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It's a fact that during the life of your computer, you will want
to install software. There is nothing wrong with this.
However, you should be aware of what you are installing, you shouldn't
just install software 'willy-nilly' as it were. The installation
process will probably include installing required files into the
operating system's folders as well as it's own folder and creating
entries into the system's registry. The risk here is replacing system
files with different or non-compatible versions.
Before you start panicking about installing anything on your computer,
this process is a normal occurrence and the installation routine
in most software applications will handle this admirably. However
you may well come across some applications that don't, and these
are the ones that could potentially stop another program installed
from running correctly, including Windows itself.
Newer versions of Windows have a mechanism to protect system files,
called 'file protection'. This will prevent newer versions of files
getting overwritten with older versions, amongst other things. However
you cannot always rely on it.
Other considerations are that of the registry. The registry is
a central point for hardware information, file relationships and
software controls for a Windows PC. When you install software, the
registry gets updated. When you remove the software, those entries
in the registry should get removed, but sometimes they don't. This
gives the possibility of the registry growing and growing, and as
the PC uses the registry continually, it will slow the PC down considerably.
There are a number of pointers that I follow when installing software...
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Ensure the software you are about to install is
compatible with the version of Windows you are running. |
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Ensure the software you are about to install is
compatible with the hardware in your PC, and it is above the
required minimum specification. The minimum specification is
usually set for the software to be operational, not usable.
There is a difference. |
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Don't install software because it's there to be
installed. You need to ask yourself, do you really need to install
it? |
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Try not to install an earlier version of a piece
of software that is already installed, unless you know exactly
what you're doing. This will cause a mismatch of file versions,
and potentially stop them both from working. |
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Don't forget to virus scan the application prior
to installation. |
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Remember to close all applications and utilities before installing
any software. This includes antivirus software (you should have
just scanned the software anyway), and firewalls. |
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Check the software manufacturers web site for
any updates and patches. Apply these to fix any problems you
might encounter. Follow the manufacturer's recommended procedures
for applying the updates. |
If you follow these simple pointers, you won't have any problems
in installing the software you need. However remember to follow
the correct software
removal procedures if you don't need the software anymore.
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