The very first step is to create a special folder on your computer where all of your downloaded files will be saved. This is a very important step that many downloaders forget, or are just too lazy to do. It only takes a few seconds to do, but it will save hours of your time from having to search all over your computer for that file which you just downloaded. Saving everything into ONE folder makes it easy because you only have to look for it in ONE location, saving you precious time and effort of scrambling to... OK, OK, you get the point. I'm going to save you the time, and get on to how to creating that special directory.

The first thing that we have to do is decide where you want the folder to reside. Many people think it's easier to create the folder right on the Windows Desktop, but, I think it is more of a hassle in the long run. Sure, it may take less clicks to reach that folder on the desktop, but, sooner or later, you'll be running into files where they require you to type in the location of your downloads folder. Having your downloads folder on the desktop usually means having to type in something to the likes of C:\Windows\Desktop\Downloads or maybe even C:\Documents and Settings\user\Desktop\Downloads, if you're lucky enough to be using Windows 2000. Now, I don't know about you, but I'd rather type in something shorter (like C:\Downloads) than those two examples. So, I suggest you create it right at the root of your hard drive, right underneath C:.

To do this, first open up Windows Explorer (usually by going to the Start menu, then moving up to Programs, and finding it somewhere in there--it will be in Accessories if you're using Windows 2000). Make sure the drive C: is selected and open, and not any of the folders underneath it, and go File -> New -> Folder. Type in "Downloads" and press Enter on your keyboard. There! Now wasn't that easy? You can now close Windows Explorer, and are now officially ready to get downloading!

On to: Finding What to Download