Something I'm not quite clear on . . . When I download something 'necessary' (like I was going to download some spyware), and I say I want to save it on my computer instead of just opening it, do I assume that the folder that comes up is the appropriate one to save it in? (the spyware download was going into "My Documents") (which didn't seem right . . .)

But, my sense of it is that all the "pieces of parts" go where they need to go and where I choose to put the folder is merely so I know where to find it?

And please correct me if I'm not using the right terminology! (although I'm pretty sure "pieces of parts" isn't a technical term!)

When you download some software it is normally in the form of a setup file rather than all the individual files. When you use the setup file to install it the files that it makes go into the correct locations leaving the setup file intact where you downloaded it.

Unless there are specific instructions to download something to a specific folder - you can just put it anywhere basically. (i normally use the Desktop - and it looks untidu, although I do have a My Downloads Folder i created)

I hope your not actually downloading spyware as that will harm your computer, do you mean anti-spyware.

Chris

Oops, yes I meant antispyware. But thanks for having my back! And it's nice to know my "pieces of parts" theory was basically right. It doesn't matter where I put the file 'cuz the contents know where they need to go.

But, conversely, if I want to get rid of it, how do I know if I "trash" it or uninstall it? Just by opening 'add/remove programs' and see if it's in there? (I'm scared of that folder! :-) )

Don't go round deleting files associated to it when it is installed, go to add/remove programs and uninstall it from there.