WestNet:Using Downloaded Files

Quick Reference

Zip Files | Executable Files | Viruses

Look at the extension on your downloaded file. Dowloaded files come in one of two types:

To use a zip file, you will need another program to "unzip" it, where an executable file does not need another program.

The Zip File

"Zipping" a file is a form of compressing a file's (or a set of files') data to make downloading faster. A simple code will "unzip" a .zip file. Special programs will do this for you. Two of the best known programs are PKUNZIP (for DOS) and WinZip 6.0 (for Windows).

PKUNZIP and WinZip follow simple procedures (similiar to File Manager or Windows Explorer) in unzipping files. PKUNZIP is more menu and text oriented. WinZip is more graphically oriented, using buttons instead of menus.

In either program, select the file you downloaded, and choose the unzip command. The zip file will "explode" into multiple files.

The Executable File

To use a downloaded executable file:
  1. Move the downloaded file to an empty directory, such as C:\DOWNLOAD\TEST, by using the Move command in File Manager or Windows Explorer.

  2. Choose Run from either the File drop-down menu (Windows 3.1) or the Start button (Windows 95).

  3. In the dialogue box, enter the directory and file name of the .exe file, and click OK. The file will run and extract itself.

The executable file has now "exploded" into multiple files.

Viruses

One of the dangers of downloading programs is viruses. A virus is a program which can totally criple your system by erasing or destroying files. There are many manufacturers that create programs to protect your computer, such as Mc Afee.

Mc Afee Anti-Virus is probably one of the best anti-virus software programs available. It runs two ways: one which checks all the files on the system at start up and one that always runs in the background of Windows to watch for viruses.

Once a file is downloaded, make sure some type of anti-virus software is used to check for viruses. The last thing you want to happen is to damage your PC's files from an infected program.

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