Installing Google PackAnd Keeping It Up-to-Date

Google Pack can be downloaded for free from the Google website. Downloading is managed by the Google Updater; this useful utility is also used to update the software in Google Pack, or to uninstall any program you don't want to keep. Once installed, you'll see a Google Updater icon in your Windows system tray; this icon displays notifications when there are updates available for any Google Pack program.

To download and install Google Pack, go to pack.google.com and click the Download Google Pack button. If you don't want to install all the Google Pack programs, wait for the next page to appear and click the Add or Remove Software link; this takes you to a page where you can select which programs you want to install. Otherwise, follow the onscreen instructions to start the Google Updater program and install all the Google Pack programs.

Tip

You can install Google pack even if you already have some of the included programs installed. Google updater checks to see if you have the latest version of any installed program;if you do,it doesn't reinstall the program unnecessarily.

As you can see in Figure 35.1, Google Updater begins the download process automatically, after checking your PC for any previously installed programs. After Google Pack is installed, you may be requested to restart your computer for the installation to take effect.

Figure 35.1. Installing Google Pack applications with Google Updater.

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Tip

To uninstall any Google Pack program, open Google Updater, select the Installed Software tab, and then click the Uninstall link next to the program you want to uninstall.

The nice thing about Google Pack is that not only do you not have to install each program separately, you also don't have to configure each program individually. The normal configuration process for each program is handled by the Google Updater program, with all your personal information added automatically.