How to Download &

Install Programs

Windows 98

Windows XP

A series of brief articles explaining simple computer tasks

Visit My Home Page
Home Page


Search My Site

Use the F11 key to view the page in full screen

Press F11 again to return to the normal screen view

When you click on a link to download a file, a "File Download" dialog box will open. By default, the "Save to Disk" option is selected. This doesn't mean "Save to Diskette" or the floppy disk, but rather save to a disk (hard drive) on your computer.

If you click "OK" a "Save As" window opens. "Save As" is the Window's title. Directly beneath that is a "Save In" selection box. The folder that appears in the box is the last place something was saved to. To change this folder, click the inverted black triangle on the right side of the "Save In" selection box. When the selection list opens, it shows a "tree" or "pathway" to various locations on your computer. If you click on "Desktop" for example, the "Save In" box would now show "Desk Top".

Take note of the file name (they can sometimes be hard to remember), then click "Save". When the download completes, your file will be on your Desktop with the file name that was displayed in the "File Name" box. Then you double click on the file to open or install the file.

Note: this example requires the downloaded file be placed in a specific folder. Most downloads will not require this and I suggest that you create a folder named "Download" on your desktop and put all downloads there unless specifically instructed to place it in another folder.

The following pictures are an examples of downloading a driver file named Ccw32.vxd and saving it to a folder we will create called: Carbon Copy. (*see the note) about the ccw32.vxd link at the bottom of the page)

By the same method, you can click on any folder or the floppy drive to save the file to a diskette. I would suggest you create a folder named "Download" and save all your downloads there, unless you're specifically directed to another location by the download site. To create this folder, just right click on any unused area of the Desktop and click "New" / "Folder". Type the name (Download), press the "Enter" key and the folder is created. Then, in the "Save As" Window, "Save In" box, click the black drop down arrow, select the folder you just created, Download. If you use this same folder every time you download something, it will be much easier to find

First, open Windows Explorer by right-clicking on "My Computer"
Select "Explore"
Click the + sign next C: to expand the drive
Click on the Program Files folder to select

Click the File drop down menu/select New/Folder

In the right pane view you will see a folder with the highlighted text "New Folder"
Type in the name "Carbon Copy".

When satisfied, press the enter key to complete.

By Default, "Save to Disk" is selected

Clicking "OK" opens a "Save As" window

Click on the black drop down arrow

Select: C: drive

Scroll through the C: to Program Files

Open the Program Files folder

Scroll through Program Files folder to Carbon Copy.

Open the Carbon Copy and it is now displayed in the "Save In" box.

Now, just click the "Save" button, and the file download will begin to the:

C:\Program Files\Carbon Copy

Ready to try a real download and installation of a free program? You can download and install a  really cool Picture viewing program (slide show presentations on your computer) called IrfanView. Click here to see another How To article and download the program.

Visit My Home Page
Home Page


Search My Site

Default means "factory setting".

*ccw32.vxd link: This file is a video adapter driver file for use on Compaq computers running windows 98. It can be downloaded from the drivers.com site (http://driverguide.com) side linked above. If the link above doesn't work, you can go to the home page. You will need to join to get a username and password.

Back to top


This page last updated: May 8, 2006