There is nothing within those folders that has an "exe" in the name of the item.
On newer versions of Windows, ( since about Vista ) you may need to change your windows explorer settings to show the extensions
1) launch windows explorer ( yellow folder icon on the task bar in 8.1 )
2) select view
3 on the ribbon, check the box that says "file name extensions" in the "show/hide" section
So I am able to download the software onto my PC, but then have no clue how to implement it so that is reconfigures my system to run the program.
I am trying to clarify the terms used here...
You first need to "download" the software ( get the program installer from the internet, I assume ), then you likely need to "install" it. Since the release of Windows Vista, I recommend right clicking on the installer program and selecting "run as administrator". I've found that even if you are an administrator account on the PC, the UAC sometimes will block registry changes causing install issues unless you the installer this way. Once you have installed the program, you may not find any shortcut/icon to launch the new program ( in windows 8 or 8.1 ). Solve this by finding the executable ( filename with the exe extension ), RIGHT click the executable and drag to your desktop ( hold the right button down while moving the cursor ). When you release the mouse button, you should have a context menu with an option to Create shortcut here. Left click that option and you will now have a shortcut on your desktop to launch the new program.
Windows 64 bit versions will usually install 32 bit programs under "Program Files (x86)". The hierarchy is typically: Computer \ Drive ( C: ) \ Program Files or Program Files (x86) \ publisher \ program name \ program files.
Example:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 11.0\Reader
Then in this folder/directory you would find AcroRd32.exe - the executable for acrobat reader.