Help! When I download software off the Net I get a window that asks me to choose the program I want to use to utilize the software, followed by a list of programs: Outlook, Media Player, Explorer, Norton, etc. How do I know which one to use?

Also, I have downloaded software but when I bring up Start/Programs, it isn't there, so I can't create a shortcut. Where is it?

I think I have asked these questions before but if I got an answer I either didn't understand it or I have forgotten it. Sorry about that!

Catty

Catty, first and most importantly, happy birthday!

Now to business...are you familiar with the term "File Extension"? It is the (usually) 3 characters following the period mark in a filename. For instance, in the filename:

john.doc

the

.doc

portion is the file extension.

It is the file extension that tells the Windows Operating System what program to open when you attempt to "open" the file.

When you don't have the appropriate program for the file type installed on your computer, or if the program is not "associated" with the file type, Windows will open a "Open With" window to allow you to select the program you wish to use to open the file type. By checking the option at the bottom of the "Open With" window, (Always use this program to open files of this type) the file extension will be associated with the program you selected.

About File Extensions.

You can use the link above to look up the particular file extension for the file that you've downloaded. It will (where appropriate) tell you the name of the program(s) that can be used to open or "run" the file.

In many cases, you can download a free or shareware program to read the file. Microsoft offers a number of "Viewer" programs to reads file extensions like .doc, .ppt, and .xls (and others). My site has a link to the Microsoft Office download page: Click here and look for the Microsoft Office link.

Note: this is a new address

What is the file extension for the file you're trying to download? Perhaps we can help you locate the appropriate program.

I hope this will help!

Dwight

quote:

---

Originally posted by Dwight:

When you don't have the appropriate program for the file type installed on your computer, or if the program is not "associated" with the file type, Windows will open a "Open With" window to allow you to select the program you wish to use to open the file type. By checking the option at the bottom of the "Open With" window, (Always use this program to open files of this type) the file extension will be associated with the program you selected. Dwight

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Dwight, is there a way to set it so that that little "always use" box is not checked by default? I forget to uncheck it and then when I chose the wrong one out of 20 on the list how do I change it?

Hi gatman, I think you might be running Win 98 if so, hold down the shift key then right click on the file you should now see an option "Open With" left click on this and your options should be restored you can also use the Select
Program/Browse button.
Happy Holidays.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: DorianGreyed,

thanks redder. yes i'm running 98. sorry i neglected to put that in. Can it be set as unchecked as the default? Everytime it has come up it is automatically checked.

But I think I should add one small detail...Add: First, select the file by a single left click, then:

"... hold down the shift key and then right click on the file; you should now see an option "Open With"...left click on this"

This action will open the "Open With" Window.

This works for Windows 98 and all subsequent versions, to the best of my knowledge.

"Dwight, is there a way to set it so that that little "always use" box is not checked by default?"

Gatman, in my Windows 98 machine, if I uncheck the option and then click OK, the next time I open the "Open With" window, the option is unchecked. I do think it will only remember your selection choice if the "OK" button is used.

You can "undo" any "file association" you've made in error by using redder's

"select/press Shift key/right-click/click "Open With"

procedure.

Also, opening a file via the reverse procedure gives you the opportunity to use the "Files of Type" box at the bottom of the "Open" window.

Open the program you want to try to open the file type. Click File/Open and navigate to the file's save location. In the save folder, use the various choices in the "Files of Type" option box and see if one of them allows you to "see" the file. If so, you may be able to open the file that way.

I hope this helps!
Dwight

[This message was edited by Dwight on 12-21-02 at 09:11 AM.]

Thank you Dwight. Between you, redder, and several others here I am going to learn more about this thing than I really want to know.

Dwight, I see what you mean. If the extension is .doc it would open in Word, if .mp3 it would open in the media player, etc. That much is clear.

The problem is, I don't always see the file name. I click on "download this program/file now" and it downloads. It doesn't tell me where the program/file is going, so I can't see the address. Sometimes I have a choice where to put the file, most often, not.

Another problem is, often after I download programs like shareware, etc., I look in Start/Programs and they aren't there. Does Start/Programs list every program you have?

The one I am currently trying to download is Desktop Banjo, from Desktopbanjo.com.

I use Windows ME and MSN 8.

Thanks

Catty

The file name of the "Desktop Banjo" download, is

dtb_10s.zip

I found this at this site:

http://www.desktopmusic.com/banjo.html

This file type is a .zip file, which means that it is compressed. To open it, double click on the file. That should open a utility program which will "de-compress" the file, and (usually) offer to start the installation of the program. Often these files are compressed to save space on the Web server and speed the file download.

If, when you double click the dtb_10s.zip file, you get the "Open With" window, it means you will need to download and install a de-compression utility program. One I like is WinZip. It is available at:

http://www.winzip.com

I have two Web pages about downloading and installing WinZip, and using WinZip. Both pages can be accessed at

http://www.dwightblackburn.com/links.htm
There are also a couple of pages about downloading and installing programs.

With reference to your question:

"Does Start/Programs list every program you have?"

It depends on where the program's writer decided to place the program shortcut, but most generally it will be in your Program Menu list. It usually will be the last entry, because Windows does not automatically alphabetize the Start Menu. You can sort the Program Menu alphabetically by right clicking the menu and choosing the option "Sort by Name".

I hope this helps!

Dwight

It will give you the option of specifying exactly where your temporary downloads go (they go there while the file's being downloaded), where your completed downloads go, and pausing (especially good for large files that take a long time to download) then later resuming (most files have this capability, not all) your download.

I use Fresh Download. There is no adware or spyware embedded in this program...I love it. They ask you to register (for free) and they will periodically send you a newsletter about updates and a few other products of theirs, but you can unsubscribe at any time. You won't get emails from anyone but them.

I highly recommend it...I've been using it for a year now.

Uh, sorry, Dwight, but where do I find the "Program Menu list?"

Catty

Click the Start Button, go to Programs

That is what I referred to as the Start Menu Programs list (because it is a menu that lists programs).

Dwight

Well, Dwight, I have several programs that aren't showing on the Program Menu.

I will get WinZip and go to your pages and read them, and read the link about file extensions, and perhaps I will understand then.

Sonnet, thank you for the link, I will pursue that also.

Sorry to be so obtuse, it's not deliberate.

Catty (who has, er, well, handicaps)

quote:

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Originally posted by cattywampus:
Well, Dwight, I have several programs that aren't showing on the Program Menu.

---

This may sound very basic, but are you sure you're looking at ALL of your programs? When you go to Start>Programs, do you see a list of your programs and two little arrows at the bottom of the list? If so, rest your mouse over the arrows or click the arrow, and it will show the complete list of all of your programs.

Catty, with reference to your comment, "...I have several programs that aren't showing on the Program Menu."

These shortcuts may have been lost when you had your Windows ME Operating System reinstalled. Depending on the procedure used by your computer technician, the Start Menu may have been reset to it's original configuration. Programs that were installed later may not appear in the list.

You can reinstall any program from the Program's disk and the program shortcut should be restored to the Program menu.

In peace,
Dwight

[This message was edited by Karrow on 01-04-03 at 06:05 PM.]

I expect that is what happened, Dwight. I'll try that.

Thank you again.

Catty

[This message was edited by Karrow on 01-04-03 at 06:07 PM.]

I am probably showing my ignorance, but to find anything that is lost, couldn't you go to Start, Search (or Find),and click on "for files or folders." Type in the name of what is lost, and click Find? After it is found, rightclick on it, and "create shortcut."

I don't know, Dixie, maybe you are right, but it's neither a file nor a folder I'm looking for, it's a program.

Catty