downloading

[mrcrippler]

can anybody help me when i try to load anything onto my computer {games} win xp by disk or by download it only gives me options of downloading as media file or wordpad internet. what should it be downloading as and how do i get it. {a game from disk for example}
thanks

[BertImmenschuh]

There's two terms involved and one occurs before the other.

Downloading is simply the transfer of a file or files from one location to another, usually from a Web site to the HDD in the computer. Those files are frequently not usable at that point. They me be in .zip/compressed format or .exe/executable format. The .exe file is double-clicked to start the installation process. The .zip file is decompressed by a program such as WinZip into a folder before being useful.

Installing is when those files are first put into use, installs the program on the computer.

When a CD is involved it generally has a program's installation routine that puts the necessary files on the HDD that makes the program useful.

Wordpad is a word processor program on the computer included in Windows and is a 'lite' version of the more powerful Word.

Knowing more about the files you're having trouble with would be helpful.

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