MS Windows Explorer

Lab 2: Windows Explorer

As for today's lab, we learned about Windows Explorer. In Mac, we called this as Finder.

Anyway, 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 of this application:

To view:

• The contents of the disk drives
• The hierarchy of folders on the computer
• The files or folders in each folder

To organize the files or folders by copying, moving and deleting them

To create a folder, rename a file or folder and open a file by using Explorer.

Alright, let's find out how do we start this application.

This application software could be accessed by:

• Click Start>My Computer> Explore
• Click Start>Run (and then type 'explorer')
• Double-click the My Computer icon
• Launch from the Start Menu (Start>All Programs>Accessories>Windows Explorer)
• A shortcut key (Windows key + E)

Hierarchy or Tree:

Minus Sign indicates that all of its subfolders are displayed in the hierarchy.

Plus Sign indicates the folder consists of one or more subfolders that are not visible in the tree. By clicking the plus sign will expand the folder.

Creating a New Folder:

Some of the ways to create a folder:

• On an Explorer window, on the menu bar, choose File, then New, and select folder.
• Point to any blank area in the Contents area, right click, select New, and choose folder.

Viewing Icons in the Contents Area:

We can view the icons in many different ways to suit our need.

• Thumbnails - the miniature version of picture files
• Tiles - the basic information of every item
• Icons - Contents preceded by larger icons
• List - Easily see many of the contents of a folder
• Details - Detailed information about the item

Selecting Multiple Names of Files or Folders: Contiguous and Non-Contiguous

Contiguous:

1. Click the first name
2. Hold down the Shift key and click the last name
3. All items will be highlighted

Non-contiguous:

1. Click the first name.
2. Hold down the Ctrl key, click each of the names we want to select.

Copying a File and or Folder

When copying a file, we must know several details/information:

1. Where is the source drive and/or source folder (from where)?
2. What is the filename?
3. Where is the destination (to where)?

We can copy from one location to the same location, but the new file will be given a new name. A file can also be copied from one location to another location (different drive or different folder of the same drive), and the new file will have the same name as the source file.

5 ways to copy a file from the source folder to the destination folder:

1. Dragging the selected filename from the right area to left panel. While dragging, the icon and its name are dimmed. At the left side, drag the filename with the pointer beside the destination folder so that it is highlighted. Release 'the left mouse button. Note: When dragging a file from one drive to another folder in the same drive, Explorer automatically assumes that you will be moving the file. You have to hold down the Ctrl key to change the pointer shape to indicate copying.
2. Using the Edit menu: select the file (from where and which file); choose Edit then Copy; select the destination location; choose Edit then Paste.
3. Using the Copy and Paste buttons on the toolbar; similar to the Edit menu.
4. Using the shortcut menu (by right-clicking at the filename) Copy and Paste.
5. Right drag the filename from the right area to the destination folder (in the left panel); release mouse button; and choose Copy from the shortcut menu.

Moving a File and or Folder

Similar to copying a file, we need to know the source location (drive and/or folder), source file, and the destination location. We can move from one location to a different drive or different folder of a drive; the new file will have the same name as the source file.

5 ways to move a file from the source folder to the destination folder.

1. Dragging the selected filename from the right area to the destination folder in the left panel; then release the left mouse button. Note: When dragging a file from one drive to another folder in another drive, Explorer automatically assumes that you will be copying the file. You have to hold down the Shift key to change the pointer shape to indicate moving.
2. Using the Edit menu: select the file (from where and which file); choose Edit then Cut; select the destination location; choose Edit then Paste
3. Using the Cut and Paste buttons on the toolbar; similar to the Edit menu.
4. Using the shortcut menu.
5. Right drag as in copying a file, but choose Move in the shortcut menu.

Deleting a File/Folder

When we delete a file or folder from the hard disk, e.g. drive C, the computer will throw it away into the Recycle Bin. The item may be restored (put back at its original location). However, if we delete an item from a removable disk like the USB drive, the item will be permanently deleted (It is not put into the Recycle Bin and cannot be restored). Deleting a folder will delete all of its contents.

Five ways to delete a file/folder are listed below:

1. Dragging the selected file to the Recycle Bin (on the desktop or in the Folders pane of the Explorer window.
2. Choose File menu then Delete command.
3. Using the Delete button on the toolbar.
4. Using the shortcut menu, Delete.
5. Right-drag instead of dragging.

Renaming a File or Folder

We can change the name of a file or folder whenever we see a text box appear at its name.

4 ways to rename:

1. Click twice at the name.
2. Go the menu, choose File and select Rename.
3. Use shortcut menu, choose Rename.
4. Click at the name, press F2.

If the name is highlighted in the text box, typing a new character will automatically delete the name in the box (to replace with a new name). To edit the name, press an arrow key to move cursor or insertion point to the location to type, and then type the new character. Press Enter key when done renaming.

A file has a filename. Windows and Windows-based programs allow us 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 the _ (underscore) Spaces are allowed in names, but the following characters are NOT allowed: \ / : *?"<>I

Phew! That's all for today's class.. Not a lot to digest but a lot to post in here...

Anyway, I'll see you guys on next class!