Help@lacc-smp.org

HOW DO I Use Windows Explorer to Manage Files?

1. Go to Start, Programs or All Programs, Accessories, Windows Explorer.  We recommend you copy a shortcut to Windows Explorer to your desktop.
2. Windows Explorer is divided into two window areas.  The narrow area on the left is the directory structure.  You should become familiar with how the hard disk is organized and what the various headings mean:
   • Desktop
   • My Documents
   • My Computer
     • 3-1/2 Floppy (A)
     • Local Disk (C)
     • CD (D)
   • My Network Places
3. Navigating the directory structure is like climbing up a tree.  Click on the "+" or "-" signs to view or hide the sub-directories.
4. Click on a directory to view its file contents in the larger window on the right side of the screen.
5. You can change the view of the contents of the directory by clicking on the "Views" button.
6. Selecting files:
   • You can select a file by clicking one time on its name. 
   • You can select a collection of files by holding down the ctrl key and selecting each file with a left mouse click.
   • You can select a range of files by selecting the first file and, while holding down the shift key, selecting the last file in the range.
7. File actions
   • Double click a file to open it.
   • Right click (click with the right mouse button) a file to see of available options.  One such option is WinZip.  See HOW DO I Use WinZip? for more information.
8. To create a new directory, click on the parent directory (the directory that will be over the new directory).  In the larger window to the right, right click in an open area.  Select new from menu.  Select folder.