LMES Technology

							                                              Windows Explorer

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

                                                                  To find Windows Explorer:
                                                                  From your desktop screen -
                                                                  Click on Start, move the cursor up to
                                                                  Programs, then find and click on Windows
                                                                  Explorer.
                                                                  A window like the left example will open.

                                                                  The left portion of this window will show
                                                                  your entire directory tree – all
                                                                  computer/network drives 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 lots 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 the – sign, 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. It can really get interesting!

                                                                                            B. Burkett November 2001
                      Moving Files and Folders in Windows 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.

                                                                   You may have to use your scroll bars to get the
                                                                   items you’re working with in view!
                                                                   Also, you may want to change your "View" from
                                                                   the top menu bar. It is best to choose to view
                                                                   items as a list, not large icons or a web page.

                                                                   In this example, the folder My Documents under
                                                                   the C: drive is highlighted.

                                                                   The right side of the window is showing all the
                                                                   contents of this folder.



Next, select or highlight (click on) the files or
folders on the right side of the screen you wish to
move/copy.
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, 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, drag, and drop the
group of files into the folder on the left side of the
screen in which you want them.

A right click & drag will give you a choice to move
or copy. A left click & drag will move.

Make sure the folder you’re moving or copying to
is highlighted before you let go of the mouse!!!

Again, you may have to use the scroll bars to get the items you are working with in view.
This example shows 4 .gif files (right) being moved to the Graphics folder (left).
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.
                                                                                                B. Burkett November 2001
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.

(Of course, you can always use the “shortcut” Cut/Copy/Paste icons on the top toolbar instead of going to Edit.)




Finding Files and Folders

                                  Where is that
                                  file?
                                  From your desktop
                                  screen, go to Start,                                                             Find,
                                  and click Files or
                                  Folders.
                                  The Find window will                                                             open.




                                    Named box: type all or part of the file name you want to find
       Containing text 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 Find Now.
       Scroll through the bottom window box that appears to locate your file.
       You can extend your search by using the Date or Advanced tabs in the Find window if necessary.

       Or use an * and the file extension 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.




                                                                                                  B. Burkett November 2001