Software Downloads
About Downloadable Software
With Downloadable Software, the files of a software product are delivered to your computer over the Internet. State of the art mechanisms help insure that the files you download that arrive on your computer are the same as they were when they left the Microsoft server.
Benefits
You may be more familiar with packaged software on CDs or DVDs, but there are a lot of benefits to downloading software instead.
Your software is available immediately.
When you buy software on CDs or DVDs, you are advised to make backup discs in case you lose or damage the original discs. With electronic software delivery, your backups are maintained on-line. If you lose your hard drive or have other problems, you can just download your software again.
Returns are easier, and there is nothing for you to mail back.
Downloading software is more environmentally-friendly and saves energy and resources by eliminating the need for product packaging and shipping.
Long Download Availability
Downloadable software consists of two parts: 1) a product key and 2) the software files:
Product keys are kept with your order information in your Account.
Software files are available immediately after you purchase, and will continue to be available until Microsoft ends Mainstream Support for your product. Mainstream Support typically ends five years after a product is released.
For example, if you purchase the Windows Vista and Office 2007 products, Microsoft Store will make them available for downloading until April 2012. You can continue using these products after this date, but you will not be able to download the software files again.
Note: See the Microsoft Support Lifecycle Policy page for more information about Microsoft's Support Lifecycle policy. Look up a product's Mainstream Support date on the Support Lifecycle Index
Download Preference
When you purchase downloadable software, you use the Microsoft Store Download Manager or your browser.
Using the Download Manager - Preferred
Download Manager allows you to:
Download software faster than a browser
Resume your download if your internet connection fails, instead of having to start your download over again.
Control the download with pause and resume.
Immediately launch the setup program for your software when it downloads.
Note: Download Manager is not supported on Macs or with a browser that isn't compatible with Internet Explorer 6 or higher. In those two cases, you can use the standard browser download.
Using your browser
Your browser has the ability to download files too. If you choose to use the built-in browser download feature, you don't need to install the Download Manager. If there are multiple files in the download, there is a list of files and you can download each file, one at a time.
File Download Options
Choosing 32-bit Versus 64-bit
To determine which type of software to download:
Right-click on Computer in Windows Vista or My Computer in Windows XP and click Properties
Look for the System Type which will tell you whether your computer is using a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system (you may see the label "x86" on 32-bit computers or "x64" on 64-bit ones)
For more information see the How to determine whether your computer is running a 32-bit version or a 64-bit version page on the Microsoft Support site.
The ISO Download Format
For various products, you have the option to download your software as an ISO file. An ISO file is a single file that contains all the installation files of your software application in a format that makes backing up to a DVD or USB flash device very easy.
For Windows 7, we provide the Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool that allows you to create a backup of your Windows 7 software using the ISO file. For more information about this tool, please click here.
Installing the Download Manager
If you choose to use the Download Manager, the first time you download software, the Download Manager software is downloaded to your computer. As soon as the Download Manager is installed, it begins downloading your purchased software.
Using the Download Manager
For more information about the Download Manager and its features visit the Download Manager page.
Removing Downloaded Software
Once you have downloaded and installed your software, you can remove the downloaded files. Just navigate to the folder where you downloaded the files and delete them.
The default locations for downloaded files are:
You can uninstall software you do not want. Use the Add/Remove Programs Control Panel in Windows XP or the Programs and Features Control Panel in Windows Vista.
If you want to reinstall your software, and the product is still covered by Mainstream Support, you can download the files again from the Account section of Microsoft Store.
