All software programs you care to use on your computer must be installed. It doesn't matter how they are aquired, from the store on diskettte, on CD-ROM, or downloaded from the Internet or any other source.
Return
First if your program is on Diskette or CD-ROM, insert the disk. After opening the Control Panel click on "Add/Remove Programs". Click the Install button followed by clicking the Finish button. Windows will check your diskette and CD-ROM drive and find the software program setup function. Note . . . most modern program installations from CD-ROM will now auto run. From this point, however the program is found, just follow the screen prompts. If the program is not on diskette or CD-ROM, it will not be auto found by Windows. This will result in producing a Browse button, which means you must find it your self. While studying Computer Navigation, you learned to use Windows Explorer. Clicking on Browse will produce the Windows Explorer. Just navigate to your desired file and select it. This is the way you would install a program that was downloaded to a folder in your computer.
Return As just mentioned, setup.exe is commonly the installation file, but there is more to know. Setup.exe is usually found in software installations that originate from compressed (zipped) files, meaning many files have been compressed into a single file name. This is usually the result of using Winzip or Pkzip, compressing a number of files into one file, such as myprogram.zip. When you uncompress (unzip) this type of file, all the files are returned to their original uncompreesed state, in which you will find Setup.exe. It should be obvious that this operation should be done in an empty folder, to avoid intermingling a number of unrelated files. A good way, download to a folder that only stores downloads, (C:\Download). Copy from this folder to a work folder (C:\Work) for unzipping and installing. When finished in the work folder, delete all contents, readying it for next time. Thus almost all computer users have need for the progarms, Winzip or Pkzip, both shareware. Note that the older Pkzip and Pkunzip programs (for MS-DOS) will truncate Windows long file names. For example the demo name above, myprogram.zip would become myprog~1.zip. This can keep programs from running, and to say the least, cause much confusion.
Download Winzip for Windows or Pkzip for Windows
Return Self extracting, ending with the extention .exe, could be myprogram.exe. This type is used mainly for MS-DOS programs but sometimes for Windows too. The main point, they also uncompress to their original state of several files, just like Pkunzip for MS-DOS. Just "double left click" the file name and it auto decompresses. Thus this file also should be copied to an empty folder prior to running.
Return
Installing Roxio's CD writing software (Easy CD/DVD Creator)
Return Using the typical installation method is not Installation Management. Because typical means "Default", which Webster defines as: a selection automatically used by a computer in the absence of a choice made by the user. This really means the computer is managing the user. So, what is there to really manage?
Harddrive partitions
Return Most Windows programs will install to C:\Program Files. What's wrong with that. The modern large hard drive, such as 60Gb comes from the factory as one large (60Gb) C:\drive. Easy mangement calls for the drive to be partitioned, say into 4 partitions, C, D, E, and F drives, each about 15Mb, each about 25% of 60Gb. Why . . . for easy managment, running Defrag, Scandisk, or any utility on a small drive is much faster than on a large drive. And if Windows crashes on C drive (C:\Windows), C drive can be reformatted with no effect on the other drives. Note all your personal data will remain intact on the other drives, but most programs will have to be reinstalled along with Windows. And many computers have more than one physical hard drive. Zip, Jazz, memory sticks, other removeable media drives, recordable and ReWriteable CD-ROMs are also becoming very common. Thus good managemet demands you have the ability to install software on any drive, not just use the "Default". It is easy to understand one drive area becoming overly full while other drives remain virtually empty. A little knowledge makes this task simple. If you desire to repartition, remember that all data will be lost if you use the standard method of using Fdisk.exe from the Run command or the MS-DOS prompt with a boot disk.. Just follow the Fdisk menus and note all drives must also be formatted with Format.exe. After formatting you will not have normal CD-ROM access for installing Windows. The best way around this is to first have or obtain a Windows 98 or Me "Boot Disk" which will provide CD-ROM access. It is obvious this partitioning method is best used on a new computer prior to many program installations. The "Bootdisk" method will not work for Windows XP. You can use the Boot disk to format and partition the harddrive but the computer must boot from the CD-ROM in order to install (this may envolve setting your computer BIOS (Basic Input Output System) making the CD-ROM the first boot device. Windows XP can also format the harddrive for you. It will offer to format in the older FAT32 (File Allocation Table 32 Bit) file system or the newer NTFS (Windows NT File System) file system. NTFS file system is the most efficient however if you want a multi operating system, say Windows 98 or Me requiring the FAT 32 file system and also Windows XP with the NTFS file system, neither file system can read the other system's files. In this case use FAT32 throughout, installing Windows98/Me on C Drive and Windows XP on any other drive or partition. Windows XP will automatically create a boot menu offering you the operating system options on each boot.
