Tip #3643 - Windows Explorer
Printer Friendly Version | E-Mail This Tip
Windows
Explorer
I have one more Q&A for
you today. I hope you don't mind too much!
Q:
What exactly is Windows Explorer?
I've heard the term mentioned several times in your tips, but I've never
gotten a good grasp as to what it is. Please explain!
A:
You know what? This question came at the most perfect possible
time. It was brought to my attention yesterday by our tech support guy,
Chad, that we don't really have any good tips in our archives for the
Windows Explorer application. After he told me that,
I went and checked them out and he was absolutely right. It seems like
all the tips we have already written just sort of skate around the actual
concept of what Windows Explorer is. What a shame!
So, I thought it would
be in everyone's best interest to clear up all the details. If you've
been wondering for awhile (like the person who asked this question) what
Windows Explorer really is and why it's on your computer, you better listen
up, because I'm going to fill you in today. Let's get started, shall we?!
To begin with a basic
definition, Windows Explorer is a type of file manager. It is an application
that comes with every Windows operating system that provides you with
detailed information about your computer's files, folders and drives.
It covers everything from your Documents and Settings to your My Documents
files to your C: drive and so on and so on. No matter what type of files
you have on your computer or where you keep them, Windows Explorer can
manage them.
There are several
things you can do with Windows Explorer. For example, you're able to see
how your files, etc. are organized in your computer system. It even helps
you to do those little tasks of finding, saving, copying, moving, deleting
and even renaming your data. You know, all of those processes you go through
probably every day with your files. Windows Explorer is known for being
one of the best tools available for file managing and it's all free! Wow,
who knew?!
Now, there are actually
several different ways that will get you to the Windows Explorer application.
The easiest way is to right click either the Start button
or the My Computer icon on your desktop and choose
Explore. On the other hand, if you like to use keyboard shortcuts,
you can get there by hitting the Windows key and the letter E (Win
+ E) at the same time. Those two are probably the quickest access
points, but other ways include going through your programs. In Windows
ME, 2000 and XP, just go to Start, All Programs,
Accessories, Windows Explorer. If you
use Windows 95 or 98, go to Start, Programs,
Windows Explorer. Either way you go, the Windows Explorer
window will open right up for you. It will pop up right on your computer
screen.
Alright, there's one
more thing I want to tell you and then I'll be able to rest easy knowing
that you all now have a full knowledge of Windows Explorer. When you go
to open Windows Explorer, it will bring up a file directory for you. But,
what if that's not the one you want to work in? For example, Windows Explorer
may bring up your Documents and Settings when you want to start out in
your C: drive. Well, when that happens, you can easily change where Windows
Explorer opens to. Here's an example of how you can do that.
Right click on your
desktop and go to New, Shortcut. In
the command box, you'll have to type in a new directory. So, if you want
Windows Explorer to open to your C: drive, enter this command line in:
explorer /n,/e,/root,,/select,C:\. Make sure you keep
all the spaces in as well. Click Next and then Finish.
A new icon will come up on your desktop and when you double click that,
Windows Explorer will open to your C: drive. If you want to open Windows
Explorer from any of the ways we talked about above, you can do that as
well, but either way, your C: drive will be the one that pops up.
For more examples
on changing your directory routes, you can read here.
Once you have everything set the way you want it, you'll be able to use
Windows Explorer for all your file managing needs. It's so easy to use
and it doesn't get any more convenient than being right there on your
computer every time you boot it up. I hope you now have a better understanding
as to what Windows Explorer really is and now, you can finally get some
good use out of it!
~ Erin
Want To Comment On This Tip? Click Here! We'd love to hear from you :-)
Like These Tips? Get 'Em Free In Your E-mail
