|
|
Many novice Windows users are terrified of downloading files from the internet or other locations. There are two things to remember about file downloading.
- Write down where the downloaded file was saved
- Use a virus program
Generally, most file downloading takes place these days with the use of a browser. You search the internet, find a file you want to try and download it by clicking on the download link in your browser window.
Download Dialog
Once you have clicked on the download link, you will see a download dialog as shown above. You have three options at this point.
- Run this program from its current location
- Save this program to disk
- Cancel
Most times, you will choose to Save this program to disk unless instructed to do otherwise. Let's assume you have chosen to to save the program to disk.
SaveAs Dialog
After clicking the OK button in the Browser Download Dialog, the next dialog you see is the SaveAs Dialog. This is where you tell your computer where you want to save the file you are about to download. A very good practice is to have one folder (directory) where you always download files. A folder named Download for instance. That way you always know where the download has been saved.
Download Update Dialog
Once you decide where you are going to save the file to be downloaded using the SaveAs Dialog and click the OK button, the download will begin and you will next see a Download Status Dialog window. This window updates as the download proceeds and let's you know when the download is complete.
You can use your computer for other things while the file is being downloaded. You do not have to wait for the download to be completed. However, depending on your computer system configuration, things may slow down a bit. Most browsers can download more than one file at a time. So, start the download and go browse for another one if you want.
Now what do I do?
The download is complete! You can now open My Computer or Windows Explorer and find the file you downloaded. If the file is an executable (.exe extension), you can click (or double-click) on the file to start the installation program. To run the downloaded file, you can also choose the Run option on the Start button, browse to the downloaded file's location and run it.
For more information on download, Run, and the Start button, click the Windows Start button and choose Help. Select the Index tab and type one of the above in as a keyword. It's that simple!
Top of page
last modified
Monday December 20 2004
© 2000 - David Seibold
|
|
|
