1. File Management
File Explorer
© EIT, Author Gay Robertson, 2017

2. What is a drive?
A drive is a storage device that allows a permanent copy of current data and the programs required to manage that data
Hard disk drive C: = HDD
Home drive H: = personal storage area
Network drive S: = shared storage area
DVD or CD Rom drive
Portable disk drive or USB memory stick
Google Drive is Cloud Storage

3. What is a network? A group of two or more computers which are linked
Allows the linked computers to share hardware, data and software
Network drive is a shared directory to which you are connected

4. What is a file? A file is the information or data stored on a PC DVD
pen drive
hard disk drive
digital camera
any device

5. What is a data file? A data file could be a
Document (.docx)
Spreadsheet (.xlsx)
picture or image (.png)
a movie (.wav)
a database (.accdb)
Application software lets you edit, copy, move, delete, add to, the data in a data file

6. What is an executable file?
An .exe file starts a program eg double click on it to make the program Snagit open

7. What is a folder?
Just as you store paper records together in folders, your PC uses folders to store your items of work (called files).
A filing cabinet with drawer dividers is like a drive with folders
files can be kept in an orderly or logical manner
folders can be created from within an application or through File Explorer
easy to find again because …. each folder contains related files eg pictures from Wellington in a folder called Wellington pics or Dog pictures in a folder called Dog pics

8. Creating a new folder
Select the folder (or drive) where you want the new folder or sub-folder to appear
Right click in the empty space in the right pane click New, click Folder
new Folder will appear
type new folder name press Enter to finish off
Folder name should indicate contents

9. Creating a new folder
Select the folder (or drive) where you want the new folder or sub-folder to appear
Right click in the empty space in the right pane click New, click Folder
new Folder will appear
type new folder name press Enter to finish off
Folder name should indicate contents

10. A reminder - why we use folders
Storing groups of files in different folders makes files easier to find as folder names generally indicate the contents
Folders can be created by you using My Computer/Explorer or from within an application
Programs are stored in their own sub folders eg Windows, MS Works
The use of folders allows users to organise their data more efficiently

11. If you need help with ….. If you are fine with these, Key Press Enter
Copying files/folders
Deleting files/folders
Moving files/folders
Renaming files/folders
Click here
Click here
Click here
Click here
If you are fine with these, Key Press Enter

12. Copy a file/folder – leave the original one and put a copy into RAM (or the clipboard)
Highlight file/folder to copy
Hold Ctrl key down, touch C
Or Click on Edit, Copy
Or Right Click, choose Copy from drop down menu

13. Paste the copied file/folder – paste the copy from RAM or the clipboard into another location
Go to new folder or drive to paste into
Hold Ctrl key down, touch V
Or Click on Edit, Paste
Or Right Click, choose Paste from drop down menu

14. Another way …..
Try using RIGHT MOUSE drag and drop – then choose to copy

15. Go back to the Help List or Click to go to help on deleting files / folders
Click here

16. Delete a file/folder Highlight file (or files or folder) to delete
Hold Ctrl key down, touch X
Touch delete key on cursor control keypad
Or Click on Edit, Delete
Or Click on on Toolbar
Or Right Click, choose Delete from drop down menu

17. Go back to the Help List or Click to go to help on moving files / folders
Click here

18. Move a file/folder (take it from one place and put it in another)
Highlight file (or files or folder) to move or shift
Hold Ctrl key down, touch X note how the folder changes colour move to new place, Hold Ctrl key down, touch V
Right Click, choose Cut move to new place, choose Paste from drop down menu

19. Another way …..
Try using RIGHT MOUSE drag and drop – then choose to move

20. Go back to the Help List or Click to go to help on renaming files / folders
Click here

21. Rename a file/folder (change the name, not the contents)
Highlight file/folder to rename
Right Click, choose Rename position cursor to correct name or key new name, press Enter to finish take care!! Only change the part of the name you NEED to!! Overtyping the file extension will change the file type and may make it unusable.

22. I know all that I need to know!!!

23. What is a file management system?
Our file management system is File Explorer
Managing your files into appropriate folders avoids the chaos when files are all saved into one location think of all the times you can’t find that special file because you have put it somewhere crazy!!
Go to for more great information

24. Working in the file management system (Windows 10)
Click on (File Explorer)
this will appear

25. To see File Explorer better, click on
To put File Explorer on the task bar or minimise
To get File Explorer back as the Active Window, on the task bar,click on folder name

26. to collapse a folder or directory
click on the
or click on the
To expand a folder or directory
Or click on the
To go up one level
Click on the

27. Changing the view of your file management system
You may need to change how the files are displayed
Click on View
choose from list of options

28. List view shows file/folder names only
Details view shows details of file/folder eg filename, date of modification, application attached or file type, size of file

29. Clicking in the file management system
Click once to select a file or folder (can be called highlight, or “go to”)
Double click to open a file or folder

30. Icons used in the file management system
Represents a folder/directory
Represents a file associated with an application. When you open this file, the application associated with it starts
This icon represents a graphic file

31. A reminder - why we use folders
Storing related files in folders makes files easier to find as folder names generally indicate the contents eg inside your LETTERS folder you would store all your letters to people
Programs are stored in their own sub folders eg
The use of folders allows users to organise their data files more efficiently

32. Some hints when navigating in File Explorer
Stay in the left window pane for navigating to drives and folders or for making drives and folders active “blue”
Use the right window pane for accessing files

33. Esc or Cancel generally will cancel a command or instruction
Enter or OK generally will accept a command or instruction
Remember to highlight (blue/black out) any file or folder you want to take some action on

34. Some interesting sites to enlarge on your learning
Lynda.com tutorial in YouTube explaining how files, folders and directories work. Duration 4m 46s
This is a tutorial covering finding files with Search and Libraries with a short 3m 19s video
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