Support Guides
How to Download Software
Never downloaded anything before? Don't worry, it's easy!
Pretty soon, you'll be downloading all kinds of new goodies for your computer.
What is Downloading?
Downloading is a process that lets you copy a file, such as a computer program, from
one computer to another computer over the Internet. When you download a computer program
from our server, that means you are copying that program from our computer to your computer
so that you can install it and run it.
What is a Trial or Demonstration Edition?
A demonstration edition, also known as a trial edition or product demo, lets you try out
the software before you decide to purchase it. Demonstration software may or may not have
all of the features of the full product, but generally contains enough to give you a pretty
good idea of what the software does. This lets you try the product to see if you like
it before you commit to purchasing the software. Some demo versions may have certain limitations
that the purchased version does not; for example, the demonstration versions of some products
may limit features like saving or printing.
Steps to Downloading
The exact messages that appear differ slightly from computer to computer depending
on what operating system and browser you are using, but the basic steps remain the
same. There are three basic steps:
- Select the software you want to download.
- Save the software to your computer.
- Locate the software and run the installation program.
1. Select the software you want to download.
Our downloads page has a list of all the software that is available to download
at this site. To learn more about the software before downloading it, click the
link that reads "Product Info". When you have decided what software you would
like to try, click the link that reads "Download".
2. Save the software to your computer.
Visiting a product download page will cause most browsers to automatically
prompt you to save the software. If your download does not start automatically,
click the link provided on the page to start the download.
You may see a message asking you if you want to save the file or run it
from its current location. Choose Save. If your browser doesn't ask you this
question, don't worry. Some browsers assume you always want to save the file.
You should see a "Save As" dialog box asking you where you want to save your
file. Choose a folder and click Ok. Make sure you remember what folder you put
the file in! Some people like to make a special folder just to save their downloaded
files in, such as "My Downloads".
Your browser will now start downloading the file to your computer. Depending
on the size of the file and how fast your Internet connection is, it will take
anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes to download the file. Most browsers
will display a progress meter that will let you know how much of the file has
been saved. Just leave the progress dialog alone and you can use your computer
for other things while you wait... or, use this as a good excuse to grab some coffee
and enjoy a nice stretch.
3. Locate the software and run the installation program.
Always WAIT until the software is FINISHED downloading before attempting to install it.
If you try run the software before the entire file has been saved, it won't work.
If the progress dialog does not close automatically when the download is complete, go
ahead and click the close button.
Open the folder where you saved the software and double-click on the software's icon.
This will launch the setup program. Follow the directions on screen to install the
software to your hard drive.
After you have installed the software, you can either delete the downloaded file, or
save it for later. Once the setup program has installed the software to your hard drive,
you no longer need the downloaded file unless you want to re-install the software later.
Many people like to save downloaded programs to removable media.
Enjoy your new software!
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