Software Installation in Amherst, NY

Frequently Asked Questions

Real questions about software installation.

• Why pay someone to install software? Can't I just download and run installers?

  You can, and for simple installations there's no reason to bring it to us. Customers come to us when the situation is more involved: business software with licensing complications, software that hasn't worked despite multiple install attempts, multiple applications that need to coexist correctly, security or business policies that affect installation, or situations where customers just don't want to deal with the install dialogs and decisions.

• What software do you install?

  Most mainstream software: Microsoft Office (Microsoft 365 or standalone), Adobe Creative Cloud, accounting software (QuickBooks, Quicken, TurboTax), browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Edge), email clients (Outlook, Thunderbird, Apple Mail), video conferencing tools (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet), creative software, hobby software, business-specific software, drivers for peripherals.

  What we don't install: pirated software, anything we don't have a legitimate source for. If you bring a license you own, we install. If you don't have a license for something, we won't install a cracked version.

• I have an old version of Office. Can you install it?

  Yes, if you have the legitimate license and installer. Office 2019, 2016, 2013 standalone licenses still work on current Windows. Office 2010 and earlier may have compatibility issues with current Windows. Microsoft 365 is the current subscription model and we install per your subscription.

• Will the software activate properly?

  For most modern software, yes. We install the software, sign in with your account or activate with your license key, verify activation succeeded. Some software has activation limits per user, in which case we may need to deactivate on an old computer first.

• My new PC came with a free Office trial. Should I keep it?

  Trial Office on new PCs is usually a 30-day or 1-year subscription teaser. If you have your own Office license or Microsoft 365 subscription, the trial is bloatware and we remove it during setup. If you don't have Office and want to subscribe to Microsoft 365, the trial converts to a full subscription if you choose to pay.

• Can you install business-specific software?

  Yes, with the caveat that some business software has specific installation requirements that need IT department coordination. If your software is "downloaded from the vendor's site" or "installer from a CD," we install. If your software is "deployed via the company's management system," that's usually IT's job and we don't bypass corporate management.

• My printer needs drivers installed. Is that part of software installation?

  Yes, although we have a separate printer setup service for more involved printer work (network configuration, scan-to-email, multi-computer offices). Single-printer driver installation is usually part of new computer setup or general software installation.

• Can you uninstall software too?

  Yes. Removing applications, especially ones that resist normal uninstallation (browser hijackers, persistent toolbars, "PC cleaner" tools that nag) is regular work. We uninstall cleanly, removing the application plus its leftover files, registry entries, and startup items.

• Will antivirus or security software conflict with what I want installed?

  Sometimes. Aggressive third-party security software occasionally blocks legitimate installations or interferes with how installed software runs. We diagnose and adjust as needed: temporarily disabling security during install, configuring exceptions, or in some cases switching to less aggressive security if the existing one is causing too many issues.

• I have license keys printed on stickers from years ago. Are they still valid?

  Often yes for paid software (Office, Adobe CS6 and earlier, various commercial apps). Older license keys may or may not work with current versions. We try to activate with what you have and tell you if it doesn't work.

• Can you migrate software from old computer to new?

  Sometimes the application data carries across through migration tools (PCmover, Migration Assistant) but the application itself usually needs a fresh install on the new computer. We handle the install plus license activation during new computer setup or as standalone software installation.

• How much does software installation cost?

  Quoted at the appointment based on what and how much. Single application install is quick. Multiple applications with licensing coordination takes longer.