Managing files

The left panel in Windows Explorer shows every device on your computer and every folder in the hard drive, usually C:.

When you click on a folder, the right panel of the screen changes to show you the contents of that folder.

To make a new folder, click the mouse so you are on the folder one level above where you want it to be. Click File / New / Folder. On the left panel, there will be a new item at the bottom of the list marked ‘new folder’ - it is waiting for you to type in a new name such as Marketing. Drag the folder to another level if you don’t want it where it shows up.

Simple tricks

1. You can move files from one place to another by dragging them.

Try this:

With a floppy in the A: drive, click a file in My Documents and drag it to 3-1/2 floppy A:

That would put a copy of the file on the floppy.

Do the same thing to copy files to the Zip disk. Insert the Zip disk and drag desired files to what your computer calls the B: drive.

Remember that when you drag or move a file from one folder to another within the C: drive, the computer presumes you want to literally move the file. If it is from the C: drive to any other drive letter, such as A: or B: it presumes you want to take a copy, leaving the original in place.

2. Rename any file just by right-clicking on it and choose “Rename.”

3. Delete a file by highlighting it and pressing Delete. (Be sure you only delete files you have created – don’t delete any system files.)

4. To find a file if you don’t know where it is, click File / Tools / Find Files or Folders.

Type in the file name or, under Advanced, even a bit of text from the file. If it is on your computer, it will be found. In Windows XP, click Search instead.

5. To copy a file or folder to a CD, right-click and choose Send To / CD drive E.