Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Computer won't download/install programs

Aug 19, 2009 12:12AM PDT

Hi

I am having a problem downloading (or maybe installing) programs from the internet. This started a few days ago although I don?t know what caused it as I?ve not been doing anything differently or out of the ordinary.

Basically, whenever I try to download anything (eg MSN, google earth, etc), I can get to the stage where I click ?run? and then NOTHING! I am using Windows Vista (with administrator status). I only installed the vista updates a few weeks ago so I am fairly sure I am running the most up to date version. In order to try and fix this, I have done the following, but its not fixed it:
Run Malwarebytes
AVG
Run disk check
Defragmented the drive
Deleted internet history (including cookies)

Any ideas? I will be so so grateful!!!

Thanks

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Just To Be Clear...
Aug 19, 2009 12:22AM PDT

You've downloaded the Google Earth installer file to your computer desktop or some other folder.. Once it's there, you double click on the installer file and it won't run. Is that correct?

Or when you attempt to download the Google Earth insaller file to your computer, it doesn't make it to your desktop or folder?

Or are you performing the online installation of Google Earth while connected to the internet and it doesn't work?

Which version of Internet Explorer do you have installed? (Open IE, then click on "Help" in the upper left, choose "About Internet Explorer".)

Since both MSN and Google Earth have "online" installations, have you tried installing other programs? For example, if you don't already have the Firefox browser installed on your computer, can you download the Firefox installer from the link below to your desktop? Once there, can you double click the file and does the program install.. (You might want to try installing Firefox and see if you can then install Google Earth from Firefox instead of Internet Explorer.) If Firefox installs correctly, you can always uninstall it if you don't like the secondary browser.

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html

Hope this helps and let us know more.

Grif

- Collapse -
hopefully more clear
Aug 19, 2009 12:49AM PDT

Thanks for the reply, to answer the questions:

1. Google Earth (and everything else) do not seem to download anywhere (I've checked all the folders I can think of, and the desktop - Obv Happy ) so there are no installer files. When trying to download, the furtherest I can get is to click run. I hope this makes sense?

2. By online installations, do you mean downloading the program from the internet to be saved on the computer(because this is what I mean) or like when you run a program on the internet (eg youtube videos) (as this doesn't seem to be a problem)

3. I have IE8 installed (I've had it for months, its not newly installed)

4. I've tried to download Firefox but as I am trying to download it from the internet, I'm running into the same problem!

I hope I've made sense...

- Collapse -
Others Are Having Such Problems With IE8... Please Try
Aug 19, 2009 6:38AM PDT

...Uninstall Internet Explorer 8 by opening the Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs, then find the Windows Internet Explorer 8 listing and "Remove" it.. After restarting the computer, it should revert to IE7 and your problems should be cured.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
uninstaling internet explorer 8
Aug 21, 2009 6:12PM PDT

Hi Grif

I tried to do this but there is no option to remove the internet explorer in the add/remove programs list. Is there anywhere else it may be?

Thanks

- Collapse -
It Should Be Listed Under...
Aug 22, 2009 5:11AM PDT

the normal location for Vista.. To uninstall Internet Explorer 8 in Vista, go to Control Panel (Classic View), and click on the "Programs and Features" icon. Then on "Tasks" pane on the left, click on "View installed updates" link. Locate and select "Windows Internet Explorer 8" in the list of installed updates, and then click on "Uninstall" button. Click on Yes when asked that are you sure want to uninstall the update.

And if tje IE8 uninstaller isn't there, then you should be able to uninstall it by following the instructions in the link below:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/957700

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
IE8/IE7
Aug 23, 2009 3:38AM PDT

Hi,

I've done this, hasn't solved the problem Sad. but thanks for all your help, if you have any other ideas, please, send them my way!

- Collapse -
Possibly related
Aug 19, 2009 2:48AM PDT

Do you have the latest service packs for your OS (what is it btw?) or have you recently restored your OS?

