Well, it looks like you have learned the basics. It doesn't take long before you head to the store to find new software for your computer. That is the fun part! But, how do you install it the right way once you get home? How do you make sure you are buying the correct software?

First things first, before you make the purchase at the store, you need to make sure you are buying the right software for your computer. Each software program has its own minimum requirements. You can usually find the list on the bottom of the software box, or on the back. Before you head to the store, make sure you write down a few key things about your system.

• Speed and type of the processor - Ex: Pentium 4 2.4ghz
• Amount of Ram - Ex:512mb Ram
• Hard drive space remaining - Ex: 20gigs
• Video card - Note: This is usually only important for graphic intensive programs like video games. Ex: Geforce FX 5700
• Operating System - This is a very important specification to know. Most systems will be installed with Windows XP at this point in time. But, if you are using an Apple Macintosh, you will need to buy software specifically designed for it. Many programs that work with earlier versions of Windows will work with the newer versions. But, software that is designed for Windows XP usually won't be able to work with older versions of Windows.

You need to check to see how the software is distributed. If the software is included on Compact Discs(CD), and you don't have a CD-ROM drive... you won't be able to install it. More and more software is distributed on DVD, but everyone doesn't have a DVD drive installed.

Now that you have purchased your software, we need to install it. Any software worth the price you paid for it will have an auto-install feature enabled once you insert the disc into the CD Drive. Follow the instructions and your done. There are several things to note when installing. Make sure you remember what directory the files are being installed into. During the installation, you will need to specify which folder to use for the program files, the program options, and where to place the program icons in the Start menu. The default options are usually a safe bet.

If the program doesn't have an auto-run feature, there are several other ways to install the program. You can use the run command on the start menu or you can use Add/Remove Programs.

Using the Add/Remove Feature

1. Insert the software into the CD-ROM drive.
2. Click the start button, select settings, and then select control panel. (This method to open your control panel may be different depending on your operating system)
3. Double click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
4. Click the install button.
5. Follow the remaining instructions sent to your screen.

Note: Your Add/Remove programs icon in the control panel is also the place you need to go to remove your installed program. Make sure you make a note of this for the future. If the program you want to delete isn't listed, you need to find the documentation on the program to uninstall it the proper way. If that isn't an option, you can always delete all the files from the directory it was originally installed in. (This method is not advised. An improper un-installation may cause problems in the future. Many times your software will install important information in your registry which will need to be removed. Other programs on your computer may also need files in that directory. If you don't want to potentially ruin your computer, stay away from anything to do with "deleting".

Using the Run Command

You can use this feature to install your software as well. Here, you will need to know the exact name of the install file. Usually it is install.exe or setup.exe. If you are not sure, hit the browse button and search for it on your CD-ROM drive. In order to start the Run command, you must hit your start button, then select Run command.