I look at most of my Poser downloads by first installing them to a temporary Runtime folder. If I think I'll get a lot of use out of an item, I'll install it to my main Runtime directory. A lot of downloads will create their own Poser tree structure instead of installing to the correct locations within Poser (starting with a Metacreations folder instead Poser or using the item name as the root folder). I've noticed that I can take the Runtime folder and drag and drop it on top of the Downloads folder and let it merge into the Runtime folder that's already in Downloads. Windows asks if I want to overwrite folders with the same name; I say Yes; and everything seems to load okay. I haven't had the guts to do this with my main Poser Runtime, but was curious whether there should be any problems doing it. I would guess the main concern would be overwriting a file that coincidentally have the same name.

I'm still rather new to Poser... You can always make a backup of our original/main runtime folder so you can place it back. I now also create an empty runtime folder (no subfolders) and first install in that one, just to see what is put where and eliminate the P4 versions (I run P5), grouping the readme's etc and organize everything like I hope I'll remember what I put where. I copied the original P5 Runtime, and placed it at another location so that I can use things in it but don't force Poser to load it all. In fact, I suppose freestuff, new things, clothes, props etc all mrit a separate Runtime. Load it when you need it. A bit slower, yes, but when do you need everything immediately? And Poser launches much faster. And it's easier to find things. Ahhh...plans...I'm really hooked I suppose, and I downloaded way too much, and spent much more mney than I ever intended. (welcome to the club I suppose...) What hinders me is the habit of merchants to have their folders start with a ! so that it should be on top. But they all do that, except for some who try to outdo even these. The only effect is that the folder has to be renamed. When overwriting, don't choose "yes to all", but simply yes. Wen a file is found that bears th same name, Win will ask you whether you want to overwrite or not. There are also good apps for organizing Runtimes, but I haven't tried them out yet myself. I will very shortly.

Yes you are correct, files with the same names in the same directories will be over written. I can't honestly think that anyone would want to maliciously over write an existing file but it would be possible. Its also possible for the zip file to include things like web links which add the artists web page link to the Help/Other Web Links menu within Poser. Now whist this is not harmful I take exception to anyone messing with my menus without asking first. So extracting to a temporary folder for inspection and then copying over the Runtime folder with its sub folder and files I'd say would be good practice.