I want to download a video sent from Canada and my Windows won't do the job. What steps do I take now?

Enable Downloads

First, make sure that your computer is set up to allow downloads. This is done via the Security tab in Internet Options. Launch Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options and click the Security tab. Click the Custom button and then scroll through the list in search of the Download area. Make sure that Download is set to Enable. If this setting is currently set at Disable, then you won't be able to download files from the Internet.

Also, if your computer does not download anything, it is possible that parental or employee controls have been installed on the computer as a security measure.

Identify Video File Type

Next, if your computer downloads files fine, but the video won't open, your next task is to identify the file type. The file will have a filename and a file extension such as "mymovie.wmv." In this example, the file extension would be ".wmv" which is a Windows Media Video file. Knowing this, you can then figure out which media player to use (in this case, Windows Media Player would do the trick).

If your computer is not displaying the file extension, right-click the Start button and choose Explore (or Open Windows Explorer if you have Windows 7). Click Organize > Folder and Search Options. Click the View tab and make sure that there is no checkmark in the box that reads, "Hide extensions for known file types."  

Choose Correct Video Player

In order to view a video, you need a media player that supports the video's type. If you have a Windows computer, you already have Windows Media Player which may or may not be compatible with the video that you are trying to view. Try updating Media Player by going to Help > Check for Updates as this may add compatibility to the Media Player since the last update was performed. If this doesn't work, you may want to download Apple QuickTime or Real.com's RealPlayer. You can also search the Internet for information about that file extension along with which media player is capable of playing it.

Celeste Stewart | February 16th, 2010
Tags: Downloading Video, open video, video download
Categories: Multimedia

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