Windows Explorer is an essential feature of Microsoft Windows, allowing users to view the contents of their hard drive and other storage devices. It is used to navigate the file system of a computer, and is the primary way of managing files and folders in a Windows operating system. While it may seem intimidating at first, once you understand the basics of how to open Windows Explorer, you’ll be able to quickly find and manage your files.
Using Windows Explorer in Windows 10
To open Windows Explorer in Windows 10, click on the Start menu in the bottom left corner of the screen. This will open the Start menu, where you can type “Windows Explorer” into the search bar. Click on the “Windows Explorer” icon that appears in the search results to open the Windows Explorer window. In Windows 10, you can also open Windows Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
Using Windows Explorer in Windows 7
To open Windows Explorer in Windows 7, click on the Start menu in the bottom left corner of the screen. This will open the Start menu, where you can type “Windows Explorer” into the search bar. Click on the “Windows Explorer” icon that appears in the search results to open the Windows Explorer window. You can also open Windows Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
Using Windows Explorer in Windows 8 and 8.1
To open Windows Explorer in Windows 8 or 8.1, swipe in from the right edge of the screen and tap the search icon. This will open the search box, where you can type “Windows Explorer” into the search bar. Click on the “Windows Explorer” icon that appears in the search results to open the Windows Explorer window. You can also open Windows Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
Using Windows Explorer to Browse Files and Folders
Once you’ve opened Windows Explorer, you can use it to browse the contents of your computer’s hard drive and other storage devices. In the left pane, you’ll see a list of all the folders and drives on your system. You can navigate through these folders by simply clicking on them. In the right pane, you’ll see a list of all the files in the currently selected folder. You can open a file by double-clicking it, or you can select multiple files and folders by pressing and holding the Ctrl key and clicking on each item.
Using Windows Explorer to Manage Files and Folders
In addition to simply browsing through files and folders, you can also use Windows Explorer to manage them. You can copy, move, delete, and rename files and folders by right-clicking on them and selecting the appropriate options from the context menu. You can also select multiple files and folders and perform batch operations, such as deleting or moving them to a new location.
Using Windows Explorer to View Hidden Files and Folders
By default, Windows Explorer will not show hidden files and folders. To view hidden files and folders, you’ll need to enable the “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” option. To do this, open Windows Explorer and click on the “View” tab at the top of the window. Check the box next to “Hidden items” and all hidden files and folders will be displayed.
Using Windows Explorer to Search for Files and Folders
Windows Explorer also includes a powerful search function that can be used to quickly locate files and folders on your system. To use the search function, open Windows Explorer and enter the file or folder name into the search bar. You can refine your search by selecting a specific folder or drive from the drop-down menu. You can also use advanced search options to further refine your query.
Conclusion
Windows Explorer is an essential feature of the Windows operating system. It can be used to quickly navigate through files and folders, manage them, and search for them. Once you understand the basics of how to open Windows Explorer, you’ll be able to quickly find and manage your files. With a little bit of practice, you’ll be navigating the Windows file system like a pro in no time.