Step by Step guide to installing a user made 'single player map' for the Complete Beginner
by Sleepy

 

Step 1
For the downloads.... You will need a utility like winzip 8.1 SR-1 to open the files.  Click here to go to Winzip's home page. Download the evaluation copy to your desktop and then double click on it to install the program. Don't worry it is perfectly safe and a well used program by many.  Also although it is an evaluation download it doesn't expire so you don't have to buy it....  Follow the instructions and once it is installed it will automatically work as the default 'uncompressor' of your downloaded files.  When you install it you will have the choice of using the 'wizard' interface or the 'classic' interface.  I use the wizard and it is easier. If the above sounded confusing, don't worry it isn't...its very straightforward.

Step 2
Now to downloading maps... Make a folder somewhere on your desktop or 'my documents' and rename it Settlers maps or whatever you want to, to remind you what's in the folder.
Do you know how to do that?  I'm trying not to assume anything here with this tutorial and I dont want you to read it and think "I don't know how to do that!" and not continue.  So please don't take offense if I'm telling you stuff you already know.
To make a new folder just right click on an empty area on your desktop or in 'my documents' and in the pop up box select 'new' and then 'folder'. 
By default the folder will be called just that... 'folder'.  The word will be highlighted so you can just type over the top 'Settlers maps'.

Step 3
Now go to the settlers map channel server, click on 'S4 get map' and select the map you want to download. 
The titles of each have a line underneath them.  By clicking on the name, it will bring up the download file. Ok...click on the name and a box will come up asking if you want to 'save' or 'open' the file. Select 'save' and then a new box will appear called 'save as'.  Browse for the new folder that you have just made and select it by clicking on it and then 'open' and then 'save'.  A new box will come up and you will see the file being saved to the folder.  When it is finished downloading, close the box.

Step 4
Now navigate to the map you have just saved in your 'settlers maps'. Double click on the map and the winzip program will open. A screen will come up asking whether you agree to their terms and Conditions. Select 'I agree'.  Another box...  select 'next'. Another box asking you "do you want to add ''blah blah'' folder to your favorites?"... select 'no'. Another box...  select 'next' Another box...select 'unzip now' Another screen comes up with unzipped version of the map. Leave that screen up for a moment or minimize it but don't do anything with it just yet.

Step5
Go down to your start button on desktop and right click on it.  Select 'explore'.
Another screen will come up on you desktop named 'start menu'.  On the left hand side, you will see a column of everything that is stored on your computer.  You should see a folder called bluebyte with a plus sign to the left of it.
Click on the plus sign and immediately under the bluebyte box you will see another called Settlers IV with a plus sign by it.  Click on the plus sign again and you will see another list of folders.  Look for the one called maps. 
Another plus sign is beside it.  Click on the plus sign again.  Another list of folders...select the one called 'user' and click on it.  On the right hand side of the screen, the user folder is then opened.  Of course there is nothing in it yet but there will be in a moment. Leave the screen open.
Remember the other screen where you unzipped the map to, that I asked you to minimise?  Go to that now and right click on the map icon. 
Select 'copy' from the option box that comes up after you have clicked on it.
Now click on the 'user' screen you just searched for in explore, right click in there and select 'paste' from the options box.  This will paste a copy of the map into the game.
Now close all the open screens and launch the game.
note: If you are installing a multiplayer map to your game, paste it in the 'multiplayer' folder instead of the 'user' one.

Step 6
To play the map, select custom maps and you should find the map you downloaded there. That's it! 
I went the long way around with my explanation because it depends on what OP you are running. This should work with most windows operating systems though! 
Once you get more familiar with it, you will find there are shortcuts to a lot of what I have just explained and you will develop your own technique.

Good Luck!