Downloading & Installing Software

A Module of the CYC Course - HomeConnect

9-22-10

Difference between Downloading and Installing

• Downloading is the process of obtaining software from a remote computer and storing it on your own

• Installing is the process of placing a program into use on your computer

Software Download Needed?

• Go to Google Docs and open the Intended Use document you created in the Purchasing a Computer class.

• Share with the class how you and your family will use a computer at home.

Downloading

Internet

Your Computer

Update Your Intended Use Document

• Return to your Intended Use document you created in the Purchasing a Computer class.

• For each online activity listed, note whether that activity: – requires a software download, – takes place online without a software download or – can be accomplished offline without a download.

Downloading Software

• Download from the company or organization website – such as www.microsoft.com

• Download from a software repository– It can be a company sponsored site like

download.cnet.com– Or it can be an open source or community driven

such as sourceforge.net

Download System Requirements

• If you do need to download software, check to make sure your computer has the minimum system requirements to run the software.

Microsoft Office 2010 System Requirements

CYC Recommended Minimum Specifications for a Used Desktop

• 2.0 ghz processor• 14” LCD Monitor• 2GB Ram• 80 GB HD• Wireless WiFi access (b/g)• OS Windows XP Professional or Win7• Microsoft Office 2007 Basic

Software Installation System Requirements

• How do we find out what the system requirements are for software before we download and install it?– Search on the company website.– Search on a search engine.

• Compare the software’s system requirements to the minimum system specifications recommended by CYC.

Tips for Downloading

• Choose a common location for saving downloaded files – Ex. Desktop, My Documents, Downloads (folder

within My Documents)

• Know where you are downloading from– Is it a reputable site?

• Know what you are downloading– Is it program? What does it do?– Is it a data file such as a picture or music?

Install Software

Copies all necessary files to the proper locations and makes the operating system aware of what changes occurred.

Tips for Installing Software

• Installing vs. Copying– Installing runs a program that places files in specific

locations– Copying has the user place the files where they

wish

• Some files need to be “unzipped” before installing.– Files can be compressed to save space– Example file extensions are .zip, .tar, .rar

More Tips for Installing Software

• Close all other programs open on your computer.

• Read each prompt carefully. If you do not understand the information in a prompt, write it down and ask someone.

• Be aware of the license agreement– Most software will not install if you do not agree to

the license agreement.

• Default vs. Custom installation• Using the default settings on where software

files are located is fine for most users.

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Creative Commons License

• Curriculum content created by Connect Your Community, a project of OneCommunity, funded by the federal Broadband Technology Opportunities Program.

• This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/