How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

SUMMARY

This article tells you how to obtain Microsoft drivers, patches, Application Notes, and other support files by downloading them from various online information services. This article contains information on the following topics:

   General Instructions for Downloading
      MS-DOS or Windows-Based Files (.exe)
      Macintosh-Based Files (.hqx or .sea)

   Specific Instructions for Online Information Services
      World Wide Web (WWW) on the Internet
      Microsoft Anonymous ftp Server on the Internet
      Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR DOWNLOADING

The files Microsoft posts on online services are usually compressed, self- extracting files.

NOTE: Small files may not be compressed. These files will appear with their original extensions and are not self-extracting.

MS-DOS or Windows-Based Files (.exe)

If a compressed, self-extracting file is MS-DOS based or Windows based, it has an .exe extension. These files were compressed using IExpress or the PKWare file-compression utility. To correctly download and extract an .exe file, follow these steps:

1. Locate the file you want to download using one of the methods described in the sections in the "Specific Instructions for Online Information Services" section of this article.

2. If you are downloading to a floppy disk, you need a formatted, blank disk. If you are downloading to your hard disk, create a new folder in which you can temporarily place the file and extract it.

   CAUTION: Do not download files directly into your Windows folder. Doing so could overwrite files essential to the proper operation of your system.

3. Follow the downloading procedure used by your service to retrieve the file you identified in step 1. Download it to a floppy disk or to a new folder.

4. To extract the contents of the self-extracting .exe file after you download it, type the following from the command prompt or the Run command

         <path\filename> -d
   

   where <path\filename> is the location and name of the downloaded file. For example, if you downloaded Sample.exe to C:\Download, type the following at the Run command:

         c:\download\sample -d
   

   NOTE: Although you can double-click a self-extracting .exe file to extract its contents, this step provides a method that ensures a recursively compressed file will maintain its file structure.

Macintosh-Based Files (.hqx or .sea)

If a file is Macintosh based, it has an .hqx extension (except on MSDL, where some files have .sea extensions). An .hqx file is a BinHex 4.0, text- formatted file. After you download the .hqx file and copy it to your Macintosh, decode it with BinHex 4.0 (or another utility that understands BinHex 4 format, such as Stuffit or CompactPro). Decoding converts the .hqx file into a binary-formatted, compressed .sea file. To extract the contents of the file, double-click the <Filename>.sea icon.

SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR ONLINE INFORMATION SERVICES

Downloading a File from the World Wide Web (WWW) on the Internet

To download a file from the World Wide Web, follow these steps:

1. Connect to Support Online at the following address:

         http://support.microsoft.com/support/default.asp
   

2. If you know the name of the file you want to download, select your product, type the file name in the "I want to search for" box, and then click Find.

1. On the menu bar on the left, click Downloads.

   If you do not see Downloads, click Show Long Menu to expand the menu.

2. On the Downloads page, click the product area in which you are interested.

3. Some product areas have additional categories. If the product area you selected has more categories, select the category in which you are interested.

4. The file names and the corresponding descriptions are displayed. Click the desired file.

5. If your Browser asks you if you want to save the file, click the save option. Select the destination folder (the floppy disk drive or the folder to which you want to download the file) and click Save.

Microsoft Anonymous ftp Server on the Internet

If you are connecting using an Internet Browser:

1. In the address area of your Internet browser, type the following and press ENTER:

         ftp.microsoft.com
   

2. Click the Softlib link and then click the MSlFiles link.

3. Scroll through the list of files to locate file you want to download.

   Note that the files are listed in alphabetical order.

4. Click the file name link <FILENAME.EXT> to download the file.

1. Type the following at the ">" prompt:

         ftp ftp.microsoft.com
   

2. When prompted for a user name and password, type "Anonymous" (without the quotation marks). Use your email address for the password.

3. Change to the Softlib/Mslfiles folder. To download a file, type the following at the ">" prompt

         Get <FILENAME.EXT>
   

   where <FILENAME.EXT> is the name of the file you want to download.

4. Type BYE to exit ftp.

Microsoft Download Service (MSDL)

Using your modem, dial-up (425) 936-6735. This service is available from 1 AM to midnight, 7 days a week. The highest download speed available is 14,400 bits per second (bps). For complete information about using the MSDL, obtain the Application Note GA0604, "Microsoft Download Service (MSDL) Instructions" from online services, or see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base article:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q85774
   TITLE     : Instructions for Using the Microsoft Download Service
               (MSDL)