Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

  • Understand software installation requirements
  • Install MS Office on Windows
  • Install SPSS and other statistical software
  • Troubleshoot common installation issues
  • Manage installed software

Pre-Installation Checklist

Before installing any software, verify the following:

1. System Requirements

Check if your computer meets the minimum requirements:

  • Operating System version (Windows 10, Windows 11, etc.)
  • Processor (CPU) speed and type
  • RAM (Memory) capacity
  • Hard disk space available
  • Display resolution
  • Internet connection (for online activation)

2. Administrator Rights

  • Ensure you have administrator privileges on the computer
  • Some software requires admin rights to install

3. Antivirus Considerations

  • Temporarily disable antivirus if it blocks legitimate software
  • Re-enable immediately after installation

4. Backup Important Data

  • Create a system restore point before major installations
  • Backup important files

Installing Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office is the most widely used productivity suite in business environments.

Method 1: Installing from Microsoft 365 (Cloud-based)

Step 1: Sign in to Microsoft Account

  1. Go to office.com
  2. Sign in with your Microsoft account
  3. If you have a subscription (Microsoft 365), you’ll see “Install Office”

Step 2: Download the Installer

  1. Click “Install Office” or “Install Apps”
  2. Click “Office 365 apps” to download the installer
  3. Save the OfficeSetup.exe file to your Downloads folder

Step 3: Run the Installer

  1. Locate the downloaded OfficeSetup.exe file
  2. Double-click to run the installer
  3. Click “Yes” when prompted by User Account Control
  4. The installation will begin automatically

Step 4: Wait for Installation

  • The installer downloads and installs all Office apps
  • This may take 15-30 minutes depending on internet speed
  • You can continue using your computer during installation

Step 5: Activate Office

  1. Open any Office app (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
  2. Sign in with your Microsoft account
  3. Office will activate automatically

Method 2: Installing from DVD/USB

Step 1: Insert Installation Media

  1. Insert the Office DVD or USB drive
  2. The setup should auto-run
  3. If not, navigate to the drive and double-click Setup.exe

Step 2: Enter Product Key

  1. Enter the 25-character product key
  2. Format: XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX
  3. Click “Continue”

Step 3: Accept License Agreement

  1. Read the Microsoft Software License Terms
  2. Check “I accept the terms of this agreement”
  3. Click “Continue”

Step 4: Choose Installation Type

  • Recommended: Installs all standard Office apps
  • Custom: Choose which apps to install and where

Step 5: Complete Installation

  1. Click “Install Now”
  2. Wait for installation to complete
  3. Click “Close” when finished

Verifying Office Installation

  1. Click Start Menu
  2. Look for Office apps:
    • Microsoft Word
    • Microsoft Excel
    • Microsoft PowerPoint
    • Microsoft Outlook
  3. Open Word to verify it works

Installing SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences)

SPSS is essential for statistical analysis in business research.

Installation Steps

Step 1: Obtain SPSS Installer

  • Download from IBM website (with valid license)
  • Or use installation media provided by your institution

Step 2: Extract Installation Files

  1. If downloaded as ZIP, extract all files
  2. Navigate to the extracted folder

Step 3: Run Setup

  1. Locate setup.exe or SPSS_Statistics_Installer.exe
  2. Right-click and select “Run as administrator”
  3. Click “Yes” on User Account Control prompt

Step 4: Choose Language

  1. Select your preferred language
  2. Click “OK”

Step 5: Welcome Screen

  1. Read the welcome message
  2. Click “Next”

Step 6: License Agreement

  1. Read the license agreement
  2. Select “I accept the terms in the license agreement”
  3. Click “Next”

Step 7: Enter License Information

  1. Enter your name and organization
  2. Enter the license code (provided by your institution or IBM)
  3. Click “Next”

Step 8: Choose Installation Directory

  1. Default location: C:\Program Files\IBM\SPSS\Statistics\29
  2. Change if needed (ensure sufficient space)
  3. Click “Next”

