How To: Fix Errors in Downloaded Files

The files that can be downloaded from this site have been checked for errors. Most files are downloaded hundreds of times a day, so any problems will quickly become apparent, and be corrected just as quickly. So when problems are experienced with a downloaded file, this is unlikely to be a fault in the copy of the file on the website. It is nearly always because the downloaded copy is corrupt or incomplete.

Errors that may be experienced with downloaded files include the following:

Program is not a valid Win32 application. This error message is a sure sign of an incomplete download. Sometimes the downloaded file has a plain icon instead of the usual installer icon, because the part of the file that contains the icon image is not present. The remedy for this error is to download the file again.
Messages about file corruption. This is also likely to be caused by a corrupt or incomplete download. In this case, enough of the file was downloaded that the installer could run, but its built in checking routines have detected an error in the part of the file containing the files to be installed. The exact wording of the error message depends on the software that was used to create the installer. The remedy is to download the file again.
Messages such as "error copying file" during installation. Error messages about reading, writing or copying specific files, occuring during an installation, may be caused by a corrupt download. They may also be caused by a lack of free disk space on the drive the software is being installed on, or by anti-virus software blocking access to the files. If deleting the downloaded file and downloading it again does not resolve the problem, try repeating the installation with your anti-virus scanner disabled.

Downloading the file again

Web browsers cache (keep a copy of) files that have recently been downloaded, to save time if the files are accessed again. This means that you might get a second incomplete copy of the file if you try downloading it again.

To ensure that you do get a fresh download, carry out the following steps:

Delete the original download file.
Flush your web browser cache.
- In Internet Explorer: Tools, Internet Options, General tab, Delete Files.
- In Firefox: Tools, Options, Advanced, Network tab, Cache, Clear Now.
Then start the download again.

If you often have trouble downloading large files, or have an unreliable Internet connection, it may be worth while using a download manager or download accelerator. This improves speed and reliability by downloading files in several pieces, and can also resume interrupted downloads so you don't waste time downloading the same data over again.

Virus alerts

Software downloaded from Tech-Pro.net are all products of reputable, trusted developers. All downloads have been checked and were free of viruses, spyware and other malware at the time of checking.

If your anti-virus software reports a virus in a file that you have downloaded, or in one of the files contained in a product after it has been installed, this is most likely to be a false alarm.

The best way to tell whether a file really contains a virus is to upload it to VirusTotal. VirusTotal will scan the file using a dozen or more different virus scanners. If the file is claimed to be a virus by only the virus scanner you are using, then it is a false alarm.