove it from:
The hard disk
The All Programs menu
The Registry
Uninstall program feature handles the complexities of removing the program modules behind the scenes
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

13. How do I remove software?
“Uninstall a Program” section of Vista
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

14. Hardware: USB flash drives
A USB flash drive (UFD) is a compact and portable storage device that plugs into a computer’s USB port
Portable, pluggable, and powerful
Files can be opened, edited, deleted, and viewed
Capacities from 16 MB to 16 GB
Transfers data MB per second
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

15. Hardware: USB flash drives
You can run software from your UFD
The ClamWin Portable application can protect your data from security threats
You should password protect your data
UFD’s are often used to store backup copies of files
To remove a UFD use the appropriate on-screen eject control
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

16. Hardware: USB flash drives
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

17. Is it legal to install this software?
What do you think?
Have you ever used pirated software?
Do you think most people try to comply with the terms of the software license agreements?
If you discovered pirated software in use at your school or office, would you report it?
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3

18. Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3
Chapter Summary
You should now be able to:
Use an application window
Locate the instruction manual
Access and install software from a CD
Access and install downloaded software
Make decisions regarding software updates
Remove software
Use USB flash drives
Practical PC 5th Edition Chapter 3