Managing Software on Windows Vista - Reconfiguring, Repairing, or Uninstalling Software

Once you install software, you can manage its installation using the Programs and Features page in the Control Panel. More than any other version of Windows, Windows Vista takes advantage of the features of the installer program used with your software. This means you’ll have more configuration options than you otherwise would.

Figure 4-9.  Choosing your computer's global defaults

For example, previously, most software allowed you to rerun Setup to uninstall the program but didn’t necessarily allow you to rerun Setup to change or repair the software. Windows Vista surfaces these features to make it easier to manage your software.

You can use the Programs and Features page to reconfigure, repair, or uninstall software by following these steps:

1. Click Start -> Control Panel.

2. In the Control Panel, click Uninstall a Program under Programs.
   
3. In the Name list, click the program you want to work with and then select one of the following options on the toolbar:
   
   
   • Change, to modify the program’s configuration
     
   • Repair, to repair the program’s installation
     
   • Uninstall, to uninstall the program
     
   • Uninstall/Change, to uninstall or change a program with an older installer program

Next: Viewing and Managing Currently Running Programs >>
 

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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.