Overview:
Chapter 2
Windows Explorer is an application that is part of modern versions of the Microsoft Window OS that provides a GUI for accessing the file systems. It is the component of the OS that presents the user interface on the monitor and enables the user to control the computer. It is sometimes referred to as the Windows GUI shell, or simply "Explorer".
Purposes:
to view:
the contents of the disk drives the hierarchy of folders on the computer the files/folders in each folder
Starting Windows Explorer
It could be accessed by:
Click Start>My Computer>Explore Click Start>Run (type explorer) Double-click the My Computer icon Launched from the Start Menu
(Start>All Programs>Accessories>Windows Explorer)
to organize the files/folders by copying, moving and deleting them to create a folder, rename a file/folder and open a file by using Explorer
File -a collection of data/information that is treated as a unit Folder -a collection of files and other folders (subfolders)
A shortcut key (Windows key + E)
The Windows Explorer window
The window area is divided into two main areas separated by a vertical bar The left side, identified by the folders title, contains a hierarchy of folders on the computer The right side shows the contents of the current folder
Hierarchy/Tree
Indicates that all of its subfolders are displayed in the hierarchy Clicking the minus sign will collapse the folder
Indicates the folder consists of one or more subfolders that are no visible in the tree Clicking the plus sign will expand the folder
The Folders area shows a graphic representation of the organization of the major parts of your computer.
Subfolders are folders listed below its main folder name in an indented manner. Files can be stored in a drive, a folder or a subfolder
Creating a New Folder
Some of the ways to create a folder:
File/New/Folder. Point to any blank area in the Contents area, right-click, select New, and choose Folder
Viewing Icons in the Contents Area
You can view the icons in many different ways to suit your need
The miniature version of picture files Basic information of every item Contents preceded by larger icons Easily see many of the contents of a folder Detailed information about the item
Selecting Multiple Names (Files/Folders)
Contiguous:
Click the first name Hold down the Shift key and click the last name All items will be highlighted
Copying, Deleting, and Renaming Files and Folders
COPY - clicking on this option will copy the file or folder into (the clipboard) memory, you can then navigate to the folder where you want to copy the file to, right click (as if making a new folder) in the right hand pane and select paste from the menu that appears. DELETE - this option will delete the file or folder (send it to the recycle bin), Windows XP will prompt you for confirmation first. RENAME - this option allows you to rename the file or folder, simply type in the new name and press the enter (return) key
Noncontiguous:
Click the first name Hold down the Ctrl key, click each of the names you want to select
Moving a File/Folder
You need to know the source location (drive and/or folder), source file, and the destination location. 5 ways to move a file:
1.
Renaming a File/Folder
There are four ways to rename:
1. 2. 3. 4.
2. 3. 4. 5.
Dragging the selected filename by using the left mouse button From Edit menu, click Cut, then click Paste Using Cut and Paste button on the toolbar Shortcut menu (Ctrl + X, Ctrl + V) Right drag, choose Move
Click twice at the name. File/Rename. Use shortcut menu, choose Rename. Click at the name, press F2.
Windows and Windows-based programs allow you to use long folder and filenames (up to 255 characters). The possible characters in a filename are: letters (A to Z), digits (0 to 9) and special characters (usually underscore) Spaces are allowed in names, but the following characters are NOT allowed: \ / : * ? " < > |
