At some point we all need to download something from the internet. It might be a program, a PDF form, a photo or a manual for your new printer.
It doesn’t really matter what it is. Downloading just means copying a file from a website onto your own computer, and the way you do it is pretty much the same every time.
In this guide I’ll show you how to download files from the internet in Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, how to find them again afterwards, how to save them straight to a USB stick, how to download files people share with you, and what to do when your browser warns you about a download.
Quick Answer
Click the Download button or link on the website. Your browser saves the file into your Downloads folder. Press Ctrl + J to see your downloads, then click the file to open it.
Table of contents
- How to Download a File in Chrome and Edge
- How to Find Files You’ve Downloaded
- How to Download Something Straight to a USB Stick
- How to Download a Picture from a Web Page
- How to Download Files Someone Has Shared with You
- What to Do with the File You’ve Downloaded
- When Your Browser Warns You About a Download
- Scan Downloaded Files Before You Open Them
- Example: Downloading a Free Program the Safe Way
- Troubleshooting
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Summary
How to Download a File in Chrome and Edge
Most websites give you a Download button or a download link. Click it and your web browser does the rest.
While the file is coming in, Chrome and Edge both show a small download icon at the top right of the window. It looks like an arrow pointing down.
When the download finishes, a small panel drops down showing the file. Click the file’s name to open it.
If the panel has closed before you got to it, just click the download icon again.
Using Firefox? It works the same way, with the same downward arrow at the top right of the window.
How to Spot the Real Download Button
This is where a lot of people come unstuck. Some download websites are covered in adverts, and the adverts are made to look like download buttons.
Here’s how to tell them apart:
- The real button is usually right next to the program’s name and version number.
- Adverts often have a tiny “Ad” or “Sponsored” label, or a small “i” in one corner.
- Be suspicious of big green buttons saying things like “Start Now” or “Continue”, or anything that wants you to install something else first.
- Check the name that appears in your download panel. It should match the thing you were after.
Watch out for adverts in your search results too. When you search for a program on Google or Bing, the first few results are often adverts, marked “Sponsored” or “Ad”. Scammers buy these adverts to send people to fake copies of popular programs, so scroll past them to the maker’s real website.
Whenever you can, download from the maker’s own website or the Microsoft Store rather than from a download site.
How to Find Files You’ve Downloaded
Unless you’ve told it otherwise, your browser puts everything it downloads into the Downloads folder. There are two quick ways to get to it.
Press Ctrl + J to See Your Downloads
The quickest way to find something you’ve just downloaded is to press Ctrl + J while your browser is open. Chrome opens its full download history, Edge opens its downloads panel, and Firefox opens its Library window. It works in all three.
Next to each download you’ll find Show in folder. Click it and File Explorer opens with the file already highlighted.
The Downloads Folder
Windows keeps a folder just for downloaded files. Open File Explorer and you’ll find Downloads in the list on the left.
The files you downloaded most recently are usually at the top. If they aren’t, click the Sort button and then Date modified to sort them.
Want your downloads to go somewhere else, or want your browser to ask you every time? I show you how in Change Download Folder in Chrome, Edge and Firefox.
How to Download Something Straight to a USB Stick
I often get asked how to download something onto a memory stick or flash drive. You can, and you don’t need to change any settings to do it.
- Plug your USB stick into the computer.
- Right-click the download link or button on the website.
- Click Save link as.
- In the Save As window, click your USB stick in the list on the left. It usually shows up under This PC with a drive letter, such as E: or F:.
- Click Save.
Quick Tip
Save link as doesn’t work on every website. Some download buttons take you to another page rather than straight to the file, and you end up saving a tiny web page instead of the program.
If that happens, download it the normal way, then copy it from your Downloads folder onto the stick. I show you how in How to Copy Files to a USB Drive.
How to Download a Picture from a Web Page
You can save pictures from most websites, even when there isn’t a download button.
Right-click the picture, then click Save image as.
A Save As window opens. Choose where you want the picture to go, give it a name if you like, and click Save. If the Save As window is new to you, How to Save a File walks you through it.
Just remember that most pictures online belong to somebody. Saving one to look at is fine. Using it on your own website, or selling it, usually isn’t.
When a Picture Saves as WebP Instead of JPEG
Sometimes you’ll save a picture and find it’s a .webp file (or .avif) rather than the .jpg you expected. That isn’t something you’ve done wrong. Lots of websites now send pictures in these newer formats because they’re smaller, and your browser simply saves what it was sent.
