- Introduction
- Using the Explorer Window
- Changing the Explorer Window View
- Using the Ribbon
- Choosing Commands
- Opening and Viewing the Computer
- Viewing and Opening Documents
- Working with Libraries
- Working with Personal Folders
- Navigating Between Folders
- Viewing the Folders List
- Changing the Explorer Layout
- Customizing the Navigation Pane
- Organizing Files by Headings
- Sorting and Grouping Files
- Searching for Files and Folders
- Saving a Search
- Changing Search Options
- Modifying the Index to Improve Searches
- Adding Properties and Tags to Files
- Creating and Renaming Files and Folders
- Copying and Moving Files and Folders
- Deleting and Restoring Files and Folders
- Changing File and Folder List Views
- Hiding Files and Folders
- Changing Folder Options
- Customizing Library Folders
- Customizing Personal Folders
- Sharing Folders or Files with Others
- Compressing Files and Folders
- Managing Files Using a CD or DVD
- Creating a Shortcut to a File or Folder
Opening and Viewing the Computer
The Computer window is the starting point to access every disk, folder, and file on your PC computer. You can access the Computer window from File Explorer. The Computer window displays several types of local, removable, and network drives. Drives and folders are represented by icons. Each drive is assigned a drive letter, denoted with parentheses and a colon, such as Local Disk (C:), to make it easier to identify. Typically, the floppy is drive A, the hard (also known as local) disk is drive C, and the CD or DVD is drive D. If your PC computer includes additional drives, your PC computer assigns them letters in alphabetical order. Once you open more than one drive or folder, you can use buttons on the Ribbon to help you move quickly between folders.
Open and View the Computer
- In the desktop, click or tap the File Explorer icon on the taskbar.
Click or tap Computer in the Navigation pane.
- In the Start screen, you can also click or tap All apps on the Apps bar, and then click or tap Computer.
- Click or tap a drive to select it.
- To review the drive details, click or tap the Details pane button on the View tab.
- Double-click or double-tap the drive to open it.
- Click or tap the Back or Forward button or the Up button on the toolbar to return or move to a previously visited window.
- When you’re done, click or tap the Close button.
Typical Disk Drives on a Computer
Icon |
Type Description |
Local |
A hard magnetic disk (or hard disk) on which you can store large amounts of data. The Local Disk (C:) stores all the files on your PC computer. |
Floppy |
A soft removable magnetic disk that comes in a 3½-inch size, which stores up to 1.44 MB of data. Floppy disks are slower to access than a hard disk, but are portable and much less expensive. |
Removable |
A removable magnetic disk on which you can store PC computer data, such as a Zip disk (requires software). Another is a Flash memory card the size of a large stamp that holds128, 256, 512 MB or greater. Flash drives connect directly into a USB plug without software. |
CD-ROM |
Compact Disc-Read-Only Memory An optical disk on which you can stamp, or burn, up to 1 GB (typical size is 650 MB) of data in only one session. The disc cannot be erased or burned again with additional new data. |
CD-R |
Compact Disc-Recordable A type of CD-ROM on which you can burn up to 1 GB of data in multiple sessions. The disc can be burned again with new data, but cannot be erased. |
CD-RW |
Compact Disc-Rewriteable A type of CD-ROM on which you can read, write, and erase data, just like a hard disk. |
DVD |
Digital Video Disc A type of DVD-ROM that holds a minimum of 4.7 GB, enough for a full-length movie. |
DVD-R |
Digital Video Disc-Recordable A type of DVD-ROM on which you can burn up to 4.7 GB of data in multiple sessions. The disc can be burned again with new data, but cannot be erased. |
DVD-RW |
Digital Video Disc-Rewriteable A type of DVD-ROM on which you can read, write, and erase data, just like a hard disk. |
HD-DVD DVD-ROM |
High Density Digital Video Disc A type of high density on which you can read data; the disc appears as a high density drive. |
Blu-ray |
High Density Blu-ray Disc A type of high density DVD-ROM on which you can read data; the disc appears as a high density drive. |