ginny,

Save simply means to keep the update in a file until you're ready to modify or replace the existing program. When you are ready, simply click on the saved downloaded file. To "run" means to install the changes right now.

I prefer the save option as I can then copy the update to my DW's machine and also have it in case the modified original program become corrupted.

Bob

To expand on the above, this is not limited to upgrades. It pertains to any executable download (a download that is self-extracting and self-installing by just clicking on it). The obvious gain to saving is you have it at standby if in the case you require to re-install again. After a successful install, the user has the option to retain the download in the download location, delete the download (this will not effect the installed application), or perhaps burn it to a storage CD for future use or backup.

As far as the upgrade itself I for one, along with others here and at other forums, promote clean installs rather than over-writes. Of course unless mandated by the manufacturer.

By this I mean an uninstall of the prior version and a manual clean up of any remaining traces; Desktop icons, Start Menu entries, orphan Program files and erroneous registry entries. This does sound a little more tedious than it really is.

A user just has to review the Desktop and Start Menu, and delete any remaining entries. Review of the Program Files on the H/D for any reference to the deleted application. A START>Search using the application's name and manual delete if necessary. And finally, run a application such as CCleaner to check for unneeded registry entries.

The thinking behind this protocol is the reduced chance of a system conflict and preventing the amassing of needless files and .dlls on the H/D. No uninstaller is 100% effective.

DA

And just addition:

When you first download a program choose save, I usually save it to the desk top and what you are saving is the "Setup" portion of the program, then double click the "Setup" on the desk top and this will Start the install of the program.

Most programs you install will install to "Program files" automatically when you start the install from the "setup"so that would be the location on your computer where the program is running from, so now you will know where your programs are, by opening my computer then double click (c)Local now look for program files double click the folder and their will be most of the programs you downloaded.

The other important thing is when you install a program (Ok you clicked the "Setup" and you are starting to install), always choose "Custom install" most programs have this feature & this is where you can select what you want, usually we just want the program no extras like yahoo tool bar or google tool bar, do you want the program to start when windows starts? Do you want to create a desk top Icon? do you want to create a short cut in the start menu? those are your decisions to make that most programs will give you those choices using the custom install method.

EXAMPLE:

When you download CCleaner choose save to desktop after the download go back to the desk top look for "Setup Icon" double click it to start the install this one will automatically install to program files now you can delete that "Setup" Icon on the desk top... I have seen screens with 10 or more setup icons on them that are really not needed..

On CCleaner if you do not select "Custom install" you end up with "Yahoo toolbar" on your computer, The (custom install) lets you un-select Yahoo tool bar it should be the other way around but it is not... Want to get technical about it that is Adware something installed w/o the users consent, so if you recommend the cleaner to a user this point should be made.. ccleaner covers themselves by giving the option to uh-check the little box before install, kind of funny a cleaning program adding things to a computer, then try un-installing yahoo tool bar from add/remove programs, it's not there.....hidden away.......

CCleaner is just an example I cannot tell you how many computers I have seen with 3 tool bars, programs running in the background because the custom install was not done..

That's my 2 cents....

zep.

Thank you all! I think I'm beginning to get a better idea of what downloading is all about and how to go about it.
Ginny

I see regular referrals to downloading to the Desktop. There is nothing wrong with doing this. However, my personal position is I recommend users, particularly newbies, to use the Downloads folder. That's what it is there for. It allows a central repository for downloads and reduces potential user confusion on the Desktop. I have read more than once user concern about deleting the setup file and its effect on the application. And as Zep reports I too have seen systems with oodles of downloads still on the Desktop.

DA

I just recently saw where my "downloads" folder was in Firefox. For the longest time I saw the "download" screen after clicking on something on a webpage and didn't know what that was all about. Am I right to say that I was "downloading" something off a webpage? I think of "downloading" as something that happens when I choose to download a program.

I am a BIG internet gal and my download page appears to have about 250 downloads on it. I see an option to "cleanup" in the corner. Should I use that? When I had my computer in to my computer guru I showed him that page and he said don't worry about it.

I need to better understand this download process. If as DC recommends, I download programs to my download folder what then?

Oh how I wish I was in my 30's when all of this would be much easier!!

Thanks for helping me.
Ginny

Well Ginny if you have 250 downloads in your 'download' folder perhaps it is time to sort them a little. I too am a glutton for downloads - in case I might need them in the next 20 years LOL.

However I do create many sub folders and then sort the valid ones into those to make finding them easier later. So many names are cryptic and I need to create a small .txt file with the same name but a .txt suffix. This text file will tell me what the program is and what it will do for me, just 2 or 3 lines but can be very helpful. Being the same name it is located right next to the file it is to identify when I look around in Windows Explorer.

There are time when I will go through and delete those that seem to have been there since I came off the Ark but never used. Some I constantly update like the spyware and anti virus type programs.

Like DA I detest those downloads cluttering up the desktop. My desktop is invisible but they still accumulate if you are not a good housekeeper and I fall into that category.

Ginny,

The download screen that you see with 250 downloads is simply a history of your downloads. You can safely click on cleanup in the corner and it will simply remove the history, not the downloaded files.

