Installing a program

You can install programs, also called applications, from the Windows Store, a CD or DVD, a website or from a network.

Note

Note

Devices running Windows RT 8.1 can only install apps (programs) from the Windows Store.

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To install an app from the Windows Store

  1. Open Start by swiping in from the right edge of the screen and then tapping Start. (Or, if you're using a mouse, point to the lower-left corner of the screen, move your mouse all the way into the corner, and then click Start.)

  2. Tap or click Store.

  3. Tap or click an app, then tap or click Buy, Try or Install.

To install a program from a CD or DVD

  1. Insert the disc into your PC, then follow the instructions on your screen. Administrator permission required You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.

  2. If install doesn't start automatically, check your AutoPlay settings.

    1. Tap or click to open AutoPlay.

    2. Under Software, choose Install or run program from your media.

Note

Note

If the program still doesn't start installing automatically, check to see if it came with installation instructions. If it didn't come with instructions, you can browse through the folder structure of the disc and open the program setup file, usually called Setup.exe or Install.exe.

To install a program from the Internet

Before you download and install programs from the Internet, make sure you trust the publisher of the program and the website offering the program.

  1. In your web browser, tap or click the link to the program.

  2. Do one of the following:

    • To install the program now, tap or click Open or Run, then follow the instructions on your screen. Administrator permission required You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.

    • To install the program later, tap or click Save or Save as to download the program. This is a safer option because you can scan the program for viruses before you install it. When you're ready to install it, double-tap or double-click the file, then follow the instructions on your screen. Administrator permission required You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.

To install a program from a network

If your PC is on a network (such as a corporate network) that has programs you can add, you might be able to install programs from Control Panel.

  1. Tap or click to open Get Programs.

  2. Tap or click a program in the list, then tap or click Install.

  3. Follow the instructions on your screen. Administrator permission required You might be asked for an admin password or to confirm your choice.

Uninstalling an app on the Start screen

  1. Open Start by swiping in from the right edge of the screen and then tapping Start. (Or, if you're using a mouse, point to the lower-left corner of the screen, move your mouse all the way into the corner, and then click Start.)

  2. If the app doesn't appear on the Start screen, to see all apps, slide up from the middle of the screen, or, if you’re using a mouse, click the down arrow.

  3. Once you've found the application, press and hold or right-click the tile to select it, then tap or click Uninstall.

    For some programs, you'll be taken to the Programs and Features page in Control Panel.

    1. Tap or click the program, and then tap or click Uninstall or Uninstall/Change. If neither of these choices is available and Change is, tap or click that.

    2. Follow the instructions on screen.

    Some applications, such as Windows accessories and Windows Store, can't be uninstalled.

Uninstalling a program in Control Panel

If for some reason the program has no tile on the Start screen, you can try uninstalling the program in Control Panel.

  1. Tap or click to open Control Panel.

  2. Under Programs tap or click Uninstall programs.

  3. Tap or click the program, then tap or click Uninstall or Uninstall/Change. If neither of these choices is available and Change is, tap or click that.

  4. Follow the instructions on the screen.

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