When downloading a file, how do I decide whether to Run or Save?

Question

This specifically has to do with trying to download Firefox. I don't know which is appropriate...sorry to be so computer-illiterate! Melanie

Answer 1

When dowloading a program it all depends on what it is. I'll explain this so that in future situations you'll know exactly what to do. When you click Run the program installs itself into your computer and creates a file. When you click save you download that program onto your computer and you can continue to install like normal. The only difference is that when you click save, that program or file is saved into a folder like my documents or whatever. Now say you dowload firefox and click save, the download completes and then you start the install and boom your computer freezes. Instead of going to the website and downloading it from there you go into the file in which you saved the program to and double click and it starts the install again. I'm sorry if this doesn't make sense but I'm trying my best to explain this. If you don't understand anything type a response and I'll check back in a bit to see if you need anything else.

Answer 2

Generally speaking if you are downloading a file that will install something you hit "Run". If you are downloading a media file like a picture or video you click "Save" so that you can open it again at a later time.
So if you are downloading Firefox just click Run.

Answer 3

I always SAVE the file as a zipfile.

This is why.

First, if your computer crashes and you have that zipfile backed up on CD as you should, it's really handy to just stick in the CD to get it back.

Second, when installing a program with your AV running it can be corrupted by the AV. So it's best to install ANY progs in Safe Mode if possible.

Since none of your anti-malware progs will be running during installation, you want to physically unplug from the internet.

For Windows XP:

To get to Safe Mode, turn off the computer and reboot. While it's powering back up constantly tap the F8 key at the very top of the keyboard until you get to the screen to pick Safe Mode.

Then click or doubleclick on the zipfile to install it following any directions you may run into.

If you can't do it that way, then (again, OFF of the net) click on Start>Run>type msconfig>click OK>choose Startup Tab>UNcheck EVERYTHING>Click the OKs and reboot.

Install your program by double-clicking the zipfile and following any prompts that may come up.

After installation of the program, Defrag, because installation can cause files to Fragment. To Defrag: Click your MY COMPUTER icon>Right Click Drive C>select Properties (close the My Computer Window)>Select the Tools Tab>Then click on the Defragment Now button in the Middle of the Tab Window (minimize the Defrag Window and exit the Properties Window, re-maximize the Defrag Window)>Click on the Defragment button and let it do it's thing. NOTE: if you haven't done this before (or haven't done it in a while, as you'll know) it will take a loooooooooooong time, so do it overnight while you're sleeping. Just turn off the monitor and let he computer take care of itself. When you wake, turn you monitor back on and close the Defrag Window. ANOTHER NOTE: Win XP doesn't like to be defragged a lot. Only do it when you've installed or uninstalled programs. OR if you move a lot of files like graphics or music around all the time you can defrag if you notice your comp slowing down.

Then set the computer to run ScanDisk. Go back to the same place described above where you can run Defrag from. Only this time, click on the Check Now button and follow the prompts. Reboot. This scan doesn't take near as long as defrag does, so you can stand by while it does it's thing. NOTE: You CAN run ScanDisk any time you want/need to. (I've found that when I set it to run every day my computer runs a bit better, but that's just me.LOL.)

Go back to msconfig and ONLY check the boxes you NEED ....like your anti-malware and stuff you want ...like Weatherbug or Webshots or whatever other progs you want to immediately start and constantly run in the background while the computer is on. Don't worry about the stuff you leave unchecked. You can STILL use it manually, but it just won't be running in the background eating up precious Resources. Microsoft recommends no more than 6 programs be allowed to run at startup, so keep that in mind as you pick what you want to constantly run. Any more than that will only slow your puter to a crawl.

BTW: Print off these instructions so you can have them to follow for this time and for future reference. ;) Just copy & paste this Answer to whatever type of text doc program you have and print from there. :D

I hope this helps. ♣Good Luck!♣

Answer 4

After experiencing interruptions in downloading and running, I decided to download and save to the desktop. After I get the message "download complete," I run from the desktop.

Note: Better to ask a question than to forge ahead and mess up.

Answer 5

For downloading a program click 'save'.
If you are trying to download Firefox, hit save. If it leaves an installer on your desktop, you can always delete it afterwards.

For when to save and when to run: A Guide

For pics, hit save.
For programs, hit save.
To view not keep something, hit run
To view and keep something, hit save.

Answer 6

If you want to install something right then and there, use run. If you want install it at a later date or you want to keep the install program just in case, then hit save. For media like pictures or video, use save to keep it or open to view it without saving it.

Answer 7

That depends. Do they play games on it? I would replace the Modem with a Networking card. If they play games on it that is newer than 2005 then forget it. My computer is quite bad, sure I'd like a computer like that. Although, it also depends on the price, a computer like that would cost around 200$ i think. Im Swedish so i have no idea about foreign value, but i think that 1$ is around 6.3SEK. But if it costs 500$ then it is a no go, that is to expensive for a computer like that.

Answer 8

I think run installs the software but save just saves it on your hard disk -- if you want to run saved programme, you will need to run it from the .exe file. I am sure most programmes saved this way will get you started once you double click on them.

Answer 9

you look at the extension of the file. if its .exe you can run it. if its zip,rar,daa,iso you'll wanna save it. then also comes down to preference if your not wanting to install right away or unsure of what the program really is then save it. after you have installed it you can always delete the file you downloaded to save space. or if you really like it you can burn it to a disc with your other favorite programs that you wanna save. one other method is to read some software don't come with installers and they run from there current location in wich case you'll need to save it to actuall run it.

Answer 10

Do a virus on the file before you run it.