Follow these steps to determine which Windows* operating system is running on your computer.
Windows® 10
- Click the Start or Windows button [usually in the lower-left corner of your computer screen].
- Click Settings.
- Click About [usually in the lower left of the screen]. The resulting screen shows the edition of Windows.
Windows 8* or Windows 8.1*
Option 1: From the desktop
- Swipe in from the upper-right corner of the screen while viewing the desktop to open the menu, and then touch Settings.
- Select PC Info. Under Windows edition, the Windows version is shown.
Option 2: From the Start Screen
- While on the Start screen, type computer.
- Right-click the computer icon. If using touch, press and hold on computer icon.
- Click or tap Properties. Under Windows edition, the Windows version is shown.
Windows 7*
- Click the Start or Windows button [usually in the lower-left corner of your computer screen].
- Right-click Computer and choose Properties from the menu. The resulting screen shows the Windows version.
See the Microsoft sites below for more details:
- Which operating system am I running?
- How to determine whether a computer is running a 32-bit version or 64-bit version of the Windows operating system.
Your computer allows you to do some really amazing things. Digital photo editing, sophisticated computer gaming, video streaming—all of these things are possible because of different types of software. Developers are always creating new software applications, which allow you to do even more with your computer.
Installing from a CD-ROM
From the mid-1990s through the late 2000s, the most common way to get new software was to purchase a CD-ROM. You could then insert the disc, and the computer would walk you through the installation.
Now, almost all software has moved away from this model. Many new computers no longer include a CD-ROM for this reason. However, if you do need to install software from a CD-ROM, simply insert the disc into your computer, then follow the instructions.
Installing software from the Web
Today, the most common way to get new software is to download it from the Internet. Applications like Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop can now be purchased and downloaded right to your computer. You can also install free software this way. For example, if you wanted to install the Google Chrome web browser, you can visit this page and click the Download button.
The installation file will be saved to your computer in .exe format. Pronounced dot e-x-e, this is the standard extension for installation files on Windows computers. You can follow the steps below to install an application from an .exe file.
Locate and download an .exe file.
Locate and double-click the .exe file. [It will usually be in your Downloads folder.]
A dialog box will appear. Follow the instructions to install the software.
The software will be installed. You can now open the application from the Start menu [Windows 7] or the Start Screen [Windows 8].
Tips for finding software
In our experience, the easiest way to find new software is to search the Web. For example, if you were looking for a way to edit some personal photos on your computer, you could run a Google search for free photo-editing software. If you're not exactly sure what kind of software you're looking for, try describing the tasks you want to complete. For example, if you wanted a way to create to-do lists and organize your appointments, you might search for something like free calendar organizer software.
The Windows Store
If you're using Windows 8, you can download and install software from the Windows Store. The Windows Store is meant to simplify the process of locating and installing software from third-party developers—when you find an app in the Windows store, you won't have to do any extra work to install it.
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- Computer History Museum - Timeline of Computer History - Software and Languages
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By The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Article History
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software, instructions that tell a computer what to do. Software comprises the entire set of programs, procedures, and routines associated with the operation of a computer system. The term was coined to differentiate these instructions from hardware—i.e., the physical components of a computer system. A set of instructions that directs a computer’s hardware to perform a task is called a program, or software program.
The two main types of software are system software and application software. System software controls a computer’s internal functioning, chiefly through an operating system, and also controls such peripherals as monitors, printers, and storage devices. Application software, by contrast, directs the computer to execute commands given by the user and may be said to include any program that processes data for a user. Application software thus includes word processors, spreadsheets, database management, inventory and payroll programs, and many other “applications.” A third software category is that of network software, which coordinates communication between the computers linked in a network.
Britannica Quiz
Computers and Technology QuizSoftware is typically stored on an external long-term memory device, such as a hard drive or magnetic diskette. When the program is in use, the computer reads it from the storage device and temporarily places the instructions in random access memory [RAM]. The process of storing and then performing the instructions is called “running,” or “executing,” a program. By contrast, software programs and procedures that are permanently stored in a computer’s memory using a read-only [ROM] technology are called firmware, or “hard software.”