File Management

Basics for Managing Your Files

Basics

What exactly is file management?

File management is the process of placing, naming, and organizing files and folders in a seemingly logical manner. File management on the computer is similar to how someone would arrange documents and important papers in a filing cabinet. Related papers and documents are placed into an appropriately named folder and that folder is then placed into the appropriate level or section of the file cabinet. Similarly, on the computer, file management would consist of sorting and arranging a group of files into specific folders so that similar or related files are located together.

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Why do I need to manage my files?

An unorganized computer is very similar to any unorganized room or a messy desk, with stuff placed haphazardly around in no logical location. It creates a problem if you need to find something in a hurry and have no clue where to find the document. And if you dont have a clue on how to start organizing what you have, whether that be files on your computer or a pile of recipes and receipts, this class will help you.

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How do I manage my files?

Use Windows Explorer to rearrange and organize your files by:  Creating folders and subfolders  Moving files to specific folders  Renaming files logically for easy retrieval  Save new files in a specifically designated folder as you create them

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What is Windows Explorer?

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Desktop

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How to Open Windows Explorer

Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop. OR Right-click on the Start button. Select Explore from the menu.

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What is file hierarchy?

When organizing the contents of ones computer, it is essential to understand how files and folders are connected. A well organized computer will consist of many folders and subfolder which are located in a logical sequence. The order, or rank, in which folders and file are linked is often referred to as file hierarchy and the route to a file is known as its path.

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What is a file?
A file is a piece of information which is stored on a computer. A file can be something as basic as a Microsoft Word Document to something as intricate as a video. Files are often accessed from within another program and are defined by a specific file extension. More about file extensions later.

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File Name
A file name is made up of two parts: (1) the name of the document and (2) the file extension. You may name a file anything you wish, but you should probably name a file something you are likely to remember later. Use only letters and numbers in your file names -- Special characters like "-", "/", "&", must be avoided in the file name.

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File Name
The second part of a file name is the extension. In the file text.doc, the word text is the file name and the .doc is the extension. A period always separates the two. The extension identifies what kind of a document you have.

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File Extensions
Some examples of file extensions are:  .txt : plain text  .doc : Microsoft Word Document  .htm or .html : Web document  .gif , .jpg , .bmp : image  .ppt : PowerPoint Presentation  .exe : Executable

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No file extensions showing

Microsoft, in its infinite wisdom, does not show the file extensions. It is highly recommended that you turn file extensions ON before you begin moving files. By seeing the file extension, you can usually tell the type of file by looking at the entire file name with extension. How do you turn file extensions on? See the next slide.

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Turn On File Extensions

Open Windows Explorer From the main menu bar, click on Tools > Folder Options Click on the View tab Scroll down until your see the option Hide extensions for known file types Make sure this option is UNCHECKED!

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Make sure Hide extensions for known file types is UNCHECKED!

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What is a folder?
A folder is basically a box or container in which files are held. Folders are used to group together related files Folders are somewhat like drawers in a file cabinet. On a computer, a folder is used to contain all like files together, such as music in one folder, documents in another, and so on. Thus, organizing files in this manner, files can readily be found without sifting through a plethora of files to find the one you want.

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What is a subfolder?
Subfolders are simply folders which are placed within another folder. In theory, subfolders are similar to folders within folders in a filing cabinet. The cabinet is the main folder which holds all the folders, or files, but each folder is a subfolder and is responsible for storing specific types of files. You can create subfolders within subfolders.

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EXERCISE
Right-click on the desktop area, and select NEW, then FOLDER Type in your first name Hit Enter

File Management
Viewing Files and Folders

File Icons
Your computer represents files with icons. By looking at a file's icon, you can tell at a glance what kind of file it is. Here are some common file icons:

You can tell what kind of file an icon represents by its appearance

Viewing Files and Folders

Viewing Files and Folders

There are several ways to arrange and identify files when viewing them in folders. There are pros and cons each one, and in most cases, the display mode is strictly personal preference.

Viewing Files and Folders

How do I do it?
One way: In Windows Explorer, right-click in an area of empty space.  On the popup menu, click on Arrange Icons By and allow the sub menu to appear.  Choose the mode in which you want the files and folders to be displayed.  The mode that is currently selected will be represented with a black dot beside it. Another Way: See next slide.

