Windows Explorer allows users to organize and manage files and folders on a computer. It displays files in a hierarchical structure with drives at the top containing folders, which then contain files. Drives are the largest storage areas, usually the hard drive or other external drives, while folders are used to organize files. Files contain data like documents, pictures, audio and video. Windows Explorer provides different views to display files as icons, lists, or details and allows sorting files by name or other properties. It is used to navigate folders, view file contents and properties, and perform actions like copying, moving and deleting files.

1. Week 1: Computer
Basics
Lesson 9: Getting to Know Microsoft
Windows

2. Inthefollowinglessons,wewilllearnhowto
managefilesandfolders,findfiles,andview
detailsaboutthem.
With the wide variety of files that can be stores on a computer,
it is important to know where to find the one you need.
Therefore, you need a way to organize your files. Windows
Explorer allows you to groups files and folders much the same
way that you would organize real files and folders in a filing
cabinet.

3. Get to know Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer is a type of program that is called a file
manager. It allows you to organize, move, delete, and copy
files on your computer or on your network. Windows Explorer
organizes folders and files always using the same structure.
The file structure from the top down starts with the largest
storage area, the drive, and ends with the smallest unit of
storage, the file. (Other file managers work in a similar way).

4. Get to know Windows Explorer
 A drive is the largest storage area. The C; drive is usually
the hard drive, but you can have other drives on your
school network, or on a separate device, like your CD drive
or Flash drive.
 A folder is a place to save a organize files, such as
documents or pictures.
 A file is a collection of data. Files can be text, graphics, or
other types of media such as audio or video clips.

5. Get to know Windows Explorer

6. Let’sstartbypracticingorganizingfiles.Wewill
alsodisplaythefile’ssize,type,anddate
modified.
• Step 1: Click the start menu at the bottom left on the
screen. Choose programs, choose accessories, and click
Windows Explorer.
There is also an icon on the toolbar in
Windows 7 that will take you directly to
Windows Explorer.

7. Step2:Onyourownscreen,identify theitemsshownbelow.
Yourscreenmaylookdifferent depending onhowyouhaveyour
computerorganized.Note:theExpandbutton(+,orablack
arrow)becomesaCollapsebutton(-,orawhitearrow)when
clicked.

8. Step 3:NexttotheDocumentsfolder,clicktheExpand
button(+, orblackarrow).Whatarethecontentsof
you’remyDocumentsfolder?

9. Step 4: Youcanchangethewaythefilesandfolders
aredisplayed.ClicktheViewmenu,thenchoose
Icons.Theiconsshouldnowlooksimilarto those
below.

10. Step 5: Click the View menu and
choose List to see another view.

11. Step6: To see more informationabout a folder or
file, clickthe Viewmenu, then chooseDetails.

12. Step 7: Click the View menu, then
choose Arrange icons by.

13. Step 8:ClicktheNameoption.Thescreenshot
belowshowsthefilesinallthefoldersarrangedin
alphabeticalorderby name.

14. Step 9: To see contents of a folder,
click on it.
Step 10: Click the Collapse button (-) next to Documents to
collapse the folder.