Softobanorder in your software: how to install, update and remove programs safely

An independent reference on choosing, installing and maintaining software. It does not distribute programs or files and is not affiliated with developers or with the former site on this domain.

If it fails

Troubleshooting

Most software trouble has nothing to do with a broken computer. Usually the culprit is one bad install, one unread window or one update that didn't agree with your setup. Here you'll find common complaints and the order in which to look for the cause before reinstalling the whole system.

Before you blame your computer, think back to what you installed last week and which windows you closed without reading.

— Editor's note

How this section works: it lists symptoms and their most likely explanations, without tying them to a specific system. If your computer won't boot at all, regularly shuts itself off or shows errors before you even sign in, it may be a hardware fault, and it's better to contact a technician.

Common situations

A program won't start.

Check whether it works with your system and whether it needs additional components mentioned on the developer's website. Try restarting your computer: sometimes an installation is waiting for a restart. If the program stopped starting after an update, check its official page, where known issues are often listed.

Unwanted toolbars and programs appeared after an install.

Most likely the installer offered extras and the boxes stayed checked. Open the list of installed apps, sort it by date and remove whatever appeared at the same time as the program you wanted. Then check your browser extensions, home page and default search engine.

My computer takes longer to start up.

The cause is almost always startup apps: new programs like to launch along with the system. Open the task manager, find the list of startup apps and disable everything you don't need right after turning the computer on. The programs aren't removed and will still run when you open them.

A program asks for administrator rights.

That's normal when installing, updating or changing system settings. It's suspicious if a program asks for these rights every time it starts even though it doesn't do anything system-related, or if the request pops up unexpectedly without any action on your part. In that case, decline and find out what exactly it needs.

A program won't uninstall.

Close it completely, including its icon near the clock, and try again through the list of installed apps. If that doesn't work, restart your computer and try once more. Some developers release their own removal tool; look for it only on the official website.

An error appeared after an update.

Restart your computer and check whether a fix has been released: developers often put out another update quickly. If you need the program right now and there's no fix yet, you can roll back to a restore point created before the update and wait.

If something went wrong after an install

  1. Remember what changed

    Write down which programs, updates and drivers were installed before the problems began. The list of installed apps sorted by date will help you piece things together.

  2. Roll back to a restore point

    If a restore point was created before the install, go back to it. System settings and programs will be rolled back, while your personal documents usually stay in place.

  3. Uninstall the program using system tools

    If there's nothing to roll back to, uninstall the suspicious program through the list of installed apps, along with everything that arrived with it.

  4. Check your startup apps

    Open the list of programs that launch with the system and disable any unfamiliar or unnecessary entries.

  5. Check your browser extensions

    Remove any extensions you didn't install yourself, and restore your home page and default search engine.

  6. Scan your computer with built-in protection

    Run a full scan with the built-in security tool. If it finds something, follow its recommendations, not the advice of random pop-up windows.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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.