Top Download Center categories

Microsoft is committed to providing its customers with software that has been tested for safety and security. Although no system is completely securewe use processestechnologyand several specially focused teams to investigatefixand learn from security issues to help us meet this goal and to provide guidance to customers on how to help protect their PCs.

As part of the Microsoft software release processall software released to the Download Center is scanned for malware before it is made available for public download. Additionallyafter releasethe software available from the Download Center is routinely scanned for malware. Microsoft recognizes that the threat environment is constantly changing and will continue to evolve over timeand we are committed to process improvements that will help protect our customers from malware threats

The Microsoft Download Center has recently been revised to better serve you as a one-stop shop for products available for purchasein addition to products and downloads available for free. For your convenienceitems available for purchase are linked directly to Microsoft Store. Items available as free downloads are linked to details pageswhere you can learn more about them and initiate downloads.

If you would like Microsoft to scan your computer and recommend updatesplease see the preceding question. If you would like to search for specific downloadsstart by using one of these methods.

• To find products and downloadsin the navigation bar that appears across the center of the Download Center home pageclick an icon.
• To search more specifically for a product or downloadon the menu bar displayed near the top of the pageclick a menu name and then click a product or download.
• To search by keywordat the top of the pagein the Search Download Center search boxtype the word or words you wish to search for.

On the Search results pageyou may see the following:

• An Editor's choice listing of products and downloadswhich are recommendations based on the search term.
• A Sort by box on the right side of the page. Click the down arrowand select a display order for the search results.
• A list of Filter options on the left side of the page. Click a Filter option to narrow the list of items displayed in the search results. The Filter option operates together with the original search term to narrow the scope of search results.

When you see the item you’re interested inclick the item link to find out more about downloading or purchasing it.

Microsoft delivers downloads in more than 118 languages worldwide. The Download Center now combines all English downloads into a single English Download Center. We no longer offer separate downloads for U.S. EnglishU.K. EnglishAustralian Englishor Canadian English.

Select a Worldwide download from the English-language site

1. On the download details page for a particular itemunder Quick detailsyou will see a Change language box. Select the desired language from the drop-down list

Note: The Change Language box appears only when a worldwide version of the download is available. If the box does not appearthe download has not yet been made available in languages other than English. If you see the boxbut a specific language is not listedthe download is not yet available in that language.

In this sectionyou will find links to other Microsoft websites that offer downloads. Note that almost all of the downloads available from these websites can also be found in the Microsoft Download Center; howeverthe other Microsoft sites may offer services and information that you may not find in the Download Center.

If you are looking for downloads for the Windows operating system or for Microsoft Officetry using Windows Updatewhich helps you keep your computer up to date without requiring you to visit the Download Center.

• DirectX downloads

  Get the latest version of Microsoft DirectXand find other important DirectX updates for your version of Windows.

• Service Packs for Microsoft Products

  Download service packs containing updates for system reliabilityprogram compatibilityand security. See which service packs are currently available from Microsoft Help and Support.

• Windows Media Download Center

  Amplify your play with Microsoft Windows Media Playerencoderscodecsand other related downloads.

• Azure downloads

  Get SDKs and tools for managing and interacting with Azure services

• Windows developer resources

  Get downloads and tools for Windows development

• Code samples

  Get started with Microsoft developer tools and technologies. Explore our samples and discover the things you can build.

When you click a download item in the Download Centeryou will be directed to the download details page for that download. Most of these pages follow a standard format and include most of the sections described here.

• Quick details

  The Quick details section contains helpful summary informationincluding the name and size of the download file and its date of publication.

• Change language

  In some casesyou'll see a Change language boxfrom which you can select a language other than English. Note that some downloads are not available in all languages. In additionnot all non-English downloads are accompanied by localized details pages. As a resultyou may find English descriptions and instructions on pages for non-English downloads.

• Download button or link

  For each file listedyou will see a Download button or link in the Quick details section. Click this button or link to begin the download.

• Overview

  The Overview section includes a brief explanation of the issues addressed by the download and the benefits it provides.

• System requirements

  Always check the System requirements section to make sure your computer is compatible with and has the space required to install and run the download. This section may also list required or recommended application software.

• Instructions

  Review the Instructions section before clicking the Download buttonso you are prepared for any steps you may need to follow.

• What others are downloading

  This lists other items downloaded by people who also downloaded the current item. Information about these related downloads can be very helpful.

• Additional information

  This provides further information that is either directly related to the current download or is meant to help keep your system running securelysuch as security update information.

• Related resources

  These links take you to how-to informationnewsgroupsspecial offersand other resources pertinent to the download you have selected.

Before you can use any software that you downloadyou must install it. For exampleif you download a security update but do not install itthe update will not provide any protection for your computer. Follow these steps to save and install a download:

1. On the download details pageclick the Download button.
2. A dialogue box will open. Click the Save button.
3. You will be prompted to select a location for the download on your computer. Select an appropriate locationand click the Save button.
4. When the file has finished downloadingyou will see a second dialog box. If you want to install the file immediatelyclick the Open button. This launches an installation wizard.
5. If you do not want to immediately install the fileclick the Close button. When you are ready to install the filedouble-click the file to launch the installation wizard.

Note: When you save a download filemake sure to save it to a location that you will remember when you are ready to install the download. We suggest creating a special folder on your desktop to which you always save downloads. Follow these steps to create such a downloads folder:

1. Right-click an unused area of your desktop.
2. Point to Newand then click Folder.
3. Give the folder a namesuch as My Downloads.