To learn how to use the Windows's Explore open and print out the following .pdf. You use Explore for locating files, moving files, creating directories/folders, renaming files/folders and burning a data CD without special software.

How To Explore your computer


To open Windows Explorer: Right click on Start and choose Explore

In Windows, you can locate and manage your files and directories (folders) in Explorer. Explorer is your best choice whenyou want to view or reorganize files in different parts of your computer.

In Explorer, you have a dual pane view. You view your drive and root folders in the left pane, and the contents of chosen folders in the right pane.

The drive (or directory on a drive) that is open in Explorer is indicated at top left on the title bar, and above the right panel. When you select a folder, its name will appear in the drive box, its name will be highlighted, and its folder icon will appear open.

On the left side of your Explorer window are the folders in your chosen drive. The Explorer view begins with Desktop, followed by My Computer, and then lists all your drives, followed by other folders or programs contained within the Desktop and My Computer.

Your directory structure is indicated by the indentation levels in Explorer's left pane. On the right side are the files and folders that are contained within the folder you select at left. Your selected folder appears to be open, with its contents spilling out into the right panel.

A minus sign on a folder means that it is fully expanded. A plus sign on a folder means that more files are contained inside it than are visible.

Copying Files
Select the file (files) you wish to copy.
From the top Menu bar, choose EDIT then COPY

Pasting Files (after copying them)
Navigate to the directory folder where you wish to place your file(files).

MAKE SURE TO CLICK ONCE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SCREEN TO
PUT THE CURSOR INTO THE FOLDER WHERE YOU WANT TO PASTE.
From the top Menu bar, choose EDIT then PASTE.

THIS METHOD CAN BE USED TO COPY/PASTE :

  • FROM ONE DIRECTORY OR FOLDER TO ANOTHER
  • FROM A CD TO A HARD DRIVE FOLDER
  • FROM A DIGITAL CAMERA'S MEMORY CARD TO A HARD DRIVE FOLDER*
  • FROM THE HARD DRIVE TO BURN A CD**

* Insert the camera's memory card into a slot on your computer. If your computer doesn't have a slot, you can get an external memory card reader for under $20 and connect it via a USB connection.

** You can only burn a CD if your computer has a CD burner. After moving the files, you have to "write to disk". If you have trouble, make sure, in CD properties, that you have enabled the drag and drop feature.

On the computer there are many ways of doing the same thing. Below are different ways of copying files.

RIGHT CLICKING
1. Right click the file (or one of the selected files) you wish to copy. Choose copy.
2. Navigate to the directory where you wish to move your file (files) and select it.
3. Right click that directory, and choose paste.

 

TOOLBAR
(Make sure your toolbar is visible. Check toolbar on the view menu)
1. With the file you are copying selected, click the copy icon on the toolbar.
2. Navigate to the directory folder where you wish to place your file (files).
Select it.
3. Click the paste icon

 

MENU BAR
1. With the file you are copying selected, choose edit, copy on the menu bar.
2. Navigate to the directory folder where you wish to place your file(files).
Select it.
3. Choose edit, paste.

 

KEYBOARD
1. With the file you are copying selected, press and hold control c (hold
down control while you press the letter c).
2. Navigate to the directory where you wish to place your file (files). Select it.
3. Press control v (hold down control while your press v).

 

DRAGGING
NOTE: You need both directories visible to use this option.

Click and hold on the file you wish to copy and:
a) if copying it to the same drive, hold down the letter c on your keyboard
while you drag it. (Remember: c for copy!)
b) if copying to a different drive, just drag it.
(Windows automatically copies rather than moves to different drives.)

Drop it precisely on the folder to which it will go. A small box will be visible
around the selected folder, so that you can drop it within that folder. If you
miss, check the folders above and below your selected folder to see if
the file landed there. Otherwise, you may have to search to locate it.