Windows Explorer

Using
Windows Explorer
FIGURE WIN2.1 Windows Explorer
Title Bar
Menu Bar
Computers store files in a manner similar to a traditional paper-based filing system. A traditional
filing system has file cabinets, drawers, files, and folders. Windows has multiple drives, folders on
those drives, and files within the folders. In each system, a document (or file) is the smallest unit of
data. Using Windows’ file management tools, you can control and organize your data files in a
way that is meaningful to you. Operating system and program files, however, should not be
moved or removed by a typical user. With Windows Explorer, you can create folders, move folders,
and rename folders. You also can move, copy, rename, and delete files. When you open Explorer,
your files are displayed in the right pane with these column headings: Name, Size, Type, and
Modified. Folders are always displayed first, in alphabetical order, and files are displayed in
alphabetical order after the folders. By clicking on a column heading, you can sort the column in
the opposite order.
Standard Toolbar
Links Toolbar
Address Bar
Folders Pane
Contents Pane
Status Bar
TABLE WIN2.1 Windows Explorer Components
(Note: Before completing the steps in this topic and the remaining topics in
this section, the Windows Data Files folder and its contents must be
available on your computer’s hard drive. This folder can be downloaded
from the EMC/Paradigm Web site, or you may get it from your instructor.)
1
2
Component
Function
Title bar
Displays the application name and/or the open file name
Menu bar
Provides access to various commands
Click the Start button on the
Taskbar and then point to
Programs.
Standard toolbar
Allows quick access to features
Links toolbar
Offers quick access to various sites on the Internet
Folders pane
Lists the folders and drives to which you have access
When you point to Programs,
a side menu displays.
Contents pane
Displays the contents of the folder or drive selected in the Folders pane
Status bar
Provides information about the items displayed in the Folders pane and the Contents pane.
This information changes depending on what you have selected.
At the side menu,
click Windows
Explorer.
Step
1
3
?
b
em
Click the down-pointing triangle at the right side of
the Views button on the Windows Explorer Standard
toolbar and then click Details at the drop-list list.
Step
3
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em
Pro
l
b
Pro
l
Figure WIN2.1 shows the Windows
Explorer window. See Table WIN2.1
for a list of the components and
their functions.
Step
2
If your Windows Explorer window does not display toolbars,
click View and then Toolbars on the Menu bar. Click the
toolbar you wish to display (you will see a check mark next
to the toolbar name).
If the Views button is not visible, increase the width of the
Windows Explorer window until it displays on the toolbar.
If your View is already set to Details, you can skip step 3.
4
Step
4
Click the column heading Name to sort the files
in descending order.
By default, folder and file names are displayed in
ascending order. Clicking the Name column heading
changes the order from ascending to descending. Descending order is Z to A for
text names and higher numbers to lower numbers for number names written as
integers. An integer is a whole number.
18
Managing Files and Customizing Windows
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Managing Files and Customizing Windows
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(continued)
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