Step 1: Create a Download Folder
The first step in downloading from the internet, is to create a folder where you will always save your downloaded files. This will help you to locate the file once it is downloaded into your computer. To create a new folder (directory) called C:\Download using Windows Explorer, highlight your C: drive, and then click on these menu items, one after the other: File | New > Folder. When a folder entitled New Folder is created, rename it "Download". 

Note: A word about distinguishing between the Windows Explorer and Microsoft Internet Explorer. The Windows Explorer is the system tool that helps you examine and access your entire computer; files; directories; drives; desktop, etc. In contrast, Microsoft Internet Explorer is the browser you can use to surf the Web. 

Step 2: Download a File Using Your Browser
Microsoft Internet Explorer (MSIE), Netscape Communicator, Opera, and other browsers work in similar ways. After you click the Download Now button, a small window will open and ask you, "What would you like to do with this file?" or something similar. Simply click on the "Save it to disk" or "Save" choice, and then click OK. When the familiar "Save As" window appears, use it to navigate to your newly created C:\download folder and click "Save." Watch and wait until the file has finished downloading. Problems? Some older versions of MSIE may require that you right-click on "Download Now," and select "Save Target As" to be able to begin the process described above. 

Step 3: Prepare Your File for Installation
Although some files end in .exe and automatically install or explode into many files, many of the files you will download end in .zip. Since programs almost always include more than one file, think of the trouble it would be to download many files just to get one program to install. A zip file, also referred to as an archive, is an individual file that has files stored within it. When multiple files are combined into one zip file, they are also compressed in size, which has the further benefit of saving hard drive space and shortening download time. To open a .zip file, you will need a program that will unzip the file for you. The most common program for this is WinZip. If you do not already have WinZip, follow these  instructions to install the proper version.

Step 4: Download and Install WinZip
Go to www,winzip.com and download the shareware version of WinZip. (Note from Dave: This version of WinZip is shareware; registration costs $29.) Put it in your computer's C:\download folder. The WinZip file is in the form of an .exe that can be run and installed without any additional steps.

Congratulations!
You've successfully downloaded a file, and a whole new world is available to you now! The Internet is a great source for finding software gems. By tapping into the Web's motherlode of software, you can try programs to see if you like them before laying out that hard-earned cash, and keep your favorite programs up to date by learning to download and install their latest versions.

Step 5: Install your file
Double-click on winzip81.exe to install WinZip, then follow the easy step-by-step installation instructions. We suggest you take all of the suggested default settings and scan all your drives for favorite folders. WinZip can then easily access your C:\download directory for the next step. STOP when you reach the "WinZip Wizard - Welcome" window, and proceed with the next instruction. WinZip has probably been set up to launch using wizards, which are interfaces designed to make it easier to use new programs. They present each step in a series of separate windows, with options and decisions for you to make before you click Next to proceed. 

Step 6: How To Handle .exe Files
As we mentioned at the beginning of Step 3, you will find files ending in both .zip and .exe. You will find that .exe files are even easier to handle than .zip files! If you downloaded and installed WinZip earlier in this exercise, you know exactly what we mean. 
The .exe files that you download are ready to be run -- the only thing is, they can act in one of several different ways. Here are a few examples of what may happen when you double-click on an .exe file that you have downloaded. 

• An installation routine may begin immediately. In this case, all you need do is follow the instructions that are presented to you. 
• A small window may appear that explains that the file will extract to a particular folder. You may wish to change the folder, or at least make a note of where the files are being placed. At the conclusion of the file extraction process, an installation process may begin. If it does not, use Windows Explorer to navigate to the folder where the files have been placed. Once there, you can look for a Readme.txt, File_id.diz, Vendinfo.diz, Productname.txt, or other file that may help you install the program. Typically, a Setup.exe or Productname.exe will be there for you to click upon. 
• All of the files within the .exe will be expanded into the current folder. Fortunately, this older method of packaging is not used very often.