Windows 7 : Installing and Upgrading Programs - Common Installation Prompts (part 1) - Compliance check , The End User License Agreement

Even though every program is unique in some ways, you're likely to come across some common elements during a program installation. When you install a program, you probably won't see all the prompts described in the sections to follow, so don't be alarmed if your installation procedure is much simpler. (Be thankful instead.)

1. The initial CD or DVD prompt

Shortly after you insert the installation disk for a program, you may see a prompt like the one in Figure 1. Your choice there is easy — click the Run SETUP.EXE option (which might show an executable other than SETUP.EXE, as in Figure 1).

2. Enter an administrator password

Only people with administrative privileges can install programs in Windows 7. If you're signed into a limited account, you'll see a dialog box asking you to enter an administrative password. If you are already logged on with an administrative account, Windows 7 asks you if you want to allow the program to make changes to the computer. Click Yes to continue with Setup.

Figure 1. First prompt after inserting an installation CD.

3. The product key or serial number

Some programs (especially Microsoft's) require that you enter a product key or serial number to install the program. That number is usually on a sticker on the case or sleeve in which the program was delivered.

If you do need to enter a product key or serial number, you'll see a prompt similar to the example shown in Figure 2. Type in the product key exactly as provided by the software developer, and click Continue (or whatever button the installation program offers to continue the installation process).

4. Compliance check

If you are installing the Upgrade Edition of a new program, and already have the older version installed on your computer, likely the installation program will detect the existing product and move through the upgrade. In other situations, particularly where you don't already have a previous edition of the program installed, you might be prompted to insert the CD for the old version and/or enter the product key for the old version. This depends entirely on the requirements of the application's upgrade program. Follow the prompts displayed by the upgrade program to provide the requested information.

Figure 2. Enter a product key.

5. User information prompt

Some programs will offer prompts like the ones in Figure 3. These are optional, but useful. The username will automatically be entered as the Author name in any documents you create with the program. The initials will be used in settings where multiple people edit documents to identify changes you made to the document.

6. The End User License Agreement (EULA)

Just about every commercial program and most freeware and open source programs require that you accept the End User License Agreement (EULA) as part of the installation process. Figure 4 shows an example. The agreement is a legal document that defines your rights to the program, as well as the developer's retained rights.

The EULA differs from one program to the next. In most cases, the EULA gives you the right to install a program on one computer. However, that is not always the case. The EULA for Microsoft Office 2007 applications, for example, allows you to install the software on a licensed device (such as your desktop computer) and one portable device (such as your notebook PC). The intent of this clause is that you will only use the software on one computer at a time. What's more, you can access and use the software on the device remotely from any other device. For example, this means you can connect to your office PC from home and run the Office application remotely on your office PC (or vice versa).

Although many people never read the EULA when installing a program, you should take the time to do so. You'll discover interesting bits of information (such as being able to install Office on more than one computer), but also potentially discover possible problems. For example, I've seen EULAs for shareware and commercial programs that explain that the Setup program will install other, third-party applications along with the program, and that by accepting the EULA you are indicating your acceptance of those other programs. These programs might have nothing to do with the program you are installing, such as weather monitors, Internet Explorer add-ons and toolbars, and so on. Often the installation program will give you the option of not installing these additional programs, but that's not always the case. So, my best advice is to always read the EULA.

Figure 3. User information page.

You can't install the program if you don't accept the terms of the agreement, so assuming you are happy (or at least resigned) to the terms of the EULA, select (check) the I Accept option and click Next, Continue, or whatever button continues the installation process.