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INSTALLING OBJECT DESKTOP 101
This is a mini tutorial created to help beginners understand the basics of working with Stardock Central to install the various programs included with Object Desktop. We will look at registering your products, a few important settings in Stardock Central, and installing the programs.
This mini tutorial was created using Windows XP with the default settings, and assumes you have installed Stardock Central on your computer using the serial number provided by Stardock.
Note - If you have not installed Stardock Central, please do so before continuing this tutorial.
REGISTERING YOUR PRODUCTS
STEP #1 – Click the Start button > click All Programs > find and click the Stardock Central icon to launch the Stardock Central program (log in using e-mail address and password as needed) > click the Tools menu > select Register Products as shown in the image below.
STEP #2 – With the Object Desktop listing selected in the left-side pane > select Object Desktop in the drop-down list in the main pane > enter e-mail address > enter your serial number > click the Update button as shown in the image below.
For other program categories, the procedure is basically the same. Select the category in the left-hand pane > select the product you want to register from the drop-down list located in main pane > fill in the e-mail and serial number fields > click either the Update or Register button (which ever is present) as illustrated using ObjectDock Plus in the image below.
SELECTING STARDOCK CENTRAL SETTINGS
STEP #3 – Click the Tools menu > select Settings > place a check mark in “Enable MCP notification area support” > place a check mark in “Check for Stardock Central Release updates on startup” and in “Prompt before updating Stardock Central” > remove any check mark in “Show pre-release (alpha/beta) versions” > click “OK” as shown in the image below.
Note – for faster loading of Stardock products during computer booting, you can select “Enable MCP SmartStartup” – this also displays the Object Desktop splash screen at startup, so you can play around with it to see if it provides the type of assistance that you would like. If any Stardock programs seem to be acting strangely, this is one of the first things you can try during any troubleshooting procedures.
INSTALLING PROGRAMS
STEP #4 – Select Object Desktop category in the left-hand pane of the main Stardock Central window > select one of the programs now listed in the main pane > click the install button to start the download, extraction, and installation procedure for the selected program as illustrated using the WindowBlinds program in the image below.
Simply repeat the process for other programs that you want to install.
These are the basics for working with, and installing the programs in Stardock Central.
Note – the settings I have indicated in the Tools > Settings menu are designed to get you started with the officially released versions of the programs. If you find that you would like to try some of the “alpha/beta” versions, you can change the settings as needed. Please be aware that bugs are not uncommon in those versions, and the purpose of providing those versions is to allow the users/consumers to help in the development of the programs.
Stardock Central is also a web browser, skin browser utility, discussion (forums) link, and an IRC channel link – so play around with it and explore.
If you need help in downloading goodies for some of your newly installed programs, you can read my mini tutorial on Downloading Content from WinCustomize here Link
I hope you found this mini tutorial helpful. Until next time, have fun and “Keep On Customizing”. 
Another good one Corky. 
I'm going to have to build a little notepad list with all the links for inserting into forum responses.
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