Windows XP: Continue Files and Folders

Files & Directories n We store programs and data on secondary storage devices using a file system. n These are stored in structures called files (documents) and directories (folders) n Think of it as a filing cabinet...

Secondary Storage

File Systems n Win XP uses 2 basic file systems –File Allocation Table (FAT) –NT File System (NTFS) n master record of all data stored in filing cabinet n stores the name of the file/directory and its location on the drive

Directories n Files are stored in directories or folders n represented with a manilla folder icon n A root directory is a special direcory equivalent to a drawer in the cabinet. –Ex: A:\ is the root directory on the A: drive n Folders may be stored inside folders, these are subdirectories.

Files n Files are equivalent to the individual documents in a folder. n 2 basic types –Progam files - applications and their parts –Data files - special files containing user data n Both files and folders in Win XP can have names with up to 255 characters, including spaces.

Document Types n Documents are shown as a piece of paper with an icon representing the type of information in it. n If the application is known the document is called an associated document. –Double-clicking an ass. Doc. Starts the appropriate application. –If unknown, its the windows icon, must use open with...

Navigating the File System n 2 ways to navigate the file system in NT –icon view –tree view n Icon view –as in My Computer window –files and folders depicted as separate icons –separate windows open for each folder selected –Can see the details of the document using detail view

Navigating the File System n Tree view –As in Explorer window –files and folders represented in a hierarchical tree diagram –still makes use of icons –gives more information –shows relationship between the drives, folders and files.

Selecting Documents & Folders n You can use the mouse to select single or multiple documents and folders. n Single object - point and click n Multiple objects –Adjacent objects n hold Shift while selecting the endpoints n or drag –Non-adjacent objects n hold CTRL while selecting objects

Working with Files & Folders n Once you have selected there are 4 ways to carry out tasks in Explorer –select menu item or toolbar button –right-click and select from menu –drag –press a key or key-sequence

Common Tasks n Copy - copy object to another location n Move - move object to another location n Delete - delete object(s) n Rename - rename the object n Print - print if possible n Open - display object(s) in appropriate application window

Notes on Common Tasks n When using the drag option, keep in mind that –objects dragged to a new location on the same disk will be moved –objects dragged to a new location on a different disk will be copied n can use modifier keys to ensure the correct operation –CTRL for copy; SHIFT for move

Right-click Context Menus n Some handy operations in the context menus –within a folder can create a New folder –Scan for Viruses… (Norton) –Send to  –Print - can print ass. docs. directly –Create Shortcut

Formatting a Data Disk n Format initializes a disk so it conforms to the format use by your computer n In Explorer, right-click on the A: drive n Select the Format.. command. n 2 options –Quick Format - for previously formatted –Full Format - for unformatted

The Print Manager n Start/Settings/Printers… n clicking on the icon for a particular printer will open the print queue for that printer. n Can manage your print jobs from here –ex: Cancel

Search n Find a file n Find a folder n Using name or partial name n Advance search (time, size, etc.)

Print Screen n Print the whole screen n Print a window

Desktop Properties n Right-click on an empty spot on the desktop and select Properties… –can control the appearance of your desktop here –Change resolution –Change screen saver n can edit start menu n Use Help

Compress Files n Compress: take a file on your hard drive and make it's size becomes smaller and therefore takes up less storage space and is faster to upload or download on a network or the Internet n A compressor is a program that actually compresses another file. Examples: gzip, WinRar, and winzip n Some format of files can be compressed more than some other types. Word document,.exe files can be compressed more. Bitmap, gif, jpeg, mps files can hardly compressed.

Archive n An archival program takes many separate files and archives them into one file. For example, an archival program would allow you to take a directory of files and archive them into one file that you can then send as an with a single attachment for all those individual files. n An archive is a single file that contains many separate files. These individual files can be extracted from the main archive n Archival programs are used often to back up data. You would use archives to backup a folder or a number of files into a single file and compress them as well. This allows you to save space and then store that individual file on a floppy or other removable media.

Types of archives and file compressors n Program*File ExtensionTypeOperating System** WinZip.zipArchive/CompressDOS/Windows WinRar.rarArchive/CompressDOS/Windows Arj.arjArchive/CompressDOS/Windows Gzip.gzCompressUnix/Linux Compress.ZCompressUnix/Linux TAR.tarArchiveUnix/Linux Stuffit Expander.hqxArchive/CompressApple