How to Download and Install Software

Are you a newcomer to the fun and exciting world of software downloads? Well, you've come to the right place. Just follow our step-by-step download guide, and you will be on your way to happily enjoying WaveBreak Software products for years to come!

Step 1: Downloading the File

To begin your software downloading experience, select any application of your choice from WaveBreak Software's ever-growing line of software products. When you find one that you like, click on a download link like the one shown here:

If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, you may receive a security warning message like this one:

This is an important message from Microsoft Windows. It is warning you that downloading software from a company you do not trust could harm your computer. (See below for additional precautions you can take.) If you trust WaveBreak Software, then proceed by clicking the "Run" button. (In some cases it might say "Open".) If for some reason you do not trust us, then please tell us why as soon as possible.

If you are among the growing number of people using Netscape Navigator, you will most likely see a window similar to this one:

In most cases, Netscape Navigator will not let you open a software file directly. Rather, it must be saved to your hard drive. Click the "OK" button and select a location to save the file if necessary. If you are using a fairly recent version of Navigator, the file will appear in Netscape's "Download Manager". Proceed to Step 2 for more information.

Step 2: Opening the File

All right, the file has been downloaded, and your computer is ready to use it. So far, so good! If you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer, you will probably get another security warning, like the one below:

This is another important message from Windows, again urging you to be sure that you trust the company that this file is coming from. For your protection and safety, all software files from WaveBreak Software are digitally signed and certified. (Click here for more information on this fascinating subject.) You can view our certificate information by clicking on our company name in the window. Click "Run" when you are ready to proceed with software setup.

Users of Netscape Navigator will now most likely see the "Download Manager" in one the following formats:

In the first case (top-left), you will have to click the right mouse button over the file name, then click "Launch" to start the software setup program. In the second case (bottom-right), just click "Open" to start the program.

Next, depending on your settings, you may see Netscape's security warning message, as shown below:

This message is very similar to the warnings from Internet Explorer: Make sure you trust the company that this software comes from! When you are ready to proceed with the setup program, click "OK".

Step 3: Installing the Software

Now comes the best part: Installing the software and trying it out! Whichever browser you are using, you should see this window:

For a virtually pain-free installation, all programs from WaveBreak Software are distributed as "self-extracting executables". (Don't worry — that's not some strange, medieval torture device. It's just a type of file that compresses all of it's data into a tiny package, and then automatically retrieves it for a quick and easy setup. Whew, what a relief!) Just click the "Setup" button, and the setup file will be running before you can say "Wowsers! That was fast!"

You should now see the setup program's "Welcome" screen, as shown here:

Congratulations, you've almost made it! Just follow the simple instructions on the screen, and in a matter of minutes (maybe even seconds) you will be enjoying your brand new software!

Some Words of Caution

Of course, there are some very good reasons why Windows blasts all of those "Security Warning" messages at you — not all software out on the Internet is safe. It's an unfortunate fact, but there are people out there with nothing better to do than write computer programs that cause headaches for the rest of us.

It is these types of individuals that have given software downloads a bad name. So, whenever you are considering downloading a piece of software, do a little homework first, just to be on the safe side:
  • Take whatever steps you can to verify that the file is coming from a real company.
  • Check to see if the file is digitally signed and certified. This serves as a guarantee that the file comes directly from the software company and has not been tampered with in any way.
  • Be suspicious if the program requires that you install several other programs along with the one you actually wanted. This is a sure sign that software you don't want on your computer will be there.
  • Be VERY suspicious if the program was sent to you in an unsolicited ("spam") email. People sending these emails are already violating 'Net etiquette and should be shunned like the plague that they are.

With these and other common-sense rules in mind, downloading and installing software from the Internet can be a fun and safe way to try all sorts of programs you never even knew existed! So, get out there, be safe, and have some fun! (You might also be interested in reading our Soapbox article: What don't I just use free software?)

Our Software:

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