- Collapse -
reply
Aug 19, 2009 9:48PM PDT

I'm using windows vista (if thats what you mean, sorry, I'm not much of a techie!). I run the last windows update about 2-3 weeks ago so I think its all up to date. I havn't done a system restore as it will only allow me to go back to the weekend, and this problem started a few days before that. Hope this answers the question! Thanks

- Collapse -
have you shut IE off before the download completes?
Aug 23, 2009 3:17AM PDT

I've only ever had this problem twice. Both times, I attribute it to the fact that I closed the IE window before the download was done and I'd clicked "run". In both cases, I went back to the download site, started the download, left the IE window open, and (when it was done) clicked run. It worked fine, then.

- Collapse -
reply
Aug 23, 2009 3:41AM PDT

Hi,

I always leave it open as I download things, so its not that I'm afraid. But thanks for your help!

G

- Collapse -
can't download and run programs
Mar 24, 2010 4:06AM PDT

I was just wondering if you ever found out why you can't run programs. I to have the same problem. I click to download something, then click run and nothing, like nothing happens after that, so I can never install something I am trying to download. I also cannot open up attachments in my email. I saw that you downloaded AVG. I am wondering if there is a problem with that as I to had downloaded it , then decided to uninstall it, ever since have had the problems with running stuff. Just curious if you ever found a cure maybe you can share, this is so annoying!

- Collapse -
Please help!
May 31, 2011 2:45PM PDT

I know this forum is old, but it seems I am having the same problem. Did you ever find an answer?

- Collapse -
And You've Tried The Suggestions Mentioned In The Thread?
Jun 1, 2011 4:45AM PDT

On a separate computer, download the Firefox browser and see if it helps. Unfortunately, you've given us NO information about your computer or the things you've tried to fix the issue.. Operating system? Make and model of computer? etc.

And because malware can cause such problems, download the free Malwarebytes programs and it's manual updater from the links below:

Malwarebytes Installer Download Link (Clicking on the links below will immediately start the download dialogue window.)
http://www.besttechie.net/tools/mbam-setup.exe

Malwarebytes Manual Updater link
http://data.mbamupdates.com/tools/mbam-rules.exe

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Yes, I've tried the suggestions above.
Jun 1, 2011 8:15AM PDT

I have a Windows Vista laptop. I recently wiped everything off my laptop and returned it to factory settings about a week ago. I am now having problems downloading programs from the internet. I tried restoring my laptop and it didn't solve the problem. I have also tried downloading MalwareBytes software, but unfortunately, I cannot download some things from the internet. My laptop allows me to download internet browsers and iTunes, things like that... But not much else.
I ran three computer scans with Norton and nothing was found.

- Collapse -
Please Try Reinstalling All Drivers From...
Jun 3, 2011 6:26AM PDT

...the computer manufacturer's website.. Once that's done, because Norton frequently causes such issues, try temporarily uninstalling Norton, or at least disable its realtime scanner, to see if you can use your browsers and download things of your choice.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
I uninstalled Norton.
Jun 6, 2011 5:37PM PDT

Sadly, uninstalling Norton did not work. It seems no one can fix this problem. :/

- Collapse -
As A Last Resort Here..
Jun 7, 2011 9:25AM PDT

We use the recovery disc or recovery partition to reinstall everything from scratch.

Still, using a separate computer to download the drivers for your machine, should allow you to copy those drivers to a CD or flash drive, then transfer them to the problem computer.

Hope this helps.

Grif

- Collapse -
Possible solution
Aug 18, 2016 9:21PM PDT

I'm not sure if this will help, but I stumbled on this after having a similar issue. I was able to download and save the .exe, but when I double-clicked on it, nothing would happen.

I right-clicked on the .exe file, selected "Properties", and down at the bottom of the dialogue box was an option to "Unblock" the file. It said it had come from another computer and was blocked to help protect the computer. I clicked "Unblock" and "OK". When I double-clicked on the .exe again, it opened and ran.

I'm also using Vista, so I wonder if that has something to do with this problem.