The update that arrives at the wrong time
Your laptop says: "Updates ready. Restart now?" You are in the middle of homework.
Is it safe to wait? Why do updates matter? And can you copy a program you like and give it to a friend? This lesson answers all three.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can install, update and remove software, and say what a licence (the rules for using a program) allows.
Key words
| Word | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Install | to put a program on a computer so it can run | |
| Uninstall | to remove a program properly | |
| Version | the number that says which release a program is | 2.4.1 |
| Update | a new release that fixes faults or adds features | |
| Licence | the rules for how you may use a program | |
| Open source | the code is public and you may read and change it | |
| Subscription | a licence you pay for again each month or year |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Starter
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Starter
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Installing and uninstalling
To install software, you run an installer, or you get an app from a store. The program copies its files to the computer and sets itself up.
To uninstall, use the system's own way. On Windows, open the list of apps in Settings and press Uninstall. Do not just delete the program's folder. Settings and other files would be left behind, and the system may still list it.
Version numbers
A version number says which release you have. It often has three parts, such as 2.4.1. A bigger first number usually means a bigger change.
You find it in the program's About page or Help menu. Technicians check it to see if a program is up to date, or to match what a user needs.
Check
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Check
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.