6. Choose "Save this program to disk" in the above dialog box and click on "OK".
7. Another dialog box will appear. Here you specify where to save the downloaded file, file name, and file type. You may accept the default choices (computer selected options), but if you want complete control of things, you should make your own choices EXCEPT file type. Create a "Download" folder right on your desktop. Download files from the web there. That way it is easy to find the file later. If you prefer to download at another location, make sure you write down the name and address of that folder, so that you can find the file easily later. Of course, if you forget the location of the downloaded file, you can always use Windows "Find: Files and Folders" feature to locate the file. You can change the name of the downloaded file (the part preceding the dot) if you like, but never change the file extension (the part of the file name after the dot). If you do, Windows will get confused, and unexpected things might start to happen. Take a look at the screen shot below. Here I am downloading a file I named irfanview375 in a folder of my choice (Download). The "Save as type" was already chosen as Application by the computer (choice by default), and I did not alter it.
Saving "irfanview375" file in my "Download" folder.
The file is an "Application".
8. Once the above dialog box is correctly filled out, click on the "Save" button. Downloading will begin. Your browser will show a progress bar, which is not 100% accurate. But it will give you an idea approximately how long would this downloading process take. It really depends on several things, such as the size of the file you are downloading, your modem speed (56K or DSL) and how busy is the Internet at the time. Stay near your computer in case something goes wrong and you have to take action.
9. Once the downloading is complete, before you install the software or open the file you have downloaded, you should immediately scan it with an anti-virus program to make sure that the file is not infected with a virus.
Several Notes:
Before you download any application, you should read all the available literature to make sure it is compatible with your system. For example, if you are using Windows XP, do not download a file which is meant to work with Windows3.1 or with Macintosh system.
Also make sure your computer meets the system requirements for the software you are downloading, such as hard drive space, RAM, monitor specifications etc.
If you see a READ ME file at the site from where you intend to download the program, PLEASE DO READ IT. If the site gives installation instructions, print it out before downloading the file.
Most software come with a READ ME file. If you did not see it at the site before downloading, chances are the file is included in the program. PLEASE DO READ IT as soon as possible once you install the program and see the file.
Remember to write down the name of the file you are downloading and the folder in which you are saving it. These information will help locate the file easily later.
If the file you downloaded has an .exe file extension, it is an executable file. That means, to install, you just have to click on the file. That will start the install program. You then read each screen and follow instructions to complete the installation.
If you received special instructions when you downloaded the file, just follow those instructions to install the program.
If the file you downloaded has a .zip file extension, it means it is a zipped or compressed file. Before you can install it you have to unzip or decompress it. Some zipped files unzip automatically when you double click on them. Otherwise you will need a program like WinZip or PKZip to unzip these files. Luckily these can also be downloaded from the web. (These are sharewares.) When you have WinZip or PKZip installed in your computer, the program will start automatically when you double click on the zipped file, and will unzip your file. Once the file is unzipped, follow the installation instructions.
Try all downloads (and uploads!) at off peak hours for the Internet. During peak hours the download can be slow or you may get disconnected. If you get disconnected, just retry.
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