Installing Software from the Internet

Nowadays, many software publishers make their products available via download from the Internet. Some users like this because they can get their new programs immediately. However, downloading software like this can take quite a long time, especially if you have a dial-up Internet connection, because the program files are so big.

When you download a program from a major software publisher, the process is generally easy to follow. You probably have to read a page of do's and don'ts, agree to the publisher's licensing agreements, and then click a button to start the download. After you specify where (which folder on your hard disk) you want to save the downloaded file, the download begins.

tip

Most software publishers that offer downloadable software also let you order CD versions of their softwarealthough you might have to pay extra to get a physical copy.

When the download is complete, you should be notified via an onscreen dialog box. From this point, installing the program is almost identical to installing from CD or floppy diskexcept that you have to enter the complete path to the installation file in the Run dialog box. (And even this is easyjust click the Browse button to find the folder where you saved the file. )

Sometimes programs you download from the Internet require the use of ActiveX controlssomething that Internet Explorer normally blocks, for security reasons. If you go to install a program and nothing happens, look for a message underneath your browser's address bar, like the one in Figure 11.3. If you're sure that this is a legitimate part of the program you're installing, click the message and select Install ActiveX Control from the pop-up menu. The installation should proceed normally from this point.

Figure 11.3. Click the message bar in Internet Explorer to install an otherwise-blocked software installation.

caution

Unless you're downloading a program from a trusted download site, the downloaded file could contain a computer virus. See Chapter 29, "Protecting Your PC from Viruses, Spam, and Other Nuisances," for more information.