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Adding and Removing Programs in Windows Vista

Written on May 15, 2008 by
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Introduction

Adding software is usually done with the installation disk or executable, while adding Windows components can be done within the "Add and Remove Programs" utility. In order to change or remove a program in Windows Vista, you must either use the "uninstall" utility bundled with the program you wish to remove, or more often, use the "Program and Features" option in the Windows Vista control panel (with the advent of Windows Vista, the Windows XP "Add and Remove Programs" utility was renamed to "Programs and Features"). DO NOT delete folders under your C: drive in an attempt to remove an unwanted program-this can cause serious problems with your operating system, often leading to full operating system reinstalls. The following instructions apply to all versions of Vista.

How to Remove Programs

  1. Click on the "Start" button, located in the lower left corner of your screen.
  2. Click on "Control Panel" to access control panel options.
  3. The system may warn you that changing these options may negatively affect your system. Ignore this warning and proceed.
  4. Click on Programs, then Programs and Features.
  5. Select the program you wish to change or uninstall. To uninstall, click uninstall and follow the directions. To change or repair a program, click on change or repair.
  6. It is possible that you'll receive no further notification of the action from Windows, or it may start a third-party program to assist with removal developed by the software manufacturer.


Things to Remember:
  • You may be prompted for an administrative password or some kind of confirmation-just enter it and proceed.
  • If you can't find the program, it may have been made for an earlier version of Windows, and you'll need to check the software's documentation.

How to Add/Remove Windows Components

In order to add or remove Windows components, you must be an administrator on your computer.

  1. Click on the "Start" button, located in the lower left corner of your screen.
  2. Click on "Control Panel" to access control panel options.
  3. The system may warn you that changing these options may negatively affect your system. Ignore this warning and proceed.
  4. Click on Programs, then Programs and Features.
  5. Click Turn Windows Features on or off, located on the left side of the screen.
  6. Follow the instructions in the Windows Features Wizard.



Things to Remember:
  • If an item is checked in the Windows Features Wizard, it's already installed.
  • If you installed Windows components but did not configure them at installation, there will be a list. Click configure and follow the instructions.


If you experience technical difficulty during or after this process, please contact our technical support department for assistance.

Puget Systems
Technical Support Department
425.458.0273 x2
support@pugetsystems.com

Tags: Support, Operating Systems, Windows Vista, Software