Downloading versus running a downloaded file

Choosing whether to run or save the file depends on how secure you believe the file to be and what exactly you need the file for. Doing so allows you to place the file wherever you want, and also gives you an opportunity to scan the file with an anti-virus program. Once the file finishes downloading, you can double-click it at any time to launch it. Such files are typically executable application installers with an. Yes or No. Thank You. Download is not the same as run.

Download is exactly and ONLY that — it copies a file from the internet to your computer. It does not run it, it does not install it, it does not activate it.

Check their site for information on how to install and set up. Comments violating those rules will be removed. Comments that don't add value will be removed, including off-topic or content-free comments, or comments that look even a little bit like spam. All comments containing links and certain keywords will be moderated before publication.

I want comments to be valuable for everyone, including those who come later and take the time to read. Search Ask Leo!

Do this Subscribe to Confident Computing! I'll see you there! Podcast audio. I'll show you how to find it and how to delete it. That protection? A good backup, of course. Why capitals? The question is what do YOU want to do with it? In most cases saving is proper, but not always the right answer. Error messages or something. Thank you for an excellent response: concise and perfectly clear.

Yours is the best explanation of the several I read. Thank you. The publisher does not determine where the file is downloaded — the browser does that.

Thanks Leo. Great website… Reply. Leave a reply: Before commenting please: Read the article. Comment on the article. No personal information.

Now when I download I get the usual dialog box, pick where I want the file to download and it looks like it completes the process. Then I open my picture file and the download is not there. Please don't suggest I download a file I've tried so many forums that give links to download and nothing happens. I even tried in safe mode and still unable to do anything! Welcome aboard. LAN connected. Google IP is accessible. Yahoo IP is accessible. Checking service configuration: The start type of mpsdrv service is OK.

The ImagePath of mpsdrv service is OK. MpsSvc Service is not running. The service key does not exist. The key does not exist. BITS Service is not running. New to HTML 5. This markup is easier to understand and is supported by all modern browsers, but may not be supported by all content management systems. If for whatever reason, you cannot add the download attribute in the case that you cannot directly edit the HTML of your web page , you can optionally compress the file using zip, and instruct the user to download the zip file.

You can alternatively explain to the user that they should right click on the link and select download. If you have no other alternatives to force the file to download, you can host it on a file hosting service such as Google Docs.