How to... Download and install software

A guide to downloading and installing software

Author:  Tina Landers

Installing software from a CD is simple, you simply place the CD in your CD Drive, shut the drive and within a few seconds an installation window pops-up to guide you through the process. Easy.

Installing downloaded software (or Shareware) isn't any more difficult, yet it seems to scare everyone I know. Granted, there are a couple of differences in the process, but once you understand them you'll find that downloading and installing software is easy and often far more convenient than fiddling with CDs. You can read a more detailed article about Shareware here.

When you decide to download a program from a website, look for the "Download" button - it's usually placed somewhere where it's easy to find. When you click on the Download button, on most occasions you will be re-directed to another web page or web site. Sometimes, you will be re-directed more than once before you actually get to download anything. Don't be alarmed, there are many reasons why this re-direction takes place - most often to simply spread the load across several networks.

Before you get to access the download, most often you will be required to complete some sort of registration form. On most occasions the forms are quite simple, usually along the lines of your name and email address. When you're buying the product, there are (obviously) more details required. If the software requires it, a Registration Key will be emailed to the email address that you specified, usually within a matter of minutes. Some software titles do not require a Registration Key and will function as soon as you install them. There is no standard practice so you will simply have to follow the prompts to get to the download.

Software downloads come in the form of a file (or files) that you need to "execute" (or run) for the software to install on your computer. Usually, the type of file you will be required to download will be one of two types - a .exe file or a .zip file. A .exe file is an executable file, meaning that it will "run" when executed (or clicked on). A .zip file is a file that has been "zipped" (or compressed) to be made smaller and thereby reduce its load on the network. Think of "zipping" a file or files as vacuum-sealing something - by removing the excess air you can compact the object making it easier to pack and/or transport. Downloads are usually "zipped" when the program being downloaded is large and/or has more than one file attached to it.

If you are faced with a choice that says "beta", your are better-off not selecting that file. A beta version of software means a new version that is undergoing "user testing", and that the particular version has not been generally released to the public. If you're happy to accept a new version of the software which may have unfixed problems, then by all means try the beta version. If you'd prefer the older, more stable version (as I do), then don't select a beta version. 

To "unzip" a .zip file, you will need a Zip program. Once installed, the zip program will automatically open and unpack any zip file when you click on the file. If you don't have a Zip program, you can get a free one (7-Zip) here. 7-Zip is an excellent zip utility and, being open source, is free for everyone to use. 

Back to our download - if the file you're downloading is a an executable file (a file with a .exe suffix), you will get the following prompt:

Your first prompt when you select to download a program

Running an installation across the Internet may take a while so it's far smarter to select Save. You will then be asked for a location to save the file. Save it to your desktop so that it's easy to find after you've finished the download.

If the file you're downloading is a zipped file (a file with a .zip suffix), you'll get the following prompt:

Your first prompt when you select to download a .zip file

Again, you really don't want to be opening and installing files across the Internet so it's best to Save the file. When you're prompted for a location to save it, select your desktop so that it's easy to find when you have finished downloading it.

If you're in any way concerned about something you've downloaded, "scan" it (using your anti-virus and anti-spyware software) immediately after you have finished downloading it (and before you open/install it). The scan should indicate if the downloaded file is infected or "clean".

Once you have downloaded an executable file (.exe) you simply double click its desktop icon to begin installing it. From there, simply follow the prompts and instructions as you would if you were installing from a CD. Be aware that sometimes, developers offer to install other "trial" programs (or other utilities such as toolbar add-ons) along with the software you're installing. De-select anything you don't want installed.

Once you've downloaded a Zipped file (.zip), there's an extra step you must perform before you can install your software. The "zipped" files have to be "unzipped" before you can access the executable file (.exe) which will install your software. Before you unzip, create a new folder on your desktop - name it the same as the program you've just downloaded. Once you've done that, double click on the zip file to open the file - you will be prompted for a location to save the contents - select the new folder you just created on your desktop. The files will now be unzipped and placed in your new folder. From there the process is the same as the paragraph above - double click on the executable (.exe) file and follow the instructions and prompts. Again, de-select anything you don't want installed. On occasion, and depending on the program you've installed, you may need to restart your computer for the program to complete its installation.

If your download consists of more than one file and you're not sure how to begin the installation, look for the executable file (the one with the .exe suffix) and double click it. Usually it will be named Setup.exe or Install.exe.

Once you have installed your software, you can move the desktop file/s (.zip or .exe or the new folder) to the My Documents folder or you can delete them if you don't want to keep them (deleting the downloaded file/s will not delete or uninstall the program you have installed). To uninstall any program, go to "Add or Remove Programs" in your Control Panel.

Once you get comfortable with downloading Shareware, chances are that (like me) you'll rarely buy your software any other way.