File Downloading 101 Part 1

Part of the Internet Experience is downloading files to your hard drive to enjoy later. These could be pictures, desktop wallpaper, sound clips, and even software. It can be a little overwhelming, so let’s take it one step at a time.

Downloading means receiving a file from the Internet. So what we are doing is requesting a file from another web server, and sending it through the Internet until it finally reaches our computer. It works the same way as calling a company to request a catalog, waiting while it is sent through the mail, and then receiving that catalog in your home mailbox.

It’s easier to download a file if you have a central place on your computer to put downloaded files; this way it is much easier to find them later. Let’s begin by creating a folder on your hard drive called “Temp”.

These instructions are for Windows 95/98 users.

1. Click on the Start button.
2. Click on Programs
3. Find and click on Windows Explorer.
4. Click on the “C” drive to make sure you are in the right place.
5. Click on File from the menu at the top.
6. Click on New.
7. Scroll the mouse over and select Folder.

8. Your mouse cursor will be brought over to your new folder and it will appear with the words "New Folder" highlighted, waiting for you to rename it. Type in the word “Temp” (without quotes).

You’ve just created a new folder! You will only need to do this entire process once. Once this folder is created, you will download all your files to the Temp folder. You will not need to re-create it every time you want to download something! Let's review. We created this folder so that you can have a central storage area to find things once you've downloaded them.