Install a program without extras
The full sequence, from finding the official source to checking your startup apps after the install.
order in your software: how to install, update and remove programs safely
Softoban: a guide to keeping your software in order
A home computer rarely breaks all at once. More often it slowly fills up with programs you needed for one evening, toolbars nobody asked for and notifications everyone has learned to dismiss without reading. This reference explains how to install, update and remove programs so that a year from now you aren't digging through the clutter.
The safest program on your computer is the one you never installed because a built-in tool already did the job.
Where to start
Make sense of licenses
What “free,” “trial,” “open source” and “paid” really mean and how they differ in practice.
Fix what broke
A program won't start, won't uninstall, or your computer takes noticeably longer to boot after an install.
Spot a fake
Fake download sites, bogus update alerts and pirated versions that you end up paying for with your data.
Reference sections
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: how to install a program carefully, update it, review startup apps and uninstall it without leftovers. Plus our article catalog.
- Tools
Built-in system tools that help keep programs in order: the list of installed apps, startup apps, updates, recovery options and account permissions.
- Comparisons
How free, trial, open source and paid software differ, how an installer compares to a portable version, and which updates to install right away.
- If it fails
What to do when a program won't start, won't uninstall, keeps asking for admin rights, or when something unwanted shows up after an install.
- Security
Risks when looking for software: fake download sites, pirated versions, installers with bundled extras and fake update notifications in your browser.
- Glossary
A glossary of terms: installer, license, open source, startup apps, administrator rights, checksum, digital signature and other everyday software words.
- Questions
Answers about this reference, about installing and updating programs, and about keeping a home computer from turning into a storage room of forgotten apps.
A five-minute check before you install
Why do I need this program?
Describe the task in one sentence. If you can't, you may not need the program at all. Sometimes it turns out that a tool already built into your system can handle the job.
Who is the developer?
See whether it says who made the program and whether the developer has its own website, contact details and a product description. An anonymous program with no trace of its author is a reason to slow down, not to hurry.
Is the source official?
Get the program from the developer's website or from your system's built-in app store. “Everything in one place” bundles and pages covered in bright green buttons are not official sources.
What is the license?
Find out whether the program is completely free, works for a limited time or requires payment after a trial period. It's better to read this before installing than after a sudden pop-up asking you to pay.
What does the installer offer?
Read every installer screen carefully. Besides the program itself, it may offer a browser toolbar, a new home page or another program as a “bonus.” You can usually uncheck those boxes.
The essentials
Can I get programs from this site?
No. There are no installation files here and there never will be: we don't host programs or files and don't link to them. This reference explains how to choose a program and install it yourself from the official source.
Does free mean safe?
Not necessarily. Being free says something about the price, not about quality or honesty. A free program from an official source can be excellent, while a “free” copy of a paid program from a shady page can be a trap.
Should I install every update?
Security updates, yes, and promptly: they fix vulnerabilities that have been found. Feature updates can wait a bit, especially if you need the program for work right now.
How do I remove a program completely?
Start with your system's standard method, the list of installed apps. After uninstalling, check your startup apps and browser extensions: sometimes traces remain there that are worth removing by hand.
About the project
A different website used to run on this domain, and later unrelated spam pages appeared here. Those materials are lost, we do not reproduce them, and this reference has nothing to do with them. All we inherited from the domain's past is the name.
We write about keeping the software on a home computer in order: choosing programs for the task, finding official sources, reading the license, getting through the installer without unwanted checkboxes, updating, limiting permissions and uninstalling. We do not distribute software, do not link to installation files, do not publish rankings and do not recommend specific products.
Read next
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: how to install a program carefully, update it, review startup apps and uninstall it without leftovers. Plus our article catalog.
- Comparisons
How free, trial, open source and paid software differ, how an installer compares to a portable version, and which updates to install right away.
- If it fails
What to do when a program won't start, won't uninstall, keeps asking for admin rights, or when something unwanted shows up after an install.
- Security
Risks when looking for software: fake download sites, pirated versions, installers with bundled extras and fake update notifications in your browser.
- Glossary
A glossary of terms: installer, license, open source, startup apps, administrator rights, checksum, digital signature and other everyday software words.
Sources
- Documentation from operating system and software developers (general principles)
- Softoban editorial materials
These recommendations are written in general terms as of the date they were prepared. Installer windows, menu items and the names of system tools vary and change with updates, so check your system's help and the program developer's documentation rather than relying on how things looked last time.