If you can’t see the .webp on the end of the file name, Windows is hiding it. I show you how to turn file name extensions on further down.
Windows 11 opens WebP pictures fine, but some older programs and photo printing websites won’t accept them. To turn one into an ordinary JPEG:
- Right-click the picture in File Explorer, click Open with, then Paint.
- In Paint, click File, then Save as, then JPEG picture.
- Give it a name and click Save.
How to Download Files Someone Has Shared with You
Family and friends often share photos and documents as a link rather than an email attachment, usually through Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox or WeTransfer.
Clicking the link opens the file on their website so you can look at it, but it isn’t on your computer yet. To keep a copy, you need to download it.
- Click the link you were sent. The file or folder opens in your browser.
- Look for a Download button or a downward arrow, usually at the top of the page. If you can’t see one, click the three dots (…) and it’s normally in there.
- Click it. The file goes into your Downloads folder like any other download.
If they’ve shared several photos or a whole folder, it usually downloads as a single zip file. You’ll need to unzip it before you can see the photos, which I cover in the next section.
Be Careful with Shared Links in Emails
Fake “someone has shared a document with you” emails are one of the most common scams around. They look just like the real thing.
If you weren’t expecting a file, don’t click the link. Check with the person first, by phone or text. And be very wary of any link that asks you to sign in with your email address and password before it shows you the file. That’s how these scams steal passwords.
I explain how to spot these in What Is Phishing? How to Spot a Phishing Email.
If it’s your own OneDrive that’s full and you want to get your photos off it, What to Do When OneDrive Is Full shows you how to download everything safely first.
What to Do with the File You’ve Downloaded
What happens next depends on what kind of file it is. These are the ones you’ll meet most often. For everything else, How to Open Files on a PC has you covered.
Turn On File Name Extensions First
The kind of file is shown by the few letters at the end of its name, after the dot, such as .exe, .zip or .jpg. These are called file name extensions, and Windows hides them unless you tell it not to.
- Windows 11: open File Explorer, click View at the top, then Show, then File name extensions.
- Windows 10: open File Explorer, click the View tab, then tick File name extensions.
It’s a good safety check as well. Scammers give files names like invoice.pdf.exe. With extensions hidden, all you’d see is invoice.pdf, which looks like a harmless document. With them showing, you can see it’s really a program.
I explain file extensions properly, including which ones to be wary of, in A Beginner’s Guide to File Formats and Filename Extensions.
Programs (.exe and .msi Files)
A program you download is usually an installer. Double-click it to start installing.
Windows will then ask “Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?” Before you click Yes, look at the Verified publisher line underneath. It should name the company that makes the program, for example Microsoft Corporation for PowerToys.
If the question says “…from an unknown publisher…” instead, Windows can’t confirm who made it. That doesn’t always mean it’s bad, as some small free programs aren’t signed, but it’s a good moment to stop and check you got it from the maker’s own website.
Read every screen as you go, because some free programs try to sneak extra software in. How To Install Programs Without The Junkware shows you exactly what to look out for.
Zip Files (.zip)
A zip file is a bundle of files squashed into one so it downloads quicker. You need to unzip it before you can use what’s inside.
- Right-click the zip file and click Extract All.
- Click Extract.
A new folder opens with everything inside it.
Windows 11 can open .rar and .7z files the same way. On Windows 10, you’ll need a free program such as 7-Zip.
Never Open a Password-Protected Zip File
If a zip file, or a .rar or .7z file, asks you for a password, don’t open it. That goes even when the password is given to you right next to the download or in the same email.
A password locks the file so nothing can look inside it. That includes your web browser, your email and your antivirus. Scammers know this. They lock their malware inside a zip, hand you the password, and leave you to unlock it yourself once it has slipped past every check.
Scanning the zip file won’t help either, because your antivirus can’t see what’s inside it. Just delete it.
The one exception is a file you were expecting from someone you know, such as payslips from your employer or paperwork from your accountant. Genuine senders usually agree the password with you beforehand, or send it separately by phone or text message, not in the same email as the file.
If you’re not sure, ring them and ask. Use a phone number you already have, not one from the email.
PDF Files
PDFs often open inside your browser instead of downloading. That’s handy for reading, but the file hasn’t been saved.
To keep it, click the download or save icon at the top right of the PDF. Or go back, right-click the link to the PDF, and choose Save link as.
Want to turn an ordinary web page into a PDF instead, such as an order confirmation or a recipe? I show you how in How to Save a Web Page as a PDF.
