How To Download and Install A Program
By Cate Eales
Appeared May 7, 2009 on castanet.net
One way to keep your computer free of unwanted junk
programs is to take control of what you download and install. It's easy to
do!
Downloading and installing are different
Some people confuse downloading a file with installing a program.
Downloading and installing are not the same thing.
When you download a file, you are simply copying a file from the Internet
to your computer. When you install a program, you're getting a program
ready to work on your computer. So in order to get a program from the
Internet and make it work, you first download it and then install it. It's
like doing the shopping. Bringing the groceries in and putting them on the
counter is like downloading. Using those groceries to prepare dinner is
like installing.
Where did that download go?
You found a program to download. You click on the button, and if you are
using Vista and Internet Explorer, you click on the series of buttons to
assure Vista's security that yes, you really mean it. Your browser saves
the file...but where? Where did that file go?
If you're using Vista, Internet Explorer will almost always put the file
in a folder called Downloads. Excellent! However, in Windows XP, if
Internet Explorer allows you to specify a default location, I have yet to
find the setting. I believe that what it does is guess where the file
should go according to what type of file it is. So, if you download a
picture, it tries to put it in ...\Documents and Settings\yourname\My
Documents\My Pictures. As if I'm going to remember that. And if it's not a
picture, then IE7 is going to guess at another destination.
If you don't want to spend all night trying to outguess Microsoft, here's
a really simple trick to find that download: In IE7 click on "Open Folder"
when the download has finished. Your file is going to be in that folder,
whatever it is. If you don't see a dialogue box when the download has
finished, somehow you've turned it off. To turn it back on: Tools |
Internet Options | Advanced | scroll down to "Notify me when downloads
complete" and put a check in that box.
Firefox allows you to specify a default location for files, or will prompt
you each time if you prefer. I created a folder called "Downloads" and
placed a shortcut to it on my
desktop. That way I can find the files easily.
Take control of the installation process
When you are ready to install your program, I recommend using the "custom"
settings. If there is no setting like that, then I strongly recommend
reading carefully rather than just clicking OK, OK, OK, OK and accepting
everything that comes along with the program. Why?
Many programs, especially free programs, offer free tool bars, or trial
offers for other programs, and litter your
clean desktop with unwanted
icons. Even good programs, like
CCleaner, try to
install tool bars.
click to enlarge graphic
There is nothing wrong with a tool bar, or even two, but
it can easily get out of hand. And some of those tool bars are malware.
Unless you actually NEED another tool bar, clear the check box during
installation.
click to enlarge graphic
Sometimes programs will change the default settings for file associations,
change your browser's home page or default search engine, or change what
program plays your video or music files. It's a lot easier to stop this by
doing a custom install than it is to fix it later.
click to enlarge graphic
And the thing I find most annoying: Some programs put
themselves and their updaters in your Windows startup, and run whenever
you turn on your computer. Very, rude, but very common. You can stop most
of this behaviour in its tracks by moving a little more slowly and
carefully through the installation process.
Do you need help with your computer? With your
scanner/printer/camera/music player? Do you have a virus or a
spyware problem? Do you need a backup plan? Do you have a new
computer and now you're wondering how to get the files from the old one
over to the new one? I'm here to help you and your computer get along! To
ask a question, make a comment or suggestion, or schedule a visit, email
cate@rlis.com. You can read previous columns
here. If you'd like to
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Links
What Does Your Desktop Look Like?
http://rlis.com/columns/column194.htm
A little bit of this...
http://rlis.com/columns/column11.htm
CCleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archives
http://rlis.com/column.htm
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Cate Eales has been helping people make online computing safe, accessible
and fun for over 20 years. She lives in Kelowna with her husband, Eric,
and her dog, Sandy. Cate is a partner in Real Life Internet Solutions,
helping individuals and small businesses with virus, spyware and malware
eradication; personal computer training and management; digital image
management; music transfer; and website design, hosting and management.
Email Cate at cate@rlis.com with your
comments, suggestions, or questions. To browse the column archives, visit
the Real Life Internet Solutions website at
www.rlis.com.
©
Cate Eales 2009 – All Rights Reserved
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