Another 'Duh!' request: I'd like to download a game called "Bookworm" but I never know where to download it to. Does it go to desktop, disk, CD or somewhere else? What are the ramifications of where it goes?
While I'm asking, if you delete an icon from your desktop, does it delete only the icon or the whole program behind it?
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
If you download a file to your Desktop, then deleting it from your desktop will delete it (Well, move it to the Recycle Bin, anyway.)
On my computer, I created a "Downloads" folder on my hard drive that I use as the destination for downloading programs. Every so often I go through that folder and delete the old downloaded files.
Posted by Gary Grant Morris (Member # 1994) on :
I'm not a computer techy whiz-kid or anything but I'll do my best to answer your questions. As far as downloading programs, usually your computer prompts a recommended designation, but if you're unsure, I think it's best to download to C:\Program Files. Otherwise, just opening it on your computer will only allow you use of the program once; then when you want to play the game again, you'd have to download it again, and so on.
To answer your second question--Yes, if you delete the icon on your desktop you are only deleting the icon. Icons are really nothing more than shortcuts to programs. If you want to delete the program then you'd need to go to Control Panel: Add/Remove Programs and uninstall the program. That, in effect, will also automatically delete the icon as well as the program.
I hope that helps. I'm sure other hatrackers could go into more detail
Posted by Gary Grant Morris (Member # 1994) on :
Oh cool, thanks Eric. I didn't know that.
< learning something new everyday
Posted by Jules (Member # 1658) on :
If you'll only want it once (which is usual with downloaded programs, because what you download is a program that installs the actual program and you'll normally only want to install it once) choose 'open from current location'. But make sure that the check mark in 'always ask about this type of file' is set, otherwise it'll always do that in future, which is probably not what you want.
Posted by Jules (Member # 1658) on :
The way to tell if deleting something will actually delete it is if it has a little 'arrow' in the bottom left, it's just a link to the actual program/file, and deleting it won't delete the program. If it doesn't, deleting it will. Except 'special' icons that are installed by the operating system, like Internet Explorer and My Documents.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Speaking of which, I had to reinstall Windows (98SE) recently and the My Documents Icon disappeared. I put up a short cut, but some of the programs that used to go directly to My Documents when I wanted to open something don't go there any more, and when I do My Computer and open the C: drive, My Documents isn't listed.
Any suggestions (aside from reinstalling Windows again) on what to do there?
Posted by EricJamesStone (Member # 1681) on :
Kathleen, try this:
Open the Control Panel and choose Folder Options (or open Windows Explorer and choose Folder Options from the Tools menu.)
Click on the View tab.
One of the checkboxes should be for Show My Documents on the Desktop. If it's not checked, check it and click OK. (If it is already checked, then I don't know what the problem is.)
[This message has been edited by EricJamesStone (edited June 01, 2004).]
Posted by teddyrux (Member # 1595) on :
quote:choose 'open from current location'
I highly recommend that you don't do that. Your antivirus program (you do have one right?) may not be able to scan it. You could also be downloading malicious code (techy talk for viruses and programs that hijack your pc) without knowing it.
In case anyone's curious, I'm a netadmin during my spare time (between 7 am and 6 pm)
Rux :}
[This message has been edited by teddyrux (edited June 01, 2004).]
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Eric, that option isn't there.
I'll try Teddy's suggestion.
Thanks, guys.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
Okay, that seemed to help.
At least, I'm seeing the My Documents folder where I expect to see it.
Thanks again.
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
I'm with teddy about never opening stuff right from the web.
You aren't actually saving memory or HD space, you're simply yielding control of where the file is stored and when it gets deleted. And like he says, depending on how much your operating system likes your antivirus package, there could be more serious repercussions.
Posted by Jules (Member # 1658) on :
I've never come across an anti-virus program that doesn't scan stuff you open directly. Norton and Symantec both certainly appear to.
And the convenience factor of having the file automatically deleted when you've finished is certainly handy.
Posted by Pyre Dynasty (Member # 1947) on :
When you download something you just have to pay attention to the screen that says 'save to' it will show the destination, and you have the option of choosing where it goes. I have to tell my dad this over and over, he once downloaded a program 18 times into some obscure folder till I helped him.
And Kathleen I have 98 too, My Documents is located in C:\windows\profiles\whateveryourprofileis