Viewing Files and Folders

View Display Options

Of the various view modes, all display the file/folder name and are represented with a icon, which corresponds to the type of file. In Windows Explorer, click on the down arrow as shown below:

Viewing Files and Folders

File Display Options

When a folder is open, you can access each of the following view options on the View menu.  Thumbnails  Tiles  Filmstrip  Icons  List  Details

Viewing Files and Folders

Thumbnails View
Displays the images a folder contains on a folder icon so you can quickly identify the contents of the folder. For example, if you store pictures in several different folders, in Thumbnails view, you can tell at a glance which folder contains the pictures you want. Windows displays up to four images on a folder background, by default. Or, you can choose one picture to identify a folder in Thumbnails view.

Viewing Files and Folders

Thumbnails
The complete folder name is displayed under the thumbnail. This can be helpful when browsing through pictures but wont help much if there is no image to display. Of all the display options, this one is the slowest because the computer has to retrieve and develop each individual thumbnail.

Viewing Files and Folders

Thumbnails View

Viewing Files and Folders

Tiles
This option displays all the files and folders with a medium sized icon, and the name of the file/folder. For images and music files, other information such as the resolution or record name are also shown.

Viewing Files and Folders

Filmstrip View
Filmstrip view is available in picture folders. Your pictures appear in a single row of thumbnail images. You can scroll through your pictures using the left and right arrow buttons. If you click a picture, it is displayed as a larger image above the other pictures. To edit, print, or save the image to another folder, double-click the picture.

Viewing Files and Folders

Icon
This option displays a medium sized icon and the name of the file/folder. In this view you can display your files and folders in groups.

Viewing Files and Folders

List View
Displays the contents of a folder as a list of file or folder names preceded by small icons. This view is useful if your folder contains many files and you want to scan the list for a file name. You can sort your files and folders in this view; however, you cannot display your files in groups. Of all the view modes, this is quickest.

Viewing Files and Folders

LIST

Viewing Files and Folders

Details View
In Details view, Windows lists the contents of the open folder and provides detailed information about your files, including name, type, size, and date modified. You can customize the various details which are shown by clicking anywhere along the details bar and placing check marks next to the properties you wish to view. In Details view you can also show your files in groups. To choose the details you want to display, on the View menu, click Choose Details.

Viewing Files and Folders

DETAILS

Viewing Files and Folders

Arranging Files
There are various ways of arranging files: 1. by name (alphabetically) 2. by size 3. by type 4. by the date modified.

Viewing Files and Folders

Reverse the Display Order

If you choose to arrange your files by clicking on the option which is already chosen, it will reverse the order in which the icons are displayed. For example, if the files are displayed by Name from A to Z and you choose to display them by name again, they will appear in reverse order (from Z to A).

Viewing Files and Folders

Show In Groups
Allows you to group your files by any detail of the file, such as name, size, type, or date modified. For example, if you group by file type, image files appear in one group, Microsoft Word files appear in another group, and Excel files in another. Show in Groups is available in the Thumbnails, Tiles, Icons, and Details views. To show your files in groups, on the View menu, point to Arrange Icons by, and then click Show in Groups.

Viewing Files and Folders

File Management
Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Copy and move files and folders

Occasionally, you might want to change where files are stored on your computer. You might want to move files to a different folder, for example, or copy them to removable media (such as CDs or memory cards) to share with another person. Most people copy and move files using a method called drag and drop. Start by opening the folder that contains the file or folder you want to move. Then open the folder where you want to move it to. Position the folder windows on the desktop so you can see the contents of both of them. Next, drag the file or folder from the first folder to the second folder. That's all there is to it.

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Copy a file or folder 3 ways

Open Windows Explorer 1. Click the file or folder you want to copy.  Under File and Folder Tasks, click Copy this file or Copy this folder.  In Copy Items, select the drive or folder you want to copy to, and then click Copy. 2. You can also copy a file or folder by rightclicking on the file or folder and choosing Copy. 3. You can copy a file or folder by using the Main Menu and choosing Edit, then Copy.

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

3

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Copy a file or folder

You can copy more than one file or folder at a time. To select consecutive files or folders, click the first item, press and hold down SHIFT, and then click the last item. To select nonconsecutive files or folders, press and hold down CTRL, and then click each item.