Step 9: Select Installation Type

  • Typical: Recommended for most users
  • Custom: Advanced users who want to select specific components

Step 10: Complete Installation

  1. Click “Install”
  2. Wait for installation (5-15 minutes)
  3. Click “Finish” when complete

Activating SPSS

First Launch:

  1. Open IBM SPSS Statistics
  2. Choose license type:
    • Authorized user license (individual)
    • Network license (institutional)
  3. Enter license code if prompted
  4. Click “OK”

Installing Other Common Software

Installing Google Chrome

  1. Visit google.com/chrome
  2. Click “Download Chrome”
  3. Accept terms and click “Accept and Install”
  4. Run ChromeSetup.exe
  5. Chrome installs automatically

Installing Zoom

  1. Visit zoom.us/download
  2. Click “Download” under Zoom Client
  3. Run ZoomInstaller.exe
  4. Sign in or join a meeting to complete setup

Installing Adobe Reader

  1. Visit get.adobe.com/reader
  2. Uncheck optional offers if you don’t want them
  3. Click “Download Acrobat Reader”
  4. Run the installer
  5. Follow on-screen instructions

Managing Installed Software

Viewing Installed Programs

Windows 10/11:

  1. Open Settings (Windows + I)
  2. Go to Apps > Apps & features
  3. View list of all installed programs

Uninstalling Software

Method 1: Settings

  1. Open Settings > Apps > Apps & features
  2. Find the program you want to remove
  3. Click on it and select “Uninstall”
  4. Follow the uninstall wizard

Method 2: Control Panel

  1. Open Control Panel
  2. Click “Programs” > “Programs and Features”
  3. Right-click the program
  4. Select “Uninstall”

Updating Software

Automatic Updates:

  • Most modern software updates automatically
  • Check settings to enable auto-update

Manual Updates:

  1. Open the application
  2. Go to Help > Check for Updates
  3. Or visit the software website to download latest version

Common Installation Issues and Solutions

Issue 1: “Insufficient Disk Space”

Solution:

  • Free up disk space by deleting unnecessary files
  • Use Disk Cleanup utility
  • Move files to external storage

Issue 2: “Installation Failed” or “Error Code”

Solutions:

  • Restart computer and try again
  • Run installer as administrator
  • Disable antivirus temporarily
  • Check system requirements
  • Download installer again (file may be corrupted)

Issue 3: “Product Key Invalid”

Solutions:

  • Verify you’re entering the correct key
  • Check for typos (0 vs O, 1 vs I)
  • Ensure key hasn’t been used on maximum allowed devices
  • Contact vendor support

Issue 4: “Program Won’t Open After Installation”

Solutions:

  • Restart computer
  • Reinstall the program
  • Update Windows
  • Check for compatibility issues
  • Run as administrator

Issue 5: “Installation Stuck/Frozen”

Solutions:

  • Wait patiently (some installations take time)
  • Check if installer is downloading files (monitor network activity)
  • If truly frozen, restart computer and try again
  • Boot in Safe Mode and attempt installation

Best Practices for Software Installation

  1. Always download from official sources to avoid malware
  2. Read installation prompts carefully to avoid installing unwanted bundled software
  3. Keep installation files for future reinstallation
  4. Create system restore point before major installations
  5. Install one program at a time to identify issues easily
  6. Keep software updated for security and features
  7. Document license keys in a secure location
  8. Uninstall unused software to free up resources

Key Takeaways

  • Check system requirements before installing software
  • Administrator rights are usually required for installation
  • Microsoft Office can be installed from cloud (Microsoft 365) or physical media
  • SPSS requires a valid license code for activation
  • Use Settings or Control Panel to manage installed programs
  • Always download software from official sources to ensure security
  • Keep software updated for best performance and security

Next Steps

Now that you understand software installation, the next lesson covers:

  • Setting up network connections
  • Configuring IP addresses
  • Installing and configuring antivirus software
  • Setting up email clients

📚 Continue to: Network Setup