Download this file

Files you've downloaded are automatically saved in the Downloads folder. You can always move downloads from the Downloads folder to other places on your PC. To view files you've downloaded while using Internet Explorer, open Internet Explorer, select the Tools button, and then select View downloads.

You'll be able to see what you've downloaded from the web, where these items are stored on your PC, and choose actions to take on your downloads.

Open Internet Explorer, select the Tools button, and then select View downloads. In the View Downloads dialog box, select Options in the lower-left.

Choose a different default download location by selecting Browse and then selecting OK when you're done. Internet Explorer uses add-ons such as Adobe Reader to view some files in the browser. If a file that needs an add-on won't open, you might have an older version of the add-on, which needs to be updated. When you download a file, Internet Explorer checks for clues that the download is malicious or potentially harmful to your PC.

If Internet Explorer identifies a download as suspicious, you'll be notified so you can decide whether or not to save, run, or open the file. Not all files you're warned about are malicious, but it's important to make sure you trust the site you're downloading from, and that you really want to download the file. If you see a security warning that tells you the publisher of this program couldn't be verified, this means that Internet Explorer doesn't recognize the site or organization asking you to download the file.

Make sure you recognize and trust the publisher before you save or open the download. There are always risks to downloading files from the web. Here are some precautions you can take to help protect your PC when you download files:. If the file has a digital signature, make sure that the signature is valid and the file is from a trusted location.

To see the digital signature, select the publisher link in the security warning dialog box that opens when you first download the file. Windows 10 Internet Explorer Windows 8. Use the latest browser recommended by Microsoft Get speed, security, and privacy with Microsoft Edge. Need more help? Join the discussion. Was this information helpful? Yes No. Thank you! Any more feedback? The more you tell us the more we can help.

Can you help us improve? This article has been viewed , times. This wikiHow teaches you how to download a file from the Internet onto your computer or mobile device. Open a web browser. Search for something to download. Click a search result. Click the Download link. Select a saving location and click Save. Did this summary help you? Yes No.

Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article methods. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Article Summary. Method 1. Click the URL bar. This is the bar at the top of your browser's window where the web address e.

Clicking the URL bar should highlight its contents. Type in the name of an item you wish to download. Your item might be a photo, a document, or a setup file to install a program. Doing so will search for your specified item. This will take you to the item's page.

If you're looking for a photo, first click the Images link below the search bar on this page. Never download a file from a site that isn't reputable.

Click the download link. There isn't a universal "Download" icon, so look for a button that says "Download [program name]" or a link that indicates the same.

Doing so will prompt a pop-up window. If you're downloading a picture, instead right-click or two-finger click on Mac the photo and click Save Image As. When downloading a setup file, you'll usually see the file's name and version number written on the Download button.

Select a download folder if prompted. Some browsers, such as Internet Explorer, will ask you to click a folder e.

Chrome, Firefox, and Safari will all begin downloading the file immediately by default. On Safari, you can click the downward-facing arrow in the upper-right side of the browser window to view the download's progress.

Open your downloaded file. You can do this either by clicking the file's name in the bar at the bottom of the browser window or in the downward-facing arrow window in Safari , or by navigating to your computer's default download location, which is typically a folder entitled "Downloads". You can search for the "Downloads" folder by typing "downloads" into the Start menu Windows or Spotlight the magnifying glass icon at the top of your Mac's screen.

Method 2. Open a browsing app. The default browser app for iOS devices is Safari, which is a white app with a blue compass icon on it. You can't download setup files or text files to your iPhone, but you can download photos.

Navigate to a photo you wish to save. To do so, tap the bar at the top of the screen, then type in the name of an item you wish to view and tap Go. It should be just below the search that's near the top of the screen.

Tap and hold the photo. After a moment, a menu will pop up at the bottom of the screen. Tap Save Image. It's at the top of the pop-up menu. This will download the photo onto your iPhone.

You'll be able to find the photo in your iPhone's Photos app. Method 3. The default Android browser resembles a blue globe, but you can download browsers like Chrome or Firefox from the Google Play Store if you like. Tap the search bar.

It's either at the top of the page or in the middle of the page, depending on your browser. Enter the name of an item you wish to download.

This might be an HTML document or a picture. Tap a search result.