How to Install Programs on a PC Safely (and Avoid the Junkware)

Installing new programs is something we all do from time to time. Windows comes with plenty of programs already, but sooner or later you’ll want something it doesn’t have, such as a photo editor, a different web browser or a media player.

That’s where you can run into trouble, especially with free software. There are lots of great free programs out there, but some of them try to sneak extra junk onto your computer while you install them.

In this lesson I’ll show you how to install programs on a PC the safe way, from the Microsoft Store and from a website, and how to spot and skip the junkware that comes bundled with so much free software.

The Safest Way: Install Programs from the Microsoft Store

The Microsoft Store is built into Windows 11 and Windows 10, and it’s the safest place to get new programs. Microsoft checks the programs in it, so you’re far less likely to end up with junk alongside them, and programs from the Store keep themselves up to date.

1. Click the Start button and open Microsoft Store. If you don’t see it on the Start menu, just type “microsoft store“
2. Type the name of the program you want into the search box at the top.
3. Click the program in the results, and check the name of the company that made it.
4. Click Get (or Install). Windows downloads and installs it for you.
5. When it’s finished, click Open, or find it in your Start menu.

Not every program is in the Store, though. When it isn’t, you’ll need to get it from the company’s own website.

How to Install a Program from a Website

Before you can install a program, you need to download it from the internet. That’s the first point where you can get caught out, so take it slowly.

1. Search for the program’s name followed by official site, and use the company’s own website. Skip any results marked Sponsored, which are adverts.
2. Click the website’s Download button.
3. Open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file. It usually ends in .exe or .msi.
4. Windows asks Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device? Check the name of the program and the company, then click Yes.
5. The setup window opens. Read each screen, choose Custom or Advanced if you’re offered it, and click Next until you reach Install, then Finish.

Watch Out for Fake Download Buttons

The people who make free software have to make money somewhere. Often it’s from adverts (as I do on this site), but sometimes it’s by tricking you into downloading something you didn’t want.

Take the download page for VLC Media Player as an example. After clicking the Download button, nothing seems to happen, and there are several other download buttons on the page. You’ll be tempted to click one of them.

Those extra buttons aren’t VLC. They’re adverts for other programs. The page has a delayed download, and VLC starts downloading on its own after a few seconds.

Stop Installing Programs with Extra Bundled Software

An awful lot of free software comes with extra bundled software, often called junkware, bloatware or bundleware. These are programs that get installed onto your computer alongside the one you wanted, often without you noticing.

Most legitimate programs give you the option of not installing the extras. But it’s often hidden away, or so small you wouldn’t notice it.

That’s how bundled software sneaks onto your computer, and you have to question whether a program is going to be safe when it gets onto your PC in such an underhand way.

An Example of How to Avoid Installing Junkware

The best way to show you what to look for is to install an example program. Yours will look different, but the basic principles are the same, and following them will help you avoid all sorts of junk and even malware.

For the example, I’m installing IObit Uninstaller. That’s the program I want. Nothing else.

On the very first screen of the setup, two other programs are already ticked to be installed at the same time. The boxes are small and overshadowed by the big Install button, so if you click Install you get all three.

I really don’t know what these extra programs are, or whether they’re legit. The point is that I don’t want them and I didn’t ask for them, but if I don’t untick the boxes, guess what, I’m going to get them.

You have to do the same. Always look around the screen when installing programs, check what else you might be installing, and read the small print.

Always Use the Custom or Advanced Install Option

With most programs you’ll see a large, obvious Install button. Don’t click that.

Usually just beneath it there’s a Custom or Advanced install option. The words vary, but it means the same thing, and that’s the one to click.

Many people, especially beginners, imagine the custom option is too complicated for them. It really isn’t. If you’ve made it this far through the course, this’ll be easy.

The custom option often shows the bundled software that would otherwise be installed automatically. If there’s nothing there, no harm done. If there is, you can untick it or cancel the installation.

After clicking Custom Install you’ll generally get more options, so you can choose how the program you’re installing works.

More Bundled Software

On the next screen there’s an Accept and Install button. That’s all there is, so it’s natural to click it.

But it’s a trap. Look at what it’s actually going to install, rather than what you think it’s installing. Is it the program you downloaded and wanted, or yet another free offer?

In this case it would install something called iTop Easy Desktop. That’s not what I wanted. If there isn’t a button to cancel or skip it, wait a few moments and see what happens.

Skip This Software

In this example, after a few moments of waiting, a Skip button appeared, so we can move on.