To find out where your files are download to on the Firefox toolbar you can go to tools, options, main. There you will see what folder the downloaded are sent to. You can change the location of the download folder to somewhere it's easier to remember if you so choose.

Also, if you want the download history to be cleared every time you close your browser instead of having to click on cleanup, you can go to tools, options, privacy. At the bottom, click on settings. There you can select what to clear when Firefox is closed.

HTH. Terry

I did as you suggested and hit the "clean up" button. Nothing much happened. What I see now is a blank page with a title of one of the pages I had downloaded. The "cleanup" button is no longer highlighted/able to be clicked upon.. If it did clean all 250 of them it did it in the blink of an eye....

Oh well, enough of this for now, I want to bake some bread.

Many thanks again!!

Ginny

I always download to my desktop and delete the installer as soon as its running. I don't save anything. It never messed up anything I downloaded.

I like a clean desktop and I don't like keeping things I don't need.

Jane

I do mine just a little bit differently. I created a "Program Downloads" folder on my C drive where I keep the latest versions of all the program setups. Yes, I know it's sort of redundant to keep the setup files long after the program has been installed and in use, but I just feel better doing it that way. Then, if I want to share the same program with a friend who is on dialup or put it on my laptop, I don't have to download it again. Just copy to my flash drive and take it wherever I wish. Keeps my desktop clean and makes me feel more secure by having the setup files in an easy to find location.

By the way, when a newer version of a program appears, I just delete the old setup file.

I save all my new downloads into the My Downloads folder. After I install the program, file, etc. I drag the setup/file into an Installed Programs folder within the My Downloads folder. So that when I download new ones, I know which ones I haven't dealt with yet.

Also, before clicking on the setup icon, be sure and scan it with your anitvirus program.

Happy Downloading!

Everything I download goes to the desktop. I have a "Setups" folder up in the corner there, and after I have installed a new program, I drag its setup icon into that folder. Saves me having to hunt for things and is convenient when once in a while I want to go back to a previous version of something.

To each their own of course, but I cannot fathom the benefit of retaining any downloaded file on the system H/D. Once an application is installed and operating to user satisfaction the file should be retained on a backup medium of choice, not on-board. A system failure or a H/D failure to mention a couple of concerns could easily deny any access to these files or their recovery. Myself, I use an amendable CD.

Members here regularly encourage readers to store their pictures on an alternative medium so as not to lose them in case of a negative experience. Why in the world would we not give the same consideration to our application backups?

DA

DA wrote Members here regularly encourage readers to store their pictures on an alternative medium so as not to lose them in case of a negative experience. Why in the world would we not give the same consideration to our application backups?

Partly true perhaps. However the reason to store photos and other personally created things on a CD or other medium is for protection if or when the hard drive fails as you rightly suggest. This becomes a secondary saving but should definitely not be the only copy, hence the hard drive.

The purpose of the hard drive is in fact for storage so I store there.

Those downloads I keep are usually free programs that might not be free tomorrow or will be updated and I might need the previous version. I also transfer many safety programs to thumb drives for fixing other people's computers. Easier to do that then wait for downloads on a slow connection. True enough I could remove at least half of them but they do no harm till the urge to do a clean up strikes.

C:/myTemp, a home made folder, contains about 250mb of installs that i've accumulated within less than three months & is where all my download installs go for simplicity and in-case I forget to instantly delete them...
The majority of those installs are completely unrecognizable by name.
All of them probably free,,, and are easily downloaded anyday the need arises ...except for maybe one, the paid version of AVG I have which some magazine gave away 1-yr registration for free(when they could keep their server online).

I really dont like to save installs - newer versions are usually out by the time i ever need one.

fwiw - simple program that I've gained a like for,,, seems worthy for my uses lately...
RevoUninstaller.com

Owbist,

When I post to a thread I make every effort to remember that those who read my post are not always as informed as others. In this case it appeared GinnyGinny was relatively new to computing so I refrained from the entire flow chart of options and suggestions for the use of the H/D and alternative storage medium. I purposely kept the post narrow.

What I try to avoid is creating confusion. Am I 100% successful? Of course not. I guess my example is your comment, "The purpose of the hard drive is in fact for storage so I store there". It is of course by defintion true. However, an inexperienced user could take the comment literally and disallow any thoughts of the negatives of complete H/D storage.

I maintain the downloads on a CD because you are totally right there is nothing worse than having to redownload on an antique DUN, and portability for helping others. I personally use the amendable CD basically for two reasons; in the past too many people who I have tried to help at their home have systems with the USB in the rear only causing an adventure to get to the ports, and I have to admit I am a creature of habit.

Mikie,

You sure are right about the lack of file name recognition. Most I regularly recognize. However,
I do rename the files when necessary so I am not at a loss.

DA

DA forgive me if you thought I was being critical, that was not my intent in any way shape or form. Getting the information across so all levels of computer users are covered is never easy.

You have an excellent point regarding using a CD rather than fight behind another person's computer to insert a thumb drive, I had not considered that use myself. I will seriously consider doing that too, blank CDs are cheap enough.

My point regarding the hard drive goes back to some posts over the last month where posters use external drives even to try installing programs. It might be good for some people but I fail to see the use for myself.