Partitions can be created without losing data, with the software program Partition Magic. More About Partition Magic from PowerQuest.
Now that you understand that programs may be installed on any drive, just how is it done? Most Windows programs provide more than one type of installation, Such as "Typical", "Custom", and sometimes "Run from Hard Drive or CD-ROM?" Just check a box or click on the desired button. The Typical is closely related to "Default". Custom usually offers you a choice of Program Options, and the option for what drive and folder name to install to.
Return Place the CD in the drive:
 Custom allows changing installation location
 The computer only receives instructions during the starting process All quality Windows software programs will offer similar options and instructions. The actual wording and menu locations may vary, but the object and results will be the same. While following the "screen prompts" watch for the various options. Included with Installation Management is Arranging your Programs Menu . . . In most cases it is easier to let this part be installed by "Default", then manually rearrange your Programs Menu. Each installed program will create it's own group of menus in your Programs Menu. If you install many programs and leave the "Default" menu locations, soon your Progams folder will be very long and can develop several screen columns.
Return
Communications Leave Windows standard groups such as Accessories and StartUp "as is" for functioning uniformity. Move all other program group folders into the most closely related master folders. Then when you click on Start followed with clicking Programs, all funtions will be much easier to find. Sounds easy, but how is it accomplished? You have already learned that a "left" mouse click is an Execution click, causing the function to begin. Like wise you have learned that a "right" mouse click only produces context menus, when they are available. The functions on the context menus then require the "left" execution click. Thus "left" clicks on Start then Programs lead you to executeable functions. Open the Start Menu with first a "right" click on the Windows Start emblem, producing a context menu that includes "Open" and "Open All Users" functions. Clicking only the Open button will open only that particualr user Start folder. Clicking the "All Users" button will open the Main Start folder that all users have access to. Unless you have multiple user profiles (a different desktop for each user) it is usually preferable to use the "All Users" Start folder. You can create User Profiles in the Control Panel, click "Settings" then "Control Panel". "Right" click your Start folder preference then "left" click the Open line. You are now inside the Start menu. You will see the Programs folder, the same Programs you see when "left" clicking Start. You can now continue opening any folders first with a "right" click followed with a "left" click on Open. But it is much faster to simply "double left click" any folder, it will open the same. Now make your master folders. A new folder can be created inside any other folder (commonly known as a subfolder). Do it just like from the Desktop or from Windows Explorer. First a "right" click in an open area, not on any icon, followed with a "left" click on New, followed with another "left" click on Folder. You will then see the mouse cursor blinking within a small box with the name New Folder. It is waiting for you to type in your new folder name. When finished "left click outside the box" and the new folder is finished. If you click outside the box while it is still named New Folder, that will be it's name. In this case, just "right" click it again, then "left click" Delete. Now for moving program folders or functions into newly created folders . . . This is actually the easiest part, just "hold down the left" mouse button on any folder or function icon. Then while holding down the "left" button, "Drag" it on top of it's new folder location, then release the button. If the new folder location is not immediately visible, drag the subject folder or icon in steps. Such as making any folder a small window for visibility, then dragging any folder or icon as near as possible to it's new location. Sometimes to the Desktop first, then to another folder. You can also accomplish this with the "right" button "Copy and Paste" or "Cut and Paste" menus (Copy leaves it where it is as well as the new Paste location. Cut removes it from the original location and it will only be in the Paste location). First select any folder or icon for copying with a single "left" click. Then "right" click and use the context menu command items. When necessary use the delete function to eliminate unwanted folders or icons. Tip . . . use the same procedures as above except use the "right button" and drag. When you release the button you will be offered the options of "Copy" or "Move".
Return It is very easy to create desktop (the opening Windows screen) shortcuts. "Right" click on any open desktop area (not on any icon), then "left" click on New, then on Shortcut. This will bring up the Browse button. Now just click Browse go to the subject program, the correct drive, folder, and locate the executeable file (usually ending with .exe). For example, the Windows XP MSPaint program, go to C:\ Drive or the drive with Windows , open the Windows folder then the System32 folder and find alphabetically mspaint.exe. and clicking it. Click OK going to the path screen which will be correct if you have picked the correct location and file name.
Now click Next bringing up the naming screen. The name will be there, probably mspaint.exe. This naming provides no function other than shortcut name, so name it anything you want. In this case probably use appropriate caps and eliminate the .exe, resulting in Desktops with wall to wall shortcut icons are quite common. Why? Because it is easier to run programs from a desktop icon than it is to dig through the Programs folder looking for the various executeable icons. In fact many program installations will automatically place their shortcut icon on your desktop. Initially it is a good idea. But you can soon accumulate 20, 30 or more icons, creating a maze that is difficult to quickly look through and find a given shortcut. Thus any advantage can soon be lost. Read on for a better way.
