I downloaded Norton Internet Security from the Net. Tried to install it but ran into a problem so I want to do an XP Home System Restore to a date earlier than the download. Doing so will lose all the recent downloaded Internet files so I need to find the NIS download file and burn it to CD before doing the restore. The desktop icon properties show the path but Windows Explorer only shows four temporary Internet folders, I think it creates new ones for each session, and I cannot find earlier ones. I've tried "show hidden files" but without success and have run a search in Explorer as well.

Any suggestions on how I can find older downloaded Internet files?

Where the download is saved depends on your browser settings and whether you selected a folder at the time.
If you can remember the name of the downloaded file (or part of it) you can do a search for that file. If you cannot remember go back to the download site and follow the links to download and at some stage the filename will be visible.

Rimmer is right. When I do that I go back to where I did the download and try to do it again. Then when the save box comes up, you'll know where it is because it defaults to the same place. At that point just cancel the download.

It is a good idea to create a folder called "downloads" (for example) and make it a habit to always direct your downloads to that folder; that way you will always know where to look for them, even many days later.
Regards,
John

Or you could just use Firefox and use there default settings of downloding everything right to the desktop so you can see it right after its done.