- Introduction
- Using the Explorer Window
- Changing the Explorer Window View
- Using the Ribbon
- Choosing Commands
- Opening and Viewing This PC
- 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
Using the Explorer Window
Explorer windows, such as File Explorer, are powerful easy-to-use tools for working with files in the desktop in Windows 8. Explorers give you more information and control while simplifying how you work with your files. The experience is easy and consistent, whether you’re browsing documents or photos or even using the Control Panel. Key elements of the Explorer windows in the desktop are designed to help you get to the information you need, when you need it. Each Explorer window includes the following elements:
- Toolbar. Use to access frequently used commands, known as the Quick Access Toolbar.
- Ribbon. Use to access buttons or options organized in groups on tabs.
- Back, Forward, and Up buttons. Use to navigate between previously viewed folders.
- Address bar. Use to navigate directly to a different location, including local and network disks, folders, and web locations.
- Search box. Use to perform instant searches, which show only those files that match what you typed in the Search box for the current folder and any of its subfolders.
- Navigation pane. Use to display common folders, such as Favorites, SkyDrive (New!), Homegroup (a shared network), This PC (New!), and Network, using a Folder list tree structure.
- SkyDrive, This PC, or Libraries. Use to access common folders, such as Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos located on your SkyDrive (New!) on the Microsoft cloud, or local PC (New!). A library is a collection of files and folders linked from different locations—such as a SkyDrive or This PC by default—into a central place. A file or folder can be stored in one location, yet linked to a library for easy access in one place.
Status bar. Displays number of items and selected items in a folder, and Details and Icons view buttons.