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Create a new folder 3 ways

Open Windows Explorer 1. Under File and Folder Tasks, click Make a new folder.  A new folder is displayed with the default name, New Folder, selected.  Type a name for the new folder, and then press ENTER. 2. You can create a new folder by right-clicking a blank area in a folder window or on the desktop, pointing to New, and then clicking Folder. 3. You can also create a new folder under FILE on the main menu, then NEW, then FOLDER

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Delete a file or folder

Click the file or folder you want to delete. Under File and Folder Tasks, click Delete this file or Delete this folder. You can also delete files or folders by right-clicking the file or folder and then clicking Delete. To permanently delete a file, press and hold down SHIFT and drag it to the Recycle Bin. The item is permanently deleted and cannot be retrieved from the Recycle Bin. You can also simply click on the file to be deleted, then simply press the Delete button on your keyboard.

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Copying vs. Moving

When using the drag-and-drop method, you might notice that sometimes the file or folder is copied and at other times it is moved. Why? If you are dragging an item between folders that are on the same hard drive, then the items are moved so two copies of the same file or folder aren't created on the same hard drive. If you drag the item to a folder that's on a different hard drive or to removable media like a CD or flash drive, then the item is copied. That way the file or folder isn't removed from its original location.

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Moving a file or folder

Click the file or folder you want to move. Under File and Folder Tasks, click Move this file or Move this folder. In Move Items, click the new location for the file or folder, and then click Move. To select a consecutive group of files, click the first file, press and hold down SHIFT, and then click the last file. To select files or folders in nonconsecutive order, press and hold down CTRL, and then click the items you want. You can also move a file or folder by dragging it to the desired location.

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Dragging Files
When you drag a file This is what happens

Into a folder on the same disk

The file is moved to the destination folder The file is copied to the folder on the destination disk Nothing. You cant add files to the navigation pane.

Into a folder on a different disk

Into the navigation pane of a folder

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Dragging Folders
When you drag a folder This is what happens

Into a folder on the same disk

The folder is moved to the destination folder The folder is copied to the folder on the destination disk A link to the folder is added to the navigation page and the link is then available from the Navigation pane of every folder.

Into a folder on a different disk

Into the navigation pane of a folder

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Drag and Drop

The most common way to copy and move files and folders is by using the drag-and-drop method, which means that you select one or more files and drag them to another location. For example, you can drag a file to the Recycle Bin to delete the file, or drag a file to a folder to copy or move it to that location. When organizing files, it is easier to have two instances of Windows Explorer open to allow dropping and dragging to each window, which is much easier than the cut/move/copy/paste options.

Copying and Moving Files and Folders

Drag and Drop

The Bare Necessities

Skills all PC users should know and use

Basic Skills

Save As and Save

There are two ways to save a file: Save As and Save. Save As is used the first time a file is being saved and allows the user to dictate where the file is to be saved and permits the user to give the file a name. Save, which is used after the file has already been given a name and location, is the method that the program uses to apply changes to the file. Within most applications, both Save and Save As can be accessed by clicking on the File button. Remember to click on Save often while modifying a file. This way, in case something happens (i.e. power failure) there is less chance that any changes you have made will be lost.

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Windows XP Folders
A folders name can consist of a maximum of 255 characters. A path describes how to find a file starting at the root directory

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Change name of a file or folder

Using Windows Explorer, locate the file or folder you want to rename. Click (highlight) on the file or folder you want to rename. Under File and Folder Tasks, click Rename this file or Rename this folder. Type the new name, and then press ENTER. You can also rename a file or folder by rightclicking it and then clicking Rename.

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Rename Folder

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EXERCISE
Right click on the folder on the desktop named your name Choose Rename from the menu Add your last initial (in CAP) to the end of your first name Hit ENTER

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File Type Associations

File association allows you to associate a file extension with a program. Every file should have a file association. When you want to open a file, the associated program will run to open it based on its extension. Windows Explorer |Tools | Folder Options | File Types tab In the Folder Options window, click the File Types tab. To change a file association select an extension and click Change.

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Shortcuts
Shortcuts are a quick and easy access links to actual programs, files, or folders. A shortcut is signpost pointing to a frequently used program. Shortcuts are either placed on the desktop or in a folder. Saves time in locating a program, since one doesnt have to search for it with Windows Explorer or from the Start Button.

