Comes with a CD disk. Easy as pie. Once the driver is loaded it's like all other drivers. Data Alliance will give you an online link if you screw up the driver somehow.
It turns on and off automatically. It switches between internal and external automatically. Truly a no brainer. A six year old can deal with it.
Yeah sticking it to the window increases signal strength. I can't see a whit of increase trying the amplifier outside. Data Alliance has yagi antennas that will increase range to seemingly reach Bankok but the antenna has to be aimed. The suction cup thingee and optional 12 db stick antenna seems to be my favorite. With my 20 db yagi it'll five bar a line of sight modem at a mile and a half.
Note: This is where I found out the true worth of DeOxit D100 contact oxidation remover. Brand new out of the box signal strength jumped from 3 bars to 5. Without the Alfa I had 0 bars. Google DeOxit D100.
I rate my purchase as a first rate deal for being worthwhile.