What is the difference between “Extracting” and Installing”?

Question

Today I was downloading something and then when I got to the directory thing it had 2 buttons “Extract” or “Install” and i was confused, so can anyone explain?

In: Technology

Answer 1

Extracting will just dump all the contained files in to a directory. Installing will do that and then run the contained installer program.

Answer 2

Extracting is taking the Ikea desk parts out of the box you bought them in, installing is assembling the parts into the desk.