By Len Nasman Copyright 2008 (may be copied with permission)
Understanding Windows Explorer is key to taking control of your computer. If you have ever created a file and later had a hard time finding it, or if you have downloaded picture files and want to organize them into a manageable system, Windows Explorer will help.
Just as Microsoft Internet Explorer provides a method of accessing the Internet in an organized fashion, Windows Explorer provides a method of examining and organizing your files. This tutorial is designed to provide the basic information needed to take control of your computer files through the use of Windows Explorer.
Inside
a hard drive
Computer
files are stored on disk drives. Disk drives take the form of floppy
drives, CD and DVD drives, flash
drives, and hard drives. The main storage
location for computer files is the hard drive.
It might help understand how computer files are organized by thinking of using an electronic file cabinet. The different disk drives in the computer are kind of like different drawers in a file cabinet. Each drawer can contain file folders where documents (or files) are stored. Also, it is possible to place several folders inside of a larger folder in a file cabinet drawer.
In the electronic computer file cabinet, the same thing is true. Each disk drive can be organized into folders, and a folder can contain one or more files. It is also possible to have a folder inside another folder that is inside another folder and so on. There is a tool that can be used to visualize how these electronic files are organized. This tool is the Windows Explorer.
Each computer file has a particular format, or method of organizing the bits of data that make the file. When an application program (like a word processor or a graphics program) saves a file, it organizes the data in a manner specific to that program. Data is organized differently in text documents than it is in picture or graphics files. To tell one kind of file format from another, a three letter extender is added to the end of the file name.
NOTE: In this document, select means to position the mouse pointer on an object and then click the left mouse button once.
A good way to see how files are arranged in your computer is to use the Windows Explorer. You can open the explorer window any of several ways.
From the Task Bar, select Start, Programs, Accessories, Windows Explorer.
Another way to open Windows Explorer is to double click on the My Computer icon on the Desktop.
Some folks like to keep a shortcut to Windows Explorer on their desktop, but my favorite is a secret key trick.
Make a note of this secret. Hold the left Windows key down (the one between the left side Ctrl and Alt keys on most newer keyboards) and while holding it down, press the letter E key. This will pop open the Explorer window.
No matter how you open it, the Explorer Window will show all of the drives installed on your computer. In the example below, you can see that the computer has a floppy drive, 3 hard drives and 2 CD drives installed.
This is a good time to review how devices, files and file folders are displayed in the Windows Explorer. Each of these can be shown either by an icon, or by an entry in a list. Files have a small picture (or icon) that shows the program that is associated with the file. Folders have an icon that looks like a folder.
The two examples below show the same contents. The upper one shows a detail list while the lower one shows only icons.
I much prefer the detail list since it provides more information about the folders and files.
To switch between icons and details in the Explorer window, select View from the MENU BAR and pick the style you prefer.
The Explorer Window has a section on the left side with the heading Folders. The section on the right side of the window shows the contents of the folder selected on the left.
You should notice that if there is a + sign beside a folder it means that there is another folder inside of that folder. Just select the plus sign and you will see what is in the folder (it might be more folders).
Some beginners develop the habit of putting all of their folders and files on the Desktop. This makes it easy to locate things… until you have more than 5 or 6 or so. Before long, the Desktop will become so cluttered that you can’t find anything. (I have tables and desks that are covered with stacks of papers and stuff just like that.)
The secret is to organize folders and files so that you don’t go blind or crazy trying to locate a file you need.
You can create and name a new folder and place it anywhere you would like within the electronic computer filing system. Here is how to create a new folder.
First, open the Windows Explorer.
Next, select (highlight) the location for the new folder. For example, if you want the new folder to be located in the main directory of the hard drive, select drive C from the list.
Use the Windows Explorer to highlight a folder where you want to put stuff. Then select File, New, Folder, and give your new folder a logical name. Then you can use the new folder to store your files in a predictable place.
As soon as the new folder appears on the list, edit the new folder name to reflect the contents you plan to add to the folder. For example, My Vacation 2007 might be a good name for picture files.
When you create a new file with your word processor, or spreadsheet, or whatever, use File, Save As and adjust the path to point to your folder before you save the file.
Taking control of your files and folders using Windows Explorer will give you a great feeling of power and control over that stupid computer.
The key to getting control of your computer is understanding computer files and how to manage them.
This version created
