How to use the Add or Remove Programs Utility

The third installment in our basic computer training online course deals with add or remove programs which is the third icon in the control panel. Add or remove programs allows you to add and remove programs, remove windows programs and features as well as setup various defaults and access toprograms. This program is a necessity especially with programs that do not have a built in uninstall option. Also you are often given the ability to custom uninstall and repair a program if this is needed. It is also allows you to tweak various aspects of the Windows operating system and add and remove components as you see fit (certified copy of windows is needed for that). Lastbut not least you are able to change the defaults and access to various programs.

How to access the add or remove programs.

The easiest way to access add or remove programs is to click the start button and then find and double left click control panel (see below).

Next double left click on the add or remove programs icon and viola up comes the following box (see below).

Notice how next to the highlighted button it has an option on the right to remove. You can click that button and remove the program. There are other options as well such as those when removing other programs which allow you to change/remove (see below).

By clicking that you are given several options usually on an uninstall program. There are usually only a few options such as modify, repair and remove (see below).

Next you can click to add new software and you are given the option to add new programs through a cd-rom or floppy or you can add programs from Microsoft the Windows Update site (see below).

Clicking the cd or floppy and it brings up a wizard and then asks you to insert a cd or floppy, scans for it and then walks you through the install of the program (see below). It is a fairly simple wizard but as always if you are confused or need more assistance just shoot our staff an email through the contact us page.

The Add programs through Microsoft option allows you to click the Windows Update button and then you can access the windows update site (see below). There is an article about updating windows using the windows update site. It is important to keep your computer updated for various reasons not the least of which is better functionality. It also keeps you safe from security holes and operating system bugs.

Windows Update Article

The next button on the left is add or remove windows components and this allows you to add or remove various components or windows programs you may want or need. Of course as stated earlier you need a registered copy of Windows in order to do this. Here is an example of the screen that appears when you click the add or remove Windows components button (see below)

Set program access and defaults is an excellent unused portion of the add or remove utility. It allows you to select various programs that will be used as defaults and such for various operations (see below). Notice there are three categories Microsoft, non-Microsoft and custom. You can use various programs or set them up to be used whenever a certain type of program is called or used.

In summation the add remove utility is another tool in your arsenal of both removing annoying programs and adding beneficial ones and should definitely be utilized to at the very least remove annoying programs that somehow wedge themselves into your operating system. Good luck and happy computing and as always if you have any questions please use the contact us page or post them in the forum.

From Add or Remove Programs to Sitemap