Objectives of this Tutorial

• Understand the function of folders and use them to organize your data
• Use My Computer and Windows Explorer to view your files and folders
• Create, copy, rename and delete folders and files
• Use drag and drop
• Understand the conventions for naming files in Windows 98
• Find a file or folder using the Find menu option facility
• Undo the last action
• Retrieve a deleted file using the Recycle Bin
• Format a floppy disk

Topics covered in this Tutorial

• Folders
• My Computer
• Windows Explorer
• Working with Folders
• Working with Files

Folders

Folders are used to organize the information on the hard disk of a PC. They have the same function as the directories used in DOS and earlier versions of Windows. Apart from the change of name, folders and directories are essentially the same.

Folders are arranged in a hierarchy. The drive letter such as A: C: or D: represents the top of the hierarchy; this is the same as the root directory mentioned earlier in the course. Folders and sub-folders are then created below this level. Folders can contain documents, programs and other folders (sub-folders).

The folder icon represents folders . The icon will change to when the folder is opened. Some folders such as Printers and Control Panel include a pictorial representation of their contents.



Windows 98 creates its own set of standard folders during installation and these folders should not generally be altered. Folders and sub-folders can be added, depending on how data is to be organized.

My Computer

My Computer displays all the resources available on the PC, such as floppy disk drives, hard disk drives, the Control Panel and Printers.

Displaying files on the C: drive with My Computer

1. Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop
2. Double-click the icon for the C: drive. A new window opens to display folders and files located at the top level of the drive

Windows Explorer

Windows Explorer can be used as an alternative to My Computer to manage folders and files. All components of the PC can be accessed from Explorer, including the Desktop, disk drives, Control Panel, printers and the Recycle Bin.

Windows Explorer displays information in two panes (a pane is a section of a window). The left pane displays the hierarchy of resources including drives and folders. The right pane displays the contents of the resource that is currently selected.

To start Windows Explorer and view Control Panel icons

1. Click Start > Programs
2. Click on Windows Explorer. The Explorer application will now start
3. Maximize the window if required
4. In the left pane click on Control Panel. The contents of the right pane will change to display the Control Panel icons
5. Double-click on an icon; for example, Regional Settings

Working with Folders

Folders can be managed and organized from either Windows Explorer or My Computer. Explorer is the most convenient way to manage PC resources, as all resources are shown in a single window.

Creating a New Folder

1. From the left pane of Windows Explorer, select the drive or folder which will contain the new folder
2. Click File > New > Folder. A New Folder item will appear in the right pane (this is a temporary name)
3. The temporary name of the folder can now be changed by overtyping
4. Press the Enter key. The new folder name will be confirmed

A folder name cannot contain the following characters:
\ / : * ? " < > |

Duplicate Folder Names

It is not possible to have two sub-folders with the same name in the same folder. However, it is possible to have two sub-folders with the same name if they are stored in different locations.

How Windows 98 deals with duplicate folder names

1. From the left pane of Windows Explorer select the C: drive
2. Click File > New > Folder. A New Folder item will appear in the right pane (this is a temporary name)
3. Change the name of the folder to My Documents and press the Enter key (a folder with this name has previously been created by Windows 98 set-up in this location)
4. Explorer will display an error message stating that the name already exists
5. Change the file name to My Documents1 and press Enter

Renaming a Folder

1. From the left pane of Windows Explorer select the folder to be renamed: My Documents1
2. Alternate mouse-click on the name of folder. This will display a context menu
3. From the Context menu select the Rename option with the primary mouse button
4. Type the new name; for example, My Files, then press Enter

Deleting a Folder

1. From the left pane of Windows Explorer, select the folder to be deleted; for example, My Files
2. Alternate mouse-click on the name of folder. This will display a context menu
3. From the menu select Delete with the primary mouse button
4. Confirm deletion by clicking Yes. The contents of the folder will also be deleted.