- Working with Files, Folders, and Disks
- Viewing Files and Folders
- Navigating Folders
- Working with Libraries
- Searching for Files
- Creating New Folders
- Renaming Files and Folders
- Copying Files
- Moving Files
- Deleting Files
- Working with Compressed Folders
- Copying Files to Another Computer
- Backing Up Your Important Files
Copying Files
Now it’s time to address the most common things you do with files—copying and moving them from one location to another.
It’s important to remember that copying is different from moving. When you copy an item, the original item remains in its original location—plus you have the new copy. When you move an item, the original is no longer present in the original location—all you have is the item in the new location.
The Easy Way to Copy
To copy a file or a folder from within Windows Explorer, follow these steps:
- Select the item you want to copy.
- Click the Organize button and select Copy from the pull-down menu.
- Use Windows Explorer to navigate to the new location for the item.
- Click the Organize button and select Paste from the pull-down menu.
That’s it. You’ve just copied the file from one location to another.
Other Ways to Copy
The method just presented is only one of many ways to copy a file. Windows 7 provides several other methods, including
- Right-click a file and select Copy from the pop-up menu, and then paste to the new location.
- Right-click a file and select Send To from the pop-up menu, and then select a location from the choices listed.
- Hold down the Ctrl key and then use your mouse to drag the file or folder from one location to another within Windows Explorer.
- Drag the file or folder while holding down the right mouse button. When you drop the file into a new location, you see a pop-up menu that asks whether you want to move it or copy it. Select the copy option.