The Get Programs dialog box does not show whether applications are installed when you click "Install a program from the network" in Control Panel on a Windows Vista-based computer

On a Windows Vista-based computer, when you click Install a program from the network in Control Panel, you do not see the status column in the Get Programs dialog box that shows whether applications are installed.

In earlier Windows operating systems such as Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003, when you click Add New Programs in the Add or Remove Programs dialog box, you see the status column that shows whether applications are installed.

We have removed the installation status column in Windows Vista because many installation engines exist. Therefore, we cannot accurately track the installation status. Removing the installation status eliminates unnecessary confusion.

Note Installation engines include Microsoft Windows Installer (MSI), Setup.exe, third-party installation engines, and legacy installation engines.

This behavior is by design.

On a Windows Vista-based computer, follow these steps to search for and install a program from the network:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Programs and Features.
3. Click Install a program from the network.

The programs are listed in the Get Programs dialog box.

On a Windows 2000-based computer, a Windows XP-based computer, or a Windows Server 2003-based computer, follow these steps to search for and install a program from the network:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Click Add or Remove Programs.
3. Click Add New Programs.

The programs are listed under Add programs from your network in the Add or Remove Programs dialog box.