Operating System
File Explorer
Defragment
Delete Files
Disk Cleanup/Scan
Storage


File Explorer

File Explore also known as Windows Explorer, in addition to My Computer, can be used to view computer and network drives, folders, and files. One advantage of using File Explorer is that you can view all drives, folders, and files on one screen.

To find File Explorer:

From your desktop screen (which is the background behind all your windows and menus) - Click on Start, move the cursor up to Programs, then find and click on File Explorer or right click on the start button, move cursor up to Explorer.

 

A window like the above example will open.

The left portion of this window will show your entire directory – all computer/network drives and folders. Your computer stores programs and data in devices called drives. A drive contains directories to organize your information. Think of it as a filing cabinet and directories as drawers and folders.

The right portion of the window shows the folders and files that are in the selected (highlighted) drive or folder on the left.

In this example, the C: drive is highlighted on the left. The right side of the screen shows all folders and files on this drive.

Practice highlighting various drives and see what is on each. You will learn a lot about your computer!

There is a + or - sign beside each drive. If you click the + sign, the drive will “open” and you will see listed below the drive letter all folders that are on that drive. If you click thesign, the drive will “close”.

Highlighting any folder that is under an “open” drive will display the contents of that folder on the right portion of the window screen.

In this example, the C: drive is “open” and the folder My Documents is highlighted. The contents of this folder are displayed on the right side of the window screen.

Take time to click on various folders you have and look at the contents of each.

A + sign beside any of the folders means there are other folders inside that folder! You can open and view those as well.

Views may be changed by clicking on the Views Button. The Detail View displays the contents in columns with headings. The items in the columns can be changed in different order simply by clicking on the heading.

You may have to use your scroll bars to get the items you’re working with in view! The scroll bar is the bar at the edge of a window you can use to scroll (move) through a document. Also, you may want to change your "View" from the top menu bar.

Program Menu

The Program Menu is useful because it displays a list of all the applications available on your computer. If you need to delete any programs, click on Start, Control Panel, and then Add & Remove Programs.

The task bar is a bar at the bottom of your desktop Window. It contains names of open applications and documents that you can click on to switch between open applications.

Moving Files and Folders in File Explorer

You can move or copy folders and files from one drive to another or from one folder to another very easily from Windows Explorer.

First, Highlight (left click on) the drive or folder on the left side of the window screen that contains what you want to move or copy.

In this example, the folder Compter Tech 1 under the C: drive is highlighted. The right side of the window is showing all the contents of this folder. It also shows 5 .doc files (right) being moved to the Excel folder (left).
   
Remember:

To move or copy multiple files at a time, you can hold down the Shift key, click the first file in the series to be moved and then click the last file.  To move or copy multiple files that are not in a series (random), hold down the Control (Ctrl) key and click each file you want to move.
 
When your folder or files are selected (highlighted blue), then left or right click, and drag and drop them into the folder on the left side of the screen in which you want them. Drag and drop is used to move objects around your screen.

Make sure the folder you’re moving or copying to is highlighted before you let go of the mouse!!!
 
The more you practice moving/copying files, the easier and faster this will become!
If you are not comfortable with the click, drag, & drop procedure, you can always do a copy/cut & paste.

 

To Move/Copy Folders or Files Using a Copy/Cut & Paste:
 

  • Select the folder or files on the right side of the window you wish to move/copy as noted above.
  • Instead of the click & drag to the new location, go to the top menu bar and click Edit
  • Next click Cut or either Copy - A Cut will move the file/folder completely to the new location. A Copy will copy it at the new location.
  • Then, on the left side of your screen, highlight (click on) the drive or folder you wish to put the items you are moving/copying.
  • Go back to the top menu bar and click Edit, then Paste.



Finding Files and Folders - Where is that file?

From your desktop, go to Start, Search and click Files or Folders. The Search window will open.  (Your desktop is the background behind all your windows, menus, and dialog boxes that represent a desk,)

  • All or part of the file name  box: type all or part of the file name you want to find.
  • A word for phrase in the file box: if you don't remember your file name, type any distinctive words/phrase it contains.
  • Look in box: Select the drive you want to search, usually C.
  • Click Search
  • You can extend your search by the date, size and the more advanced options by clicking on the down arrows for more choices if necessary.
  • Or use an * and the file extension, which is the last characters in a file name, after the period that identifies the program used to create the file, to find special files such as *.wav to find sound files on your computer, *.gif to find graphics, *.jpg to find photos, *.doc to find Word documents, and so on.