When Your Browser Warns You About a Download
Chrome and Edge both check files as they download. If something looks risky, they stop it and warn you. Don’t panic, but don’t just click past it either.
Download Warnings in Google Chrome
Chrome’s warnings come in different strengths:
- Dangerous. Chrome has found malware. It blocks the file and won’t let you keep it, and you shouldn’t want to.
- Suspicious or uncommon. Chrome isn’t sure about the file. You get a choice to delete it or download it anyway.
- Encrypted. The file is a zip with a password on it, so Chrome can’t look inside. Delete it, for the reasons I gave in the zip files section above.
If Chrome says a file is dangerous, delete it and find what you wanted somewhere else.
Download Warnings in Microsoft Edge
The warning you’ll see most often in Edge says a file “isn’t commonly downloaded”. That doesn’t mean it’s a virus. It means Microsoft hasn’t seen many people download it yet, and new or small programs get it all the time.
If you’re sure it’s what you wanted, from a website you trust:
- Press Ctrl + J to open the downloads panel.
- Click the three dots (…) next to the file.
- Click Keep.
- If Edge asks again, click Show more, then Keep anyway.
If Edge says a file was blocked because it’s unsafe, delete it.
“Windows Protected Your PC”
This one comes from Windows rather than your browser. You’ll see it when you open a program you’ve downloaded, and it means Windows doesn’t recognise the program yet.
Click More info to see the program’s name and who made it. Only click Run anyway if the name is right and you downloaded it from the maker’s own website. If you’re not sure, click Don’t run.
Windows Security can also block apps it thinks you won’t want. I explain how that works in Reputation Based Protection in Windows 10 and 11.
Scan Downloaded Files Before You Open Them
Whenever you download anything from the internet, it’s a good idea to give it a quick scan with your antivirus software.
You don’t need a full scan. Scanning just the one file only takes a few seconds.
- Windows 11: right-click the file, click Show more options, then Scan with Microsoft Defender.
- Windows 10: right-click the file and click Scan with Microsoft Defender.
If you use a different antivirus program, such as Avast or AVG, you’ll see its own scan option on the same menu.
Fed up with clicking Show more options? You can bring back the old Windows 11 right-click menu.
You Should Still Proceed with Caution
Even after a quick scan, treat anything you download with a bit of suspicion. Antivirus programs aren’t infallible, and scanning one file is better than nothing, but it isn’t a guarantee.
If you have the Pro edition of Windows and you’re really not sure about a program, try it first in Windows Sandbox, a throwaway copy of Windows that disappears when you close it.
And if you think something has already got past your antivirus, you can scan your computer for malware your antivirus missed.
Example: Downloading a Free Program the Safe Way
Let’s put all that together with a real example, Microsoft PowerToys. It’s a free set of extra tools for Windows made by Microsoft, and it’s a good one to practise on because there are two right places to get it and plenty of wrong ones.
The easiest and safest is the Microsoft Store. Search for PowerToys, check the publisher says Microsoft Corporation, and click Get or Install. The Store downloads and installs it for you, so nothing lands in your Downloads folder.
The other official place is Microsoft’s own page on GitHub. There you’ll find two files with almost the same name. Both are genuine, they just install in slightly different ways.
Anywhere else, like a download site offering “PowerToys free download” under a big green button, is exactly the sort of site this guide has been warning you about.
My How to Install Microsoft PowerToys guide goes through both methods step by step, including which of the two GitHub files to pick.
Troubleshooting
The Download Is Stuck or Says “Failed”
Check your internet connection first. Then press Ctrl + J to open your downloads. A failed download usually has a Resume or Retry option next to it.
If that doesn’t work, go back to the website and click the download link again.
If it fails because the disk is full, your computer has run out of space. Your Downloads folder is a good place to start clearing, because it fills up quicker than most people realise.
The File Ends in .crdownload
A file ending in .crdownload is a download that didn’t finish. Chrome and Edge give a file that name while it’s still arriving, sometimes with “Unconfirmed” and a number in front.
You can’t open it. Either resume the download from Ctrl + J, or delete the .crdownload file and download it again.
Firefox does the same thing, but its unfinished downloads end in .part instead.
Nothing Happens When I Click Download
Some websites make you wait a few seconds before the download starts. If nothing happens after that, look for a link saying something like “click here if your download doesn’t start”.
Also check you didn’t click an advert by mistake. If a new tab opened, close it and go back.
