Chapter 1: File Manipulation

File organization and manipulation is an essential skill for using a computer. We have summarized below some of the basic operations that are used to perform these tasks. Keep in mind that there are many ways to perform these operations, and we have suggested one possible approach that is reasonably consistent among various versions of the Windows operating system. If you know another approach from your previous computer work, use that approach.

1.1 Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer is a computer program that helps you organize and access your data files. With this program you can create folders, copy, move, rename, and delete files and folders, and access software associated with specific files.

We describe now three ways that you can access the Windows Explorer program. Although all three approaches bring up the program, the opening window that you see is different in each approach.

Approach 1. Double Click on the My Documents icon on the desktop of your computer. In this approach, the initial window that appears leads directly to the subfolders in the My Documents folder.
Approach 2. Double Click on the My Computer icon on the desktop. In this approach, the opening window allows direct access to all of the disk drives on your computer, and in order to access the My Documents folder, you may have to follow a folder path starting with the C drive.
Approach 3. >From Start on the task bar, follow the path:

Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> Windows Explorer

In this approach, the opening window allows access to the My Documents folder, the My Computer window, and other networked computers that are accessible through My Networks .

You can close the Windows Explorer window by clicking on the X in the upper right corner of the window.

1.2 Basic File and Folder Operations

Creating a New Folder or Subfolder

Folders are used to organize your documents. Each document you create should be saved in a specific folder. To create a new folder or subfolder:

Select the folder under which the new folder should reside. For example, if you want to place a subfolder within My Documents, go to this folder.
Select File from the menu bar.
Select New, then click on Folder. A blank folder icon will be created in the selected location.
Type the new folder name.
Press the Enter key.

Renaming a File or Folder

To rename a file or folder:

Select the file or folder you wish to rename.
Right-click on the file or folder and select Rename. Backspace or delete the original name and type in the new name.
Press the Enter key.

Copying a File or Folder

Files and folders can be copied from one folder to another folder or even from one disk drive to another drive. To copy a file from one folder to another folder:

Select the file or folder you wish to copy.
Select Edit from the menu bar, and then select Copy.
Select the new folder in which the copied file or folder should reside.
Select Edit from the menu bar, and then select Paste. The file or folder has been copied to the new folder. Keep in mind that the original file or folder remains in its original location, and a new copy exists in the new location.

Moving a File or Folder

Files and folders can be moved from one folder to another folder or even from one disk drive to another drive. To move a file from one folder to another folder:

Select the file or folder you wish to move.
Select Edit from the menu bar, and then select Cut.
Select the new folder in which the moved file or folder should reside.
Select Edit from the menu bar, and then select Paste. The file or folder has been moved to the new folder.

Deleting a File or Folder

To delete a file or folder:

Select the file or folder you wish to delete.
Right-click on the file and select Delete.
A Confirm File (or Folder) Delete box will be displayed. Click on yes .
Note: When you delete a folder, all files and subfolders in the folder are also deleted.

Displaying File Extensions

File extensions provide a way for the Windows operation system to identify the file type. For example,

Microsoft Word uses the file extension .doc.
Microsoft Excel uses the file extension .xls.
NotePad uses the file extension .txt.
HTML documents use either the file extension .html or the file extension .htm.

To display these file extensions follow the steps below:

Select Tools from the menu bar and go to Folder Options.
Select the View tab.
To display the extensions, deselect Hide extensions for known file types .
Click on OK .