The blog of Windows Wally, a Windows Support Technician helping common people solve frustrating computer problems.



Software Installers Troubleshooting

Reader Question:
“Hi Wally, I am having problems with Software Installer and wondering how to fix it?” - Derek S., USA

Before addressing any computer issue, I always recommend scanning and repairing any underlying problems affecting your PC health and performance:

  • Step 1 : Download PC Repair & Optimizer Tool (WinThruster for Win 10, 8, 7, Vista, XP and 2000 – Microsoft Gold Certified).
  • Step 2 : Click “Start Scan” to find Windows registry issues that could be causing PC problems.
  • Step 3 : Click “Repair All” to fix all issues.

Setting up weekly (or daily) automatic scans will help prevent system problems and keep your PC running fast and trouble-free.

Wally’s Answer:

Overview of Software Installers

A software installer is used to install various programs and software on a computer. Some software is coded so simply that it does not require a separate software installer to work. Most other software, however, is more complex and the software installer is required to properly install the software on the user’s system.

Software installers perform tasks such as unpacking the compiled files, putting them together for installation, querying the computer for sufficient space and the correct operating system, placing files in the computer’s registry, and finally, completing an installation. Without a software installer, many of these actions would be impossible for ordinary computer users.

Once the software installer completes its operation, there is usually no reason to reinstall the software each time you use a program. Certain types of software installers ask questions of the user during the installation process, while others will silently complete the operation with no input from the user at all. Some offer options to install everything automatically, or allow the user to choose which files to install.

There are various software installer programs available for creating an installation file for the Windows operating system, including Microsoft’s own Windows Installer.

What Problems are Associated with Software Installers?

Most software installers are executable, or EXE files. The fact that these software installer files execute programs on your computer and also, in many cases, change the Windows registry, can leave the computer open to security risks. Firewalls and antivirus programs are some protection against these risks, but users are also encouraged to only download software installer files from a trusted source.

Another good practice is to set a system restore point before installing any new or unfamiliar software. Programs that use software installers, but which do not check for conflicts or whether the target computer has a compatible operating system, could cause serious damage to a computer. This can include computer freezes, blue screens, and also the inability of certain other software on the computer to function.

Uninstalling both trial and full versions of some software can also cause problems if there are files shared by more than one program. A software installer will usually come with its own uninstaller included and will prompt you about removing potentially shared files during the uninstall process.

I Hope You Liked This Blog Article! If You Need Additional Support on This Issue Then Please Don’t Hesitate To Contact Me On Facebook.

Is Your PC Healthy?

I always recommend to my readers to regularly use a trusted registry cleaner and optimizer such as WinThruster or CCleaner. Many problems that you encounter can be attributed to a corrupt and bloated registry.

Happy Computing! :)

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About the Author

Windows Wally is a helpful guy. It’s just in his nature. It’s why he started a blog in the first place. He heard over and over how hard it was to find simple, plain-English solutions to Windows troubleshooting problems on the Internet. Enter: Windows Wally. Ask away, and he will answer.


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