If you’re downloading several files from the same page, your browser may show a small box asking whether the site can download multiple files. Click Allow, or only the first file will download.
The File Isn’t in My Downloads Folder
Your browser may be set to save somewhere else, or it may have asked you where to save and you picked a different folder.
Press Ctrl + J and click Show in folder next to the download. That always takes you to wherever it went.
My Old Downloads Have Disappeared
Look in the Recycle Bin first, in case they were deleted by hand. If they aren’t there, check Storage Sense. It’s a Windows clean-up feature that can delete files from your Downloads folder if you haven’t opened them for a while.
It’s switched off for the Downloads folder unless someone turns it on, but it’s easy to turn on without realising. To check it in Windows 11:
- Open Settings, then click System, then Storage.
- Click Storage Sense.
- Find Delete files in my Downloads folder if they haven’t been opened for more than and set it to Never.
One more thing worth knowing. Removing a file from your browser’s download list doesn’t delete the file, and deleting the file doesn’t remove it from the list. The list and the Downloads folder are two separate things.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does downloading actually mean?
A: Downloading means copying a file from the internet onto your own computer. Uploading is the opposite, sending a file from your computer to a website, such as attaching a photo to an email or backing it up to OneDrive.
Q: Where do my downloads go on Windows 11?
A: Into the Downloads folder, which you’ll find on the left of File Explorer. In Chrome, Edge or Firefox you can press Ctrl + J to see your latest downloads.
Q: How do I download files on a laptop?
A: Exactly the same way as on a desktop PC. If you’re using the touchpad, tap it with two fingers to get the right-click menu for Save link as and Save image as.
Q: Which version should I download, 64-bit or ARM?
A: Nearly every Windows 10 and Windows 11 PC needs the 64-bit version, often labelled x64. To check, open Settings, then System, then About, and look at System type. If it mentions an ARM-based processor, pick the ARM64 version if the website offers one. If it doesn’t, the normal 64-bit version will usually still work.
Q: Is it safe to download files from the internet?
A: Mostly, yes, as long as you download from the maker’s own website or the Microsoft Store, read any warning your browser shows you, and scan files before you open them. Take the most care with programs (.exe files) and anything you didn’t go looking for.
Q: Can I download YouTube videos?
A: YouTube only allows it through YouTube Premium, and even then the videos can only be watched inside YouTube, not saved as a normal file. Websites and programs that promise to download YouTube videos for free are some of the worst on the internet for fake download buttons and malware, so I’d steer well clear of them.
Q: Why does my downloaded Word or Excel file say Protected View?
A: Microsoft Office opens files from the internet in Protected View to keep you safe. If you trust the file and need to type in it, click Enable Editing. But if a document you weren’t expecting then tells you to enable macros or content, or to change a setting to make it work, don’t. That’s a common way of sneaking malware onto a PC.
Q: Do downloads disappear if I use private browsing?
A: No. Anything you download in a Chrome Incognito or Edge InPrivate window is saved to your Downloads folder like any other file. Only the browser’s list of downloads is cleared when you close the window.
Q: Why isn’t my Microsoft Store app in my Downloads folder?
A: The Microsoft Store installs apps for you, so they never go into Downloads. Look for the new app in your Start menu instead.
Q: Is saving an email attachment the same as downloading?
A: Yes, it’s the same idea. Saving an email attachment copies it onto your computer, and it usually lands in your Downloads folder too.
Q: Can I still download files with Internet Explorer?
A: No. Microsoft retired Internet Explorer in 2022. If you have a blue “e” icon on your taskbar, that’s Microsoft Edge, its replacement, and downloading works just as this guide shows.
Summary
Downloading works the same way in any web browser. Click the download link, and the file lands in your Downloads folder. Press Ctrl + J any time you can’t find it.
The things worth remembering:
- Download from the maker’s own website or the Microsoft Store whenever you can.
- Right-click and choose Save link as to put a download straight onto a USB stick.
- Turn on file name extensions so you can see what you’ve really downloaded.
- Never open a zip file that asks for a password, unless you were expecting it from someone you know.
- Read your browser’s warnings rather than clicking past them.
- Give anything you download a quick scan before you open it.
Once you’ve done it a few times, downloading becomes second nature.
Related Posts
How to Scan Your Computer with Avast Free Antivirus
How to Scan Your PC with AVG Free Antivirus
Scan Your Computer for Malware Your Antivirus Missed
How to Use Private Browsing in Chrome and Edge
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You can find this and other related step by step guides in – At Home Computer Internet Guides