Start the Elite Software Programmer by double clicking on the Haltech Elite Software Programmer (ESP) Icon.

Haltech Elite Software Programmer Icon

Connect the ECU to the laptop via the supplied USB cable.
With power applied to the ECU (Ignition On if wired into the vehicle ignition system), click the Connect/Disconnect icon with the mouse pointer, or press the F5 key.
If everything is operating correctly, the Elite Software Programmer will connect to the ECU and download the map.

Once online, the status bar, located at the bottom left corner of ESP, will indicate ECU Connected such as in the following screenshot: