Rapidshare is one of the best free file hosting websites. I know many of you already know how to download from rapidshare.com as a free user but this article is for those who are still new in the world wide web(internet) and trying to figure out how to use this free service.

I have few websites and forums where i post comparatively larger files (e.g. large video clips, family photo collection etc.) . Since the size of these type of files are too big, i prefer to upload it to a free file uploading websites like Rapidshare.

Downloading or uploading to rapidshare is easy as 1-2-3. Here is small tutorial on how you can download a file from rapidshare.

How to download from Rapidshare:

1. Once you click on a repidshare.com file download link (example: http://rapidshare.com/files/86931073/THIS_IS_A_TEST_FILE.zip), it will take you to a similar page like below.
   
   Click the above screenshot to view the full image

   Once you see this page, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on the “Free” button. It will take you to the next step of the download process as a free user.

   If you see any warning message like these:
   OR
   OR
   

   This means your download link is not valid anymore.

2. Depending on your file size and location of the server, you will see a waiting time ticker. Sometimes you might see the next stage(step 3 of this tutorial) before any waiting period.
   
   Click the above screenshot to view the full image

   If you have not recently downloaded any file/s from rapidshare, you should see a short waiting period like 1-2 minutes. Otherwise, you might see a waiting time of 1-2 hours.

3. After the waiting period expire, you will see a input box underneath a small image containing few characters like this screenshot below:
   
   Click the above screenshot to view the full image

   You might be able to see an option where you can choose a server from where you want to download the specific file. I normally ignore it because rapidshare will automatically select the best and the fastest server for you.

   If you see the image/code properly, Enter correct characters of the image in the input box. Otherwise, refresh the page and start from the step 1 (your waiting time will be shorter this time, 1-2 minutes maximum).

4. After you type the correct characters of the image in the input box, click on the download button located beside the input field.
   
   Click the above screenshot to view the full image

5. In next step, your web browser (Internet Explorer or Firefox or Opera or Safari, whatever you are using to browse internet) will ask you if you want to save the file on your computer? Click “save” button to save the file on your computer.
   
   Click the above screenshot to view the full image

6. Browse a folder or drive in your computer where you want to store the file. After you select a folder or hard drive (make sure you remember the location of the download), click save to start the download process.
   
   Click the above screenshot to view the full image

7. Once the download is finished, you will see a message that says “Download Complete”
   
   Click the above screenshot to view the full image

I hope this will help many of new internet users to figure out how Rapidshare.com works.