How to Download Files
from the Web to your Computer

In most web browsers, clicking on the desired topic using the left (or only) mouse button will open the file in your browser, but will not save a copy of the file on your computer. However, you might want to save the file to the hard drive or other disk of your computer, instead of simply viewing the file in your browser. There are several reasons why you might want to do this, but some of the most common reasons are:
  1. You want to save a personal copy of the file and edit or modify it yourself. For example, the file may contain a form that you need to fill out with information about yourself.

  2. You connect to the internet using a modem, and you don't want to endure a slow download more than once.

  3. The version of the Microsoft Office application (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.) that presents the file in your web browser is less fully featured than than the full application running "standalone". You will have more flexibility in viewing and printing Microsoft Office files if you download them to your local disk and then open them outside your web browser using the appropriate Office application.

The technique for downloading a web file (rather than viewing it) varies slightly by web browser. In general, you can click on the file link with the right mouse button and choose "Save As..." from the pop-up menu. If you're a Mac user with a one-button mouse, you can do either of the following:

  • To get the same effect as right-clicking with a two-button mouse, hold down the "Control" key while clicking on the file link.
  • To download the file immediately (i.e, without seeing a pop-up menu and having to select "Save As..." from the menu), hold down the "Option" key while clicking on the file link.