And Another Special Offer

One more attempt to get you to install something you didn’t want. Click No Thanks.

You don’t know what it is, you never asked for it, and you don’t want to be looking it up on Google right now.

Finally the installation finished. It’s a bit of a minefield, dodging all the programs you don’t want.

Never feel rushed or panicked when installing programs. There’s no time limit. Your computer will wait while you decide.

Turn On Windows’ Own Junkware Blocker

Windows has a setting that blocks a lot of junkware for you. Microsoft calls it potentially unwanted app blocking, and it’s part of Windows Security. It’s worth a minute to check it’s switched on.

1. Click Start, type Windows Security and open it.
2. Click App & browser control.
3. Under Reputation-based protection, click Reputation-based protection settings.
4. Turn on Potentially unwanted app blocking, and make sure Block apps and Block downloads are both ticked.

It won’t catch everything, so keep reading those install screens. I explain the other settings on that page in my guide to reputation-based protection.

Where Did It Come From?

I spend a lot of time removing junk, bad and dangerous software from my clients’ computers, and then repairing the damage it’s caused.

The number one question I get asked is “Where did it come from?” And no one is very happy when I tell them they’ve probably installed it themselves.

By installing it yourself, you’ve walked it straight past your antivirus software and Windows’ own defences, because you told the computer you wanted it.

Where to Find a Program After You Install It

New programs appear in your Start menu. In Windows 11, click Start, then All to see every program in alphabetical order. In Windows 10 the list is there as soon as you click Start.

Some programs also put a shortcut on your desktop. If you’ll use it a lot, right-click it in the Start menu and choose Pin to taskbar, so it’s always one click away on the taskbar.

Once it’s installed, you can delete the setup file from your Downloads folder. You don’t need it any more.

My Best Advice When Installing Software

When you’re installing programs you’ve never used before, keep your wits about you. Read each screen before clicking Next, and if you’re suspicious, cancel.

Review the software before you even download it. Search for the name of the program followed by the word reviews. You’ll be surprised how much you can find out in a few minutes, especially if the software is dangerous.

Try it somewhere safe first. You can install a program you’re unsure about in a virtual machine (a virtual computer inside your computer) before it goes anywhere near your real one. On Windows 11 Pro, Windows Sandbox is the easiest way to do that.

To prove the point, I installed the example program with every option left at its default. Several programs got installed and my antivirus really didn’t like it. Fortunately, I’d installed it in a virtual machine. No harm done.

If a Program Won’t Install

Windows Protected Your PC

This blue box is Microsoft Defender SmartScreen. It appears when Windows doesn’t recognise a program, often because it’s new or not many people have downloaded it.

If you got it from the official website and you’re sure it’s the real thing, click More info, then Run anyway. If you’re not sure, click Don’t run. I explain how it works in Windows reputation-based protection.

The App You’re Trying to Install Isn’t a Microsoft-Verified App

Your PC is set to only allow programs from the Microsoft Store. To change it, open Settings, click Apps, then Advanced app settings, and change Choose where to get apps to Anywhere.

Your PC Only Runs Apps from the Store

Some cheaper laptops come in S mode, which only allows programs from the Microsoft Store. You can switch out of S mode for free, but it’s one way, and you can’t switch back, so only do it if you really need a program that isn’t in the Store.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it safe to install free software?
A: Most of it is, as long as you get it from the Microsoft Store or the official website, read every screen, choose a custom install and untick anything extra. Search for the program name and the word reviews first if you have any doubts.

Q: What is the safest place to download programs?
A: The Microsoft Store is the safest, because Microsoft checks the programs in it. After that, the program maker’s own website. Avoid download sites that collect lots of programs from other people, because that’s where a lot of junkware comes from.

Q: Do I need to restart my computer after installing a program?
A: Usually not. If a program needs a restart it will tell you at the end of the install. It’s worth doing when it asks.

Q: How do I get rid of a program I installed by mistake?
A: Uninstall it from Settings, under Apps. I show you exactly how in the next lesson, How to Uninstall Programs.

Q: What is the difference between a program, an app and software?
A: Nothing really. They’re all words for the same thing. Microsoft tends to say apps, older guides say programs, and software covers both.

Summary

Installing programs safely comes down to a few simple habits:

• Look in the Microsoft Store first.
• Otherwise, download only from the official website, and watch for fake download buttons.
• Choose Custom or Advanced install, and untick anything you didn’t ask for.
• Read every screen, and never feel rushed.
• Turn on potentially unwanted app blocking in Windows Security.

Avoiding bundled programs will save you a lot of headaches down the line.