Return What could be better? A cascading menu accessed by clicking "Start" then "Quick Access". First it enables the possibility of only having 4 or 5 desktop shortcuts. The Windows icons that should not be moved along with one or two that are used many times each day. All other shortcuts can be placed in Quick Access. How is the Quick Access folder created within the Start Menu? Open the Start folder as described in "Managing Your Program Groups with Master Folders" . . . "Right" click on Start, followed by "left" clicking "Open" or "Open All Users". You are now inside the "Start" folder. Earlier we were creating master folders within the Programs folder. This time create a new folder within the Start folder. "Right" click an open area (not on any icon), choose New, then Folder, naming it Quick Access. Click outside the naming box after typing: Quick Access, and your new folder is ready to go. Now "double left click" it to Open it.
Now within your new Quick Access folder, create your shortcuts. This is done precisely the same as just described in . . . You can now access your shortcuts with two mouse clicks, one on Start, and one on Quick Access, producing a cascading menu with icons and text titles.
Return Other than hidden improvements, one of the the most valuable Windows features. The ability to use existing folders as Tool Bars on any edge of your screen, top, bottom, left, or right. You should already be aware that you can locate your Task Bar with these same options (Windows 95/98/NT4/2000/Me/XP), to any edge of the screen. Just hold down the "left" button on an open area of the Task Bar (not on any icon), and drag it to the preferred screen edge, releasing the button. Note, in Windows XP you must first right click an open area of the Task Bar then choose "Propertires" followed with unchecking "Lock the task bar". After moving it you can then resize it, as also you can your new Windows Tool Bar. Just touch the outside bar edge until your cursor turns into a "double headed arrow", then hold and drag in or out. So it is better to locate your new Tool Bar on an edge not occupied by the Task Bar. The ideal edge for the Task Bar is the left side, less interference with the bottom status lines, the upper right - and x close functions, etc. In this case the new Tool Bar could ideally be located on the bottom screen edge, set for "Always on Top and Auto Hide". These same options are available for the Task Bar. On the Task Bar or Tool Bar, "right" click an open area followed with a "left" click on Properties. As the Task Bar is in constant use, most users find "Auto Hide" an inconvenience. But as the Tool Bar is not accessed nearly so often, "Auto Hide" is very convenient. To activate either bar when using "Auto Hide' just touch the applicable screen edge with the mouse cursor, and the bar will pop up. You can always detect what edge by the off colored visible margin. Create the Windows screen edge Tool Bar in seconds. Open the Start Menu as earlier described, with a "right" click, then a "left" click on "Open" or "Open All Users". Now simply hold down the left button on the Quick Access folder, dragging it as far as it will go, to any screen edge, and releasing the button. Your Tool Bar appears. Note you can "right" click an open area, then "left" click Close, and your Tool Bar (not the Quick Access folder) is permanently deleted. No problem, just repeat the dragging process. You can't move the Tool Bar from screen edge to edge as you can the Task Bar. But you can easily relocate it with this Close and re-drag process. Note the Tool Bar image examples below, designed for the lower screen edge. The first example is "Default" before any changes.
 Default Windows XP Tool Bar
Return Located on the Desktop (unless it is disabled). To avoid this when you are sure you want to Delete, hold down the "Shift" key prior to clicking Delete. This will delete immediately rather than going to the Recycle Bin. You need to remember that when deleted items are sent to the Recycle Bin, no disk space is saved, as the file just changes locations. The Recycle Bin should be emptied on a regular basis. You can "right" click it and select Open to view its contents. "Double left" clicking will also Open it.
Return For older Windows versions it must be installled from "powertoy.exe". Download powertoy.exe here. Note that powertoy.exe is an a self decompresssing file as earlier described. Just as a .zip file, it will decompress from one file into a number of files, simply from "double left clicking" it. So as also mentioned earlier, this should take place in an empty folder. As suggested if you haven't done so make a folder for downloads and one for processing. Such as C:\Download and C:\Work. For some older Windows versions, find tweakui.inf on the installation CD-ROM for Windows . It is in the \tools\reskit\powertoy folder. "Right" click on the tweakui.inf file, then "left click on Install".
Note that Windows XP requires a special version of TweakUI. You can download Powertoys for Windows XP, including TweakUI XP free from Microsoft. Download here.
Four Ways to Install Programs |
