If you are new to a software or a program how would you explore it?

[Samuel]

Hi I would like to know ways you would do to explore a new software or a new program that you never see or heard about. Well for example if you know the topic of the program such as protection.. or virus free. If you have a friend that tells you what the program is about but you never seen it before but you know the topic of the program how would you explore it, fix it etc.. thankyou. I have many friends that tell s me that this program wont work, .. or they tried re downloading it a few times and still won't work, and I wouldn't know much cuz i never seen the program before and surely do not know why its not working. I would sure want to know what and where you check 1st when you are new to a program thankyou