How to download and install files

Simply follow this very brief tutorial we've prepared, and in just a few minutes you'll be downloading a program, preparing it, and installing it onto your computer, ready to run.

Note: The files used in this exercise are for Windows 9x and above users.

Create a download folder

Start by establishing good habits. Organizing your download files will help. Let's start by creating a new folder (directory) called C:\Download for your use.

Using Windows Explorer: highlight your C: drive, and then click on these menu items, one after the other: File | New > Folder. When a folder entitled New Folder is created, rename it "Download".

Note: A word about distinguishing between the Windows Explorer and Microsoft Internet Explorer. The Windows Explorer is the system tool that helps you examine and access your entire computer; files; directories; drives; desktop, etc. In contrast, Microsoft Internet Explorer is the browser you can use to surf the Web.

Here are a few tips so you can use other progams as you follow the steps in this tutorial:

• Close other programs you don't need
• Use Alt-Tab to easily toggle between programs
• Resize windows or click on their title bars to move them out of the way

Download a file using your browser

To download files you must click on the download link. Some web sites will bring up a page with a description of the file being downloaded and the download will start automatically. In any case, it is customary for the relevant instructions to be shown on that same screen.

Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE), Netscape Communicator, Opera, and other browsers work in similar ways. After you click the download link, a small window will open and ask you, "What would you like to do with this file?" or something similar. Simply click on the "Save it to disk" or "Save" choice, and then click OK. Avoid the "Open" option, since this will not leave a permanent copy of the file on your computer.

When the familiar "Save As" window appears, use it to navigate to your newly created C:\download folder and click "Save."

Watch and wait until the file has finished downloading.

Problems? Some older versions of MSIE may require that you right-click on "Download Now," and select "Save Target As" to be able to begin the process described above.

Note: Various factors can affect the health of good data exchanges between your computer and our servers as our signals move through switches, copper wire, and routers. Especially during peak-use times, you may not get a response for a long time, or won't connect at all. If so, just try again immediately, or in a little while.

Prepare your file for installation

Although some files end in .exe and automatically install or explode into many files, many of the files you will download end in .zip. This particular exercise teaches you how to deal with the popular .zip file format. At the conclusion of this tutorial, we'll explain how to handle .exe files.

Since programs almost always include more than one file, think of the trouble it would be to download many files just to get one program to install. A zip file, also referred to as an archive, is an individual file that has files stored within it. When multiple files are combined into one zip file, they are also compressed in size, which has the further benefit of saving hard drive space and shortening download time.

Before you can install zipped programs, it will be necessary to unzip (open up) the zip file in order to use the files stored within it. Although other utilities are available, we recommend WinZip for unzipping files, and will use this popular shareware program for our exercise.

If you already have WinZip installed and ready for use, click here to go to Step 4.

If you do not already have WinZip, follow the instructions below to install the proper version.

Download and Install WinZip

Click on this link to download WinZip. Put it in your computer's C:\download folder. The WinZip file is in the form of an .exe that can be run and installed without any additional steps.

Double-click on the executable file to install WinZip, then follow the easy step-by-step installation instructions. We suggest you take all of the suggested default settings and scan all your drives for favorite folders. WinZip can then easily access your C:\download directory for the next step.

STOP when you reach the "WinZip Wizard - Welcome" window, and proceed with the next instruction.

Open your file

You may wish to read the WinZip instructions before proceeding so you know what to expect. If you have closed WinZip, click on the icon that was created, to restart the program.

WinZip has probably been set up to launch using wizards, which are interfaces designed to make it easier to use new programs. They present each step in a series of separate windows, with options and decisions for you to make before you click Next to proceed. If you're using the WinZip wizards, you can expect the following windows:

WinZip Wizard - Welcome
At this time it should not be necessary to click "Options" or anything other than the Next button.

WinZip Wizard - Select Zip File
Look for and highlight the ZIP file by single-clicking on it. It will then appear in the title bar as your selected file, so you can press Next. Next.

WinZip Wizard - Unzip
WinZip suggests that you unzip ther ZIP file into a new directory called C:\Unzipped\zip file name. It is a good idea to have a special directory for each file you unzip, so things don't get confusing. Click Unzip Now to take the advice of the Wizard.

WinZip Wizard - Unzip Complete
Congratulations! You have finished the unzipping portion of this tutorial and can now click Close.

Note: You may wish to read through WinZip's help file later to learn more about it.

Install your file

If you used WinZip, it will have placed an open Windows Explorer window on your desktop with the new program files inside.

Files that you download may have one or more files within them that can help you learn about the program, install it, and understand your obligations if you want to continue to use it. Examples of files that can be opened using Windows Notepad are File_id.diz, Vendinfo.diz, Productname.txt, and Readme.txt.

When you double-click on Readme.txt, the file should open in Notepad. Now you can read all about the game and its author. Double-click on the executable file (the one with the .exe extension) to begin the installation. Just follow the prompts that come up during installation. Once it's installed, you'll be prompted to click "Finish."

Congratulations! You've successfully downloaded a file. The Internet is a great source for finding software gems. By tapping into the Web's motherlode of software, you can try programs to see if you like them before laying out that hard-earned cash, and keep your favorite programs up to date by learning to download and install their latest versions.

How to Handle .exe Files
As we mentioned at the beginning of Step 3, you will find files ending in both .zip and .exe besides other file extensions. Different file extensions usually need different unarchivers. You will find that .exe files are even easier to handle than .zip files! If you downloaded and installed WinZip earlier in this exercise, you know exactly what we mean.

The .exe files that you download are ready to be run -- the only thing is, they can act in one of several different ways. Here are a few examples of what may happen when you double-click on an .exe file that you have downloaded.

An installation routine may begin immediately. In this case, all you need do is follow the instructions that are presented to you.
A small window may appear that explains that the file will extract to a particular folder. You may wish to change the folder, or at least make a note of where the files are being placed. At the conclusion of the file extraction process, an installation process may begin. If it does not, use Windows Explorer to navigate to the folder where the files have been placed. Once there, you can look for a Readme.txt, File_id.diz, Vendinfo.diz, Productname.txt, or other file that may help you install the program. Typically, a Setup.exe or Productname.exe will be there for you to click upon.
All of the files within the .exe will be expanded into the current folder. Fortunately, this older method of packaging is not used very often.

Most of the files you come across will fall into a few different categories. Freeware and Public Domain software are free for you to use indefinitely, although you may be required to send the author a postcard or do a good deed in return. Shareware and Demonstration (demo) software allow you to try out a fully or partially operational program. If you like it, you must buy the full version or legitimize your copy by paying a fee.

The information on this site is subject to a disclaimer and a copyright notice.

We remind you that you are legally bound to register any shareware or demo software you find useful and intend to keep using.