Saving images and files from the internet

 

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Saving images and files

A man watches a download screen on his smartphone while he has a cup of coffee

What's coming up?

Sometimes, you may want to save forms, documents or images from the internet.

Saving something from the internet is often referred to as downloading.

In this activity, you'll found out how to download and save images and files from websites.

Start activity
A search engine image results page showing a range of red cars

Copyright

At some point, you may like to use things that you see on the internet, such as photos or text.

But don't forget that websites and their content may be copyright protected - in the same way that books and artworks are.

You should not use images from a website or content from online documents without first getting the permission of the website owner.

Make sure you read the website's Terms & Conditions before you download anything.

Images

Lots of websites have pictures and photos that you are free to use, although you should always check this beforehand.

Images on websites come in a variety of formats. These images usually have small file sizes and so are quick to save. Some higher-quality images have larger file sizes.

Most images you can download are in a format called JPG (pronounced jay-peg).

a JPEG icon

Downloading photos

If you have permission to download a photo from a website, here's what to do.

For this example we'll show you how to do it using a PC. The process is similar on whatever device you use.

Saving images from the internet: Downloading photos

This demonstration video is approximately 35 seconds in duration. It demonstrates how to download photos from the internet.

Once the video starts, the intro panel fades and we see the screen is split into two parts. On the left-hand side is an animation of a web page showing stock images. On the right-hand side, there is text displayed, which is the script for the voiceover track.

Voiceover: "First, move the cursor over the image you want to download so that the arrow is on top of the image."

The left-hand panel shows the cursor moving down the web page until it is over a picture of a dog.

Voiceover: "Then, click the right mouse button and select Save Picture As. This tells the computer to save, or keep, the image."

The left-hand panel shows the mouse cursor right click on the image to open a pop-up menu of options. The cursor then moves to the Save picture as option and left mouse button clicks on it.

Voiceover: "The Save picture window opens. Choose where on your computer you want to save the picture and then select the Save button. It's as easy as that!"

The left-hand panel shows the cursor select the Desktop folder and then move down to the Save button, ready to click.

Video ends.

Saving a picture

Which option from this list would you select to save a photo?

E-mail picture

Click to flip

Sorry, that's not correct. Have another go.

Print picture

Click to flip

Sorry, that's not correct. Have another go.

Save picture as

Click to flip

Yes, that's right. Save picture as is the option you would choose.

Downloading documents

Many websites contain documents or forms that you can download. The most common format for downloadable documents is the Portable Document Format - otherwise know as pdf.

If you want to read a pdf, most modern computers come pre-installed with Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a popular program to use for reading pdfs. If you don't have this program installed, however, many browsers will also display a pdf for you to read. Right mouse click on the pdf document, and choose one of the pdf-friendly programs available on your computer.

a PDF icon
a window that asks if you want to download a file, giving the options to open, save or cancel

Saving other documents

Sometimes a website might have other documents that you want to download, like PowerPoint, Word or Excel.

Clicking on these documents will often open a File download window. This gives you the option to Save the document so that you can open it later.

alt-text

eSafety tip

Only download items from trusted websites. Some files can contain unwanted software that can damage your computer or try to steal your information.

Find out more about how you can protect your computer and your privacy in our Downloading and saving documents course, and our Advanced online security courses.

A father and daughter enjoy some screen time together looking at their laptop

Congratulations!

You've completed the Saving images and files activity.

In this activity you've seen how to download images and documents from websites. You've also found out that you need to consider copyright before downloading content.

Up next, if you have registered and are logged into the Be Connected website, you'll now be able to take a short quiz to finish this course. If you're not registered, you are now at the end of the course.