WHAT  IS Software

Sometimes abbreviated as S/W, Software is a collection of instructions that enables a user to interact with the computer or have the computer perform specific tasks for them. Without any software the computer would be useless. For example, you wouldn't be able to interact with the computer without a software operating system. Almost all software purchased at a retail store and online is included in a box similar to the one shown to the right, this box usually contains all the disks (floppy diskette, CD, DVD, or Blu-ray) required to install the program onto the computer, manuals, warranty, and other important documentation. In the picture to the right, is an example of what a Microsoft Excel software box would look like.

How to install a software program

 

 

 General Tips

• Make sure your computer meets the requirements of the program, game, or utility you are attempting to install.
• The manuals for the program or the readme file located in the same directory as the install commonly contain exact instructions on how to install a program.
• After installing or during the installation, a program may need to install other programs, files, or utilities before it is able to run. If this is the case, the program will commonly prompt you to install the program or you may need to run a separate install before the program can be fully used.
• When installing a program, utility, or game, it is always a good idea first to close or disable any other programs that are running.
• After installing a new program if it prompts you to reboot the computer, do it.

 Microsoft Windows users

Many software programs, games, and utilities have an AutoPlay feature that will automatically start the setup screen for the software program when the CD is placed in the computer. If your program, game, or utility contains this feature, run the installation through the screen that appears after inserting the disc.

If you are installing a program, game, or utility that does not contain this feature or you are installing a program from a floppy diskette, follow the below steps.

1. Open My Computer.
2. Within the My Computer window, open the drive that contains the installation files. For example, if the files are on a floppy diskette, open the A: drive. If they're on a CD or DVD open the D: drive or the letter of the disc drive.
3. Within the drive that contains your files, locate either a setup or install file. Double-clicking on this file should start the installation for the program, game, or utility. If you see multiple setups or install files, try to locate the Application file or double-click each of setup or install files until you find the file that starts the installation. Many times the icons associated with the installation files have the same name.

An alternate method of starting the installation in Microsoft Windows

1. Click Start and Run.
2. In the Run Window, type x:\setup or x:\install where x is the letter of the drive you wish to start the installation from. For example, if you are attempting to install a program from the floppy disk drive you would type a:\setup or a:\install. Usually with a CD or DVD it would be d:\setup but may be a different drive letter depending on your computer configuration.