Page 400 - Windows 10 May 2019 Update The Missing Manual: The Book That Should Have Been in the Box

Many PC companies sweeten the pot by preinstalling other programs, such

as Quicken, Microsoft Works, Microsoft Office, more games, educational
software, and so on. The great thing about preloaded programs is that they
don’t need installing. Just double-click their desktop icons, or choose their
names from the Start menu, and you’re off and working.

Sooner or later, though, you’ll probably want to exploit the massive library
of Windows software and add to your collection. Today, almost all new
desktop software comes to your PC from the internet. (Software is

sometimes still sold on a CD or DVD, but that happens less and less often.)

Desktop Apps

When you buy or download a standard desktop program (iTunes, Quicken,

what have you), an installer program generally transfers the software files
to the correct places on your hard drive. The installer also adds the new
program’s name to the Start menu and tells Windows about the kinds of

files (file extensions) it can open.

For best results, answer these questions before you install anything:

Are you an administrator? Windows derives part of its security
and stability from handling new software installations with
suspicion. You can’t install most programs unless you have an

Administrator account (“The Types of Accounts”).

Does it run in Windows 10? If the software or its website

specifically says it’s compatible, great. Install away. If not, find out
when a compatible version is due. See the box on the facing page

for compatibility tips.

Is the coast clear? Exit all your open programs. You should also
turn off your virus-scanning software, which may take the arrival

of your new software the wrong way.

Are you prepared to backtrack? If you’re at all concerned about

the health and safety of the software you’re about to install,