Windows Manual
copyright 1996, 1997 by Tracy Marks
Boston area Windows Training, Tutoring and Consulting

LESSON TWO:
MY COMPUTER AND EXPLORER continued

G. Explorer: Orientation

Most file procedures used in My Computer are the same in Explorer. However,
because of Explorer's dual pane view, you may prefer to use it, especially to
view the entire structure of your folders and files, and to copy or to move files.
(You can, however, copy or move files in My Computer by opening separate
windows for different directories).

The drive (or directory on a drive) that is open in Explorer is indicated at top
left on the title bar, and above the right panel. When you select a folder, its
name will appear in the drive box, its name will be highlighted, and its folder
icon will appear open.

On the left side of your Explorer window are the folders in your chosen
drive. The Explorer view begins with Desktop, followed by My Computer,
and lists all your drives, followed by other folders or programs contained
within the Desktop and My Computer.

Your directory structure is indicated by the indentation levels in Explorer's
left pane. On the right side are the files and folders that are contained
within the folder you select at left. Your selected folder appears to be
open, with its contents spilling out into the right panel.

A minus sign on a folder means that it is fully expanded. A plus sign on
a folder means that more files are contained inside it than are visible.

NAVIGATING WITH EXPLORER

Drag the line between the two panes to make one pane smaller or larger.

Double click an expanded folder to contract it; double click a contracted
folder to expand it.

To change the drive, use the down arrow at left top. You can also use the
backspace key, or the up arrow at left on the toolbar to move up one level.

Use the middle scroll bar to scroll through your root directory.

Using control home will take you to the top; pageup will take you one
screen up. Use control end to go to the bottom of your directory list, or
pagedown to go down one screen. If you have selected any directory,
you can scroll immediately to the directory you seek by typing the first
letter of its name.

FEATURES IN THE TOOLS MENU
Using Tools, Go to, you can type in a path (if you know it) of a file you
wish to go to. Use Tools, Find to access Windows's Find feature, for finding
files. You can also access find at the bottom of your START menu.

PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. Open Explorer. In the View menu, make sure that toolbar and status bar
    are checked.
2. If necessary, navigate upon one level to My Computer.
3. Navigate to your c-drive and double click your Windows directory.
4. Double click the Desktop folder in the Windows directory (to see
    the folders on your desktop).
5. Double click the Cursors folder in Windows to see your cursor files.
6. Drag the separator between panes so that the right pane is larger.
7. Check out different views using Explorer's view menu.

H. Explorer: Copying Files

With My Computer or Explorer, you can use any of a number of methods
for copying (and for moving) files - right clicking, clicking a toolbar icon,
clicking edit, copy on the menu bar, pressing control x on your keyboard,
or dragging your files to another location. As you gain more experience
and confidence, you will probably use the dragging option more frequently.
Initially, you may prefer the other options.

Whatever your method, you must first select the file (files) you wish to copy.
However, your task will be easier if you make the target directory visible
in your left pane before you select the file you wish to copy. Navigating to
the right pane, you then make the source (the location to which you wish
to copy) visible, and select the file.


RIGHT CLICKING
1. Right click the file (or one of the selected files) you wish to copy. Choose copy.
2. Navigate to the directory where you wish to move your file (files) and select it.
3. Right click that directory, and choose paste.


TOOLBAR
(Make sure your toolbar is visible. Check toolbar on the view menu)
1. With the file you are copying selected, click the copy icon on the toolbar.
2. Navigate to the directory folder where you wish to place your file (files).
     Select it.
3. Click the paste icon


MENU BAR
1. With the file you are copying selected, choose edit, copy on the menu bar.
2. Navigate to the directory folder where you wish to place your file(files).
    Select it.
3. Choose edit, paste.


KEYBOARD
1. With the file you are copying selected, press and hold control c (hold
    down control while you press the letter c).
2. Navigate to the directory where you wish to place your file (files). Select it.
3. Press control v (hold down control while your press v).


DRAGGING
NOTE: You need both directories visible to use this option.

Click and hold on the file you wish to copy and:
a) if copying it to the same drive, hold down the letter c on your keyboard
    while you drag it. (Remember: c for copy!)
b) if copying to a different drive, just drag it.
(Windows automatically copies rather than moves to different drives.)

Drop it precisely on the folder to which it will go. A small box will be visible
around the selected folder, so that you can drop it within that folder. If you
miss, check the folders above and below your selected folder to see if
the file landed there. Otherwise, you may have to search to locate it.

PRACTICE EXERCISE
1. Using the menu bar in Explorer, copy your Computer Maintenance file
    on drive a and paste it into your Student folder on drive a.
2. Using the toolbar, copy Computer Maintenance into your personal folder.
3. Create a new text document in your personal folder. Rename it practice.
4. Use control c, control v to copy practice into your Student folder.
5. Right click the WindowsNotes file on your desktop, and copy it to your
    Windows directory in Explorer.
6. In the Windows directory, locate your WindowsNotes file.
7. Holding control, DRAG WindowsNotes into the personal folder on your
   drive a in Explorer.

NEXT: Moving Files, Deleting Files       continue

	Web www.windweaver.com www.webwinds.com

Previous Page   Windows Manual Contents    Windows Tips   Bookstore   Next Page   
Top of Page    Index    Services    Search Tools    Search Guide    Email

copyright 1997 by Tracy Marks    Windweaver    Arlington, Massachusetts  (781) 641-3371
http://www.windweaver.com/index.htm               Webmaster:  Tracy Marks   Tracy Marks        Contact information