Organizing your downloaded files
July 6th, 2009
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Author: Start by establishing good habits. Organizing your downloaded files will help. Let's start by creating a new folder (directory) called C:\download for your use.
- If you use the Windows 95 Explorer, highlight your C: drive, and then click on these menu items, one after the other: File | New > Folder. When a folder entitled New Folder is created, rename it download.
- Note: A word about distinguishing between the Windows 95 Explorer and Microsoft Internet Explorer. The Windows 95 Explorer is the system tool that helps you examine and access your entire computer: files; directories; drives; desktop, etc. In contrast, Microsoft Internet Explorer is the browser you can use to surf the Web.
- If you use the Windows 3.1
or 95 File Manager, highlight your C: drive, and then click on these menu items, one after the other: File | Create Directory. Type download into the Name box that appears and click OK.
Tips for following this exercise
Here are a few tips so you can use other programs as you follow the steps in this tutorial:
Close other programs you don't need right now
Use Alt-Tab to easily toggle between your Internet browser and other programs
Resize windows or click on their title bars to move them out of your way
Step 2: Download a file using your browser
We've selected a popular ZDNet Exclusive that will be a great addition to your collection of screen savers, ZDNet's Gates Does Windows 95 (file name: zgdw95.zip).
In this fun utility, Microsoft CEO Bill Gates uses a sledge hammer to demolish your old Windows 3.x desktop, uncovering the new Windows 95 desktop. This program will run on both Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. It should download quickly due to its relatively small size. ZDNet's Gates Does Windows 95 is free, but may not be distributed to any other service.
Each browser handles things in a slightly different way, so click on your choice below for the specific instructions for yours:
Step 3: Prepare Your File for Installation
While some files end in .exe and automatically install or explode into many files, most files you will download will likely end in .zip.
Since programs almost always include more than one file, think of the trouble it would be to download many files just to get one program to install. A zip file, also referred to as an archive, is an individual file that has files stored within it. When multiple files are combined into one zip file, they are also compressed in size, which has the further benefit of saving hard drive space and shortening download time.
Before you can install ZDNet's Gates Does Windows 95, it will be necessary to unzip (open up) the zip file in order to use the files stored within it. While other utilities are available, we recommend WinZip for unzipping files, and will use this popular shareware program for our exercise.
If you already have WinZip installed and ready for use, click here to go to Step 4.
If you do not already have WinZip, follow the instructions below to install the proper version.
Download and Install WinZip
When the download is complete, use Explorer or File Manager to move to your c:/download folder. The WinZip file (either wznt.exe or winzip.exe) is in the form of an .exe that can be run and installed without any additional help.
Double-click on the file you just downloaded to install WinZip, then follow the easy "wizard" step-by-step instructions. We suggest you take all of the suggested default settings and scan all your drives for favorite folders. Your C:\download directory can then be easily accessed by WinZip for the next step.
STOP when you reach the "WinZip Wizard - Welcome" window, and proceed with the next instruction.
Step 4: Use WinZip to open zdgw95.zip
Let's use the WinZip wizard to open the "Gates Does Windows 95" file we just downloaded. You may wish to read the WinZip instructions before proceeding, so you know what to expect. If you have closed WinZip, click on the icon that was created to restart the program.
WinZip has probably been set up to launch using Wizards,which are interfaces designed to make it easier to use new programs. They present each step in a series of separate windows, with options and decisions for you to make before you click Next to proceed. If you're using the WinZip Wizards, you can expect the following windows:
WinZip Wizard - Welcome
At this time it should not be necessary to click "Options" or anything other than the Next button.
WinZip Wizard - Select Zip File [zgdw95.zip]
Look for and highlight the zgdw95.zip file by single-clicking on it. It will then appear in the title bar as your selected file, so you can press Next.
WinZip Wizard - Unzip [zgdw95.exe]
WinZip suggests that you unzip zgdw95.zip into a new directory called c:\unzipped\zgdw95. It is a good idea to have a special directory for each file you unzip, so things don't get confusing. Click Unzip Now to take the advice of the Wizard.
WinZip Wizard - Unzip Complete
Congratulations! You have finished the unzipping portion of this tutorial and can now click Close.
Note: You may wish to read through WinZip's help file later to learn more about it, or search the ZDNet file library for other programs to handle zip files.
Step 5: Install "ZDNet's Gates Does Windows 95"
If you used the Windows 95 version of WinZip, it will have placed an open Windows 95 Explorer window on your desktop with two files, gdw95.scr and gdw95.txt, inside.
If you used the Windows 3.1x version of WinZip, you will need to use File Manager to navigate to c:\unzipped\zgdw95, where you will see two files, gdw95.scr and gdw95.txt, within.
Files that you download generally will have one or more files that can help you learn about, install, and understand your obligations if you want to continue to use the program. Examples of files that can be opened using Windows Notepad are readme.txt, file_id.diz, vendinfo.diz, and, as with our example, gdw95.txt (product name.txt).
When you double-click on gdw95.txt, the file should open in Notepad. Now you can read all about the screen saver and how to install it. The instructions suggest that you unzip the files into your Windows directory, but since we've already unzipped them into c:\unzipped\zgdw95, you will need to drag each file into your C:\windows directory.
Just follow the instructions in the gdw95.txt file for Windows 95 and 3.1 users, and enjoy this ZDNet exclusive.
Congratulations!
You've successfully downloaded a file and now a whole new world is available to you! The Internet is a great source for finding software gems. By tapping into the Web's motherlode of software, you can try programs to see if you like them before laying out that hard-earned cash, and keep your favorite programs up-to-date by learning to download and install their latest versions.
Most of the files you come across will fall into a few different categories. Freeware and Public Domain software are free for you to use, although you may be required to send the author a postcard or do a good deed in return. Shareware and Demonstration software allow you to try out a fully or partially operational program. If you like it, you can buy the full version or legitimize your copy by paying a fee.
Now that you've gotten warmed up, come on into the ZDNet Software Library! Our library is jam-packed with games, Internet files, Windows 95 utilities, and programs for your home, your children, and you. We consistently maintain over 12,000 titles, each of which we put through a rigorous editorial process before awarding a one- to five-star rating. New titles constantly refresh our offerings, and we routinely eliminate out of date programs, to bring you the cutting edge developments in software. ZDNet users agree by making millions of downloads each month.
We're absolutely confident that the files in our library are the best on the Web and we look forward to having you as a regular member of our community online!
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