Viewing WMF files - help please

I understand so little about computers that I'd really appreciate some help.

I have a very old clip-art CD (from Serif) which is absolutely brilliant but of course, with Windows 7, I can no longer preview the WMF files on it. I've looked on the Microsoft site on the net and it appears there is a way round this by using something called 'IrfanView', when I've clicked on the link for IrfanView it appears to offer two options, a download and/or a plug-in. So, my (probably daft) questions are ...

1 What's the difference between a 'download' and a 'plug-in'?
2 Can I have one without the other and which should I use?
3 Since I'm paranoid about downloading anything would this IrfanView be 'safe', or is there another option?

Sorry to be so dim, but I'd be grateful for any suggestions.

 

Go for the download.

A plug in, if you will, is like an optional extra. But it will only "plug in" if what you already have is compatible.

example of a plug in:
here, have this paint roller for your painting
Its of no use, I only have a paint tin (roller wont fit in the tin)

example of a download:
here, have this paint roller for your painting
Its of no use, I only have a paint tin
here, have this paint tray too.
thanks (paint goes into roller tray, roller fits in roller tray)

So if you get the download, you should get everything required. "daft" thing is how do you get a plug in? you download it. (I am being pedantic)

 

Ohhhh that's absolutely brilliant, (and I'm very 'at home' with pedantic!) thank you very much for taking the trouble to explain to a numpty - now that you have, of course it makes perfect sense.

It's not as though it's really that important, just one of those annoying things - well that and spending hours opening random images until, by luck, you hit on the right one.

Again, thank you.

 

My grandaughter uses this as it gives more choice 32 and 64 bit win7 options

http://www.mysticcoder.net/mysticthumbs.html#download

 

I would have thought that Paint which is accessory of Windows should be able to open WMF files.

Faststone Viewer which is free - as well as being one of the best image browsers available - is able to open WMF files
http://www.faststone.org/FSViewerDetail.htm

Kevin

 

Thank you to everyone who has been kind enough to reply. I've now downloaded IrfanView which is perfectly adequate for my needs.