File Management
Recycle Bin

Recycle Bin

Recycle Bin
To delete or restore files in the Recycle Bin: On the desktop, double-click Recycle Bin. Do one of the following:
 To restore an item, right-click it, and then click Restore.  To restore all of the items, on the Edit menu, click Select All, and then on the File menu, click Restore.  To delete an item, right-click it, and then click Delete.  To delete all of the items, on the File menu, click Empty Recycle Bin.

Recycle Bin

Recycle Bin NOTES:

Deleting an item from the Recycle Bin permanently removes it from your computer. Items deleted from the Recycle Bin cannot be restored. You can also delete items by dragging them into the Recycle Bin. If you press SHIFT while dragging, the item is deleted from your computer without being stored in the Recycle Bin. Restoring an item in the Recycle Bin returns that item to its original location. To retrieve several items at once, hold down CTRL, and then click each item that you want to retrieve. When you have finished selecting the items that you want to retrieve, on the File menu, click Restore. If you restore a file that was originally located in a deleted folder, the folder is recreated in its original location, and then the file is restored in that folder.

Recycle Bin

You cannot restore:

Items deleted from network locations. Items deleted from removable media (such as 3.5-inch disks or flash drives). Items that are larger than the storage capacity of the Recycle Bin.

Recycle Bin

What you need to know about deleting files

When you delete a file using the delete command or selecting the file and pressing delete on the keyboard the file is not yet gone. Most files first go to the recycle bin in order for your file to be really gone you need to empty the recycle bin. You can also get file back from the recycle bin by restoring them. To restore a file that is in the recycle bin use the right mouse key and then select restore the file will go back to where is was deleted from. Items in your recycle bin are still taking up space on your hard drive.

Recycle Bin

Retrieve a deleted file

To retrieve a file you have deleted, double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. Right-click the file you want to retrieve, and then click Restore.

File Management
Using Search to locate files

Using Search to locate files

Finding files
When you need to find a particular file, you'll often know that it's located somewhere in a common folder like Documents or Pictures. Unfortunately, actually locating the file you want might mean browsing through hundreds of files and subfoldersnot an easy task. To save yourself time and effort, use the Search box to find your file.

Using Search to locate files

Find Files Using Search

Open Windows Explorer/My Computer

The left pane of the window will change to reveal the search form

Using Search to locate files

Find Files Using Search

Type in all of part of the file name for which you are searching. In this instance, type in lighthouse (case does not matter I always use lowercase because it requires less keystrokes) Make sure Look in says My Computer Click on Search The left pane will display search results

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Lets get to work!

Lets get to work!

Exercises with Folders

We will create new folders. We will be performing the following actions on existing folders:  Delete  Copy  Cut  Paste  Rename

Lets get to work!

Exercises
Double-click on your desktop folder with your name Create a sub-folder within your folder named Documents Create a sub-folder within your folder named Photos Create a sub-folder within your folder named Music Create a sub-folder within your folder named Classes

Lets get to work!

Create subfolders in subfolders

Double-click to open subfolder named Photos Create subfolder named Lighthouses Now open Windows Explorer/My Computer Hit the minimize button and resize window to fit half of screen Now open Windows Explorer/My Computer again Resize the window to fit the other half of your screen

Lets get to work!

Create subfolders in subfolders

Using the right window of Explorer, using Search, find folder on your computer named lighthouses under the folder named Photos Move one file to new Lighthouses folder Using Ctrl, move every other file to the folder Using Shift, move all remaining files

Lets get to work!

Copy Entire Folder

Make sure your are in the root of your Photos folder Create subfolder named Trains Find on your computer the folder named Trains within the Photos folder Open Trains folder Use Ctrl-A to select all files Drag files to your folder named Trains.

Lets get to work!

Move Files
Double-click to open subfolder named Music Create subfolder named Country Create subfolder named Christmas Create subfolder named Instrumental) Using search, find folder on your computer named Country under the folder named Music Use Ctrl-A to select all files, right-click and drag all files to your Country folder. Do the same thing with Christmas and Instrumental.

Lets get to work!

Move Folders
Locate folder named Documents Click to select and then drag entire folder to YourName folder Locate folder named Classes Right-click on folder and drag to YourName folder

Lets get to work!

Rename a series of files

Choose the folder where the files are located Select the files you want to rename. On the File menu, click Rename. Type the new name, and then press ENTER. All of the files in the series will be named in sequence using the new name you type. Example: If you type Birthday, the other files in the series will be named Birthday (1), Birthday (2), and so on.