Windows Vista: how to install software and drivers

Why does Windows Vista keep asking for permission? Find out, and learn how to install a program or a hardware driver and how to remove or undo an installation that causes trouble.

Before you start

Create a restore point so you can go back. Select Start then Control Panel then System and Maintenance then System, then Advanced system settings on the left and approve the prompt. On the System Protection tab, select Create, name the restore point and select Create again.

Where to get software and drivers

Windows Update for Vista no longer works normally, so look elsewhere:

• The disc that came with the device or computer.
• The support page on the device maker's website. Choose your exact model, then Windows Vista, 32-bit or 64-bit.
• For programs, the software maker's own website, if it still offers a Vista version.

Install a program

1. Sign in with an administrator account if you have one, and close other programs.
2. Insert the disc, or open the folder with the downloaded file.
3. Double-click the installer, usually setup.exe or a file ending in .msi.
4. When a window asks for your permission to continue, check that it names the program you meant to start, then allow it. This is User Account Control, Vista's way of confirming that a change is intended. A standard account is asked for an administrator's password.
5. Follow the installer's screens. Accept the license only if you agree, and untick extra offers you do not want.
6. Restart if asked, then open the program from Start then All Programs.

If the installer will not run properly

1. Right-click the .exe installer, then select Run as administrator, and approve the prompt. (This choice is not offered for .msi files.)
2. If it still fails, right-click the installer, select Properties, then the Compatibility tab.
3. Tick Run this program in compatibility mode for and choose an earlier version of Windows, or tick Run this program as an administrator. Select OK and try again.

Microsoft warns that running an unknown program with administrator rights is a security risk. Do this only for software you trust.

Install a driver

A driver is the software that lets Windows work with a device. Many come as an installer: run it, and plug in the device when asked.

1. Run the maker's driver installer and approve the permission prompt.
2. If the Found New Hardware window opens and you have a disc or folder from the maker, choose to locate and install the driver, then browse to that location.
3. If a warning says Windows cannot verify the publisher, continue only if the driver came from the device maker. On 64-bit Vista, drivers must be digitally signed, so an unsigned driver may be refused.
4. Restart if asked.

Check that it worked

1. Open Device Manager: select Start then Control Panel then System and Maintenance then Device Manager, and approve the prompt.
2. Find the device. A yellow mark means a missing or faulty driver. No mark means it is working. See fixing driver problems in Device Manager.

If a change causes trouble

Go back to the previous driver

In Device Manager, double-click the device, open the Driver tab and select Roll Back Driver. If it is grayed out, there is no earlier driver.

Remove a program

1. Select Start then Control Panel then Programs then Programs and Features.
2. Select the program, then Uninstall (or Uninstall/Change), and follow the screens. See also how to uninstall programs.

Undo with System Restore

Select Start then All Programs then Accessories then System Tools then System Restore and choose a restore point from before the change. Your documents are not restored by it, so keep a backup (how to back up).

Frequently asked questions