Why does Microsoft display the software installer size instead ofthe actual software size?

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wreck90

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#77392 16-Feb-2011 02:41

Further to the previous, on the directx install page, it shows the size of the directx download is 286kb.

But, this is just the installer, the actual size is a whopping 90mb+, so, why don't they show that?

bradstewart

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#440065 16-Feb-2011 02:55

Because then people would complain that the file they downloaded was 200Kb and not the advertised 10Mb and we'd have another pointless post here complaining about it.

Nety

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#440068 16-Feb-2011 06:09

Because the install will depend on the PC. In some cases if the PC is already fully up to date then the total install will just be the 286kb. On the other hand if there was only the vanilla OS then the install would be much larger (but still not likely to be 90meg).
This is all made clear on the web site before you download the online updater. Online updater's that only download what YOU need are a good thing, IMHO you should be thankful they have one.

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freitasm

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#440075 16-Feb-2011 07:32

wreck90: But, this is just the installer, the actual size is a whopping 90mb+, so, why don't they show that?

I wouldn't complain about 90MB (which is not the case all the times, depending on what you already have installed)... iTunes, NVIDIA and ATI drivers come in as heavy as that. One would think that a graphics driver would be a lot less than that.

gzt

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#440105 16-Feb-2011 09:10

Yeah, I find links to those annoying as well - mainly because this kind of download is not designed to be archived, then used/reused at will when you need it. I usually look for the full redistributable download and use that.

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#440112 16-Feb-2011 09:25

Smart move.

CopperKonic

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#444620 1-Mar-2011 22:24

Yea, It saves a whopping 286 Kb :D

Dratsab

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#444995 2-Mar-2011 22:04

CopperKonic: Yea, It saves a whopping 286 Kb :D

"Oooo - what was that?"

"It was a point: Sorry, you missed it..."

If you've got a bunch of machines, it'll save you downloading the actual update multiple times, which is far, far more than 286Kb.

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CopperKonic

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#445008 2-Mar-2011 22:39

Oh yes, that is true, and if you have an external drive, just back up said files to the external, in case for some reason one has to completely wipe ones computer, you have all the update files ready for it, without having to re-download them.