Download
Sometimes abbreviated as DL, D/L, or DLing, download describes copying data from one computer to another, either over a network or modem. For example, each time you visit a web page on the Internet, you download the information on the page, including any pictures, to your computer. The term download is often associated with pictures, songs, videos, and programs.
When you download a file or program, you may see a down arrow with an underscore indicating the download was initiated. You can also view and manage the downloads in most browsers using the Ctrl+J keyboard shortcut.
Copying vs. downloading
Many new computer users inappropriately refer to copying files on their computer as downloading. Copying is duplicating a file on the same computer, while downloading is transferring a file from a different computer to yours.
Download vs. upload
Downloading is receiving information from another computer or server. Uploading sends information from your computer or device to another computer, device, or server. While browsing the Internet, you're mostly downloading information.
For example, your computer needed to download the text and pictures to view this page. When you purchase a digital copy of a game online, you'll have to download the software before installing it on your computer. A good example of uploading is sharing photos from your smartphone to a social media site.
Downloading a hard copy
Generally, nothing needs to be downloaded to create a hard copy (printout) of a document, web page, recipe, etc. The program you're using to view said media can usually reproduce it without performing a download.
Examples of sites from which you may download
Below are some popular websites where you can download files, audio, video, and games.
What is a good download speed?
A reasonably good download speed is about 25 Mbps or faster. Users who do not play online games or have multiple people watching streaming content can get away with 10 Mbps. If only one person uses the Internet for basic tasks like e-mail and browsing, 5 Mbps may be enough. However, as the quality of content increases and resolution rises, these baseline numbers will rise.
If you're on a connection lower than 10 Mbps, you may experience buffering when participating in online video calls or watching YouTube, especially when you share a network with others.
A speed over 50 Mbps is considered excellent.
How fast can I download?
A number of factors that determine how fast something downloads. Below are these factors listed in order of most important to least important.
- Connection - The most important factor is how you connect to the Internet and its speed. For example, someone with a dial-up connection downloads a lot slower than someone with broadband.
- Remote connection - The computer you're connecting to must also have a fast connection. You can have the fastest Internet connection in the world, but if you connect to a computer with a slower connection, you can only download at their speed.
- Size of file - The file size of the download is also important to how long it may take to download. For example, a 1 MB file would download faster than a 1 GB file.
- Number of connections - If the server you're connecting to is overwhelmed with other people at the same time, it can reduce your speed.
- Location and hops - Connecting to a server in a different part of the world may require a lot of hops, which decreases the download speed.
Buffer, Computer acronyms, Data transfer, Digital distribution, Downstream, Drive-by download, Game terms, Internet terms, Modem terms, Network terms, Pull, Receive, Streaming, Upload