What is the difference between downloading and installing?

Answer 1

Downloading and installing can actually be two steps to get to your one desired goal; or can be separate functions used independently of one another.

For example, if you want to install a free or paid-for software product off the internet or from a CD-Rom, first you have to "download" the product onto your computer desktop or file. Then you will be required to "install" it onto your computer hard drive so you can actually use the product. Some examples of products like this might be an Intuit-brand Quicken or QuickBooks product or a Microsoft Money product; or the AVG free Virus protection product.

Or, sometimes all you may need or want to do is just download info that doesn't require installation. An example of that is online banking and using Quicken or Microsoft Money products already installed on your computer. Once you open the money management programs, you would go into them and go to your online banking and download your monthly statements.

Finally, there may be times you will download general information from the Internet to your printer to print out for your own purposes. An example of that might be viewing information here on Wiki.Answers.com. You would find the answers to your questions and print them out for later use.

To sum, downloading is a more simple process than installing an item; and more frequently done by the user. If you are needing to stay cutting edge in today's world, you will more than likely find yourself downloading and installing on a regular basis to keep up with the fast-paced and ever-changing world of the Internet.