Installing, Configuring, and Maintaining Software - Installing and Running Your Software (Page 4 of 4 ) Whether you are using your computer to create Word documents, view photos, or send email, you are running software that handles these tasks for you. Windows Vista’s job is to provide a framework for you to install, configure, and run your software. Installing Software Unlike earlier releases of Windows, Windows Vista doesn’t provide a tool for adding, reconfiguring, or removing software. Instead, it relies on the software itself to provide these features through a Setup program. Most of the time installing and running your software using its Setup program is easy, and you can install your software from a CD or DVD by following these steps: - Insert the media disk into your computer’s CD or DVD drive.
- If Windows Vista displays the AutoPlay dialog box, click Run Setup.exe or a similar option under Install or Run Program. When Setup starts, follow the prompts to install the software, and skip the remaining steps.
- If Windows Vista doesn’t display the AutoPlay dialog box, click Start -> Computer. In the Computer window, double-click the CD or DVD drive.
- If Windows Vista detected the software’s Setup program (using Autorun.inf), you are then prompted for permission or consent to run the Setup program.
- If Windows Vista doesn’t detect the software’s Setup program, the contents of the disc are displayed in Windows Explorer. Double-click Setup.exe.
- When Setup starts, follow the prompts to install the software.
- Most software applications have a setup program that uses Windows Installer, InstallShield, or Wise Install. If the installation fails and the software has an installer, follow the prompts to allow the installer to restore your computer to its original state. Otherwise, exit Setup and then try rerunning Setup to either complete the installation or uninstall the program.
You can run installed software by selecting the software’s menu option or double-clicking its desktop shortcut. If you run into problems installing or running the software, be sure to read the sections of this chapter titled “Configuring Software Availability,”
“Configuring Compatibility for MS-DOS or 16-Bit Software,” and “Configuring Compatibility for Other Software.” However, not all programs have distribution media discs. If you download a program from the Internet, it’ll probably be in a ZIP or self-extracting executable file, and you can install the program by following these steps: Start Windows Explorer.
Extract the program’s setup files using one of the following techniques:
- If the program is distributed in a .zip file, right-click the file and select Extract All. This displays the Extract Compressed (Zipped) Folders dialog box. Click Browse, select a destination folder, and then click OK. Click Extract.
- If the program is distributed in a self-extracting executable file, double-click the .exe file to extract the setup files. You’ll see one of several types of prompts. If you’re prompted to run the file, click Run. If you’re prompted to extract the program files or select a destination folder, click Browse, select a destination folder, and then click OK. Click Extract or OK as appropriate.
- In Windows Explorer, browse the setup folders and find the program’s Setup.exe file. Double-click Setup.exe to start the installation process.
- When Setup starts, follow the prompts to install the software. If the installation fails and the software used an installer, follow the prompts to allow the installer to restore your computer to its original state. Otherwise, exit Setup and then try rerunning Setup to either complete the installation or uninstall the program.
Please check back next week for the continuation of this article. | DISCLAIMER: The content provided in this article is not warranted or guaranteed by Developer Shed, Inc. The content provided is intended for entertainment and/or educational purposes in order to introduce to the reader key ideas, concepts, and/or product reviews. As such it is incumbent upon the reader to employ real-world tactics for security and implementation of best practices. We are not liable for any negative consequences that may result from implementing any information covered in our articles or tutorials. If this is a hardware review, it is not recommended to open and/or modify your hardware. |
|  This article is excerpted from chapter four of Windows Vista: The Definitive Guide, written by William R. Stanek (O'Reilly, 2007; ISBN: 0596528000). Check it out today at your favorite bookstore. Buy this book now.
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