So far on this channel, I have recommended two pieces of software: Google Chrome and LastPass, and I walked you through the process of Installing Chrome in some detail, but not so for LastPass. I have a lot more software to recommend, so I thought I’d step you through the process of installing software so you can be confident that you are doing it safely and properly.
There are several things to think about when you want to install some software. What do I want, where do I get it from, how do I install it?
Deciding what you want is a fairly obvious one, you might have seen a recommendation from this or another YouTube channel, you might have seen something on the TV, heard it on the radio or had it recommended by a friend. If you know exactly what you want you can often find it by going directly to the manufacturer’s website or googling the name of the product. Be aware though, not everything is always exactly as it seems. It is possible that nefarious groups or individuals can buy website domain names similar to or with subtle misspellings of actual product names.
Once you are sure that you have the correct page, you can buy, or if it’s a free program (as many of the ones _I_ recommend will be) download it to your computer. Downloading a program simply collects the required installation files from the seller’s website and puts them into the Downloads Folder of your computer. You will know from Episode 14 that you can find the Downloads folder by going to Windows Explorer, or you can usually find a link to the installer at the bottom of the chrome window that you used to start the download.
To install the program, simply double-click on the installer icon. The program will then likely step you through several different screens telling you about the program, asking you to accept the license agreement, asking where to install and possibly offering other software that can be installed at the same time. I urge you not to just keep clicking next, but at least get a quick understanding of what each screen is asking before you press next, and don’t feel pressured to accept an offer of a program just because it comes with another piece of software that you do want. Make your own decisions, don’t let others make it for you.
Many programs, once installed, will either start themselves automatically or place an icon for you on the desktop. If that’s not the case you will find it in the programs list in the start menu, and from there you can pin it to the start menu, or even the taskbar if it is something you use often.
That’s all there is to it, enjoy your new program!