4.5: File Management

Opening File Explorer

To open File Explorer, click on the File Explorer icon located in the taskbar.

Alternatively, you can open File Explorer by clicking on the Start button and then clicking on File Explorer.

Displaying Subfolders

If you’ve used previous versions of Windows, you know that a folder name would have a plus sign next to it if that folder contains documents or subfolders.

With Windows 11, if a folder contains subfolders, that folder name will instead have a small right-pointing triangle next to it.

• No triangle next to a folder name means that the folder has no subfolders.

• To view a folder’s subfolders, click on the right-pointing triangle next to the folder. The right-pointing triangle will turn into a down-pointing triangle, and the subfolders will be displayed, as shown below.

• Down-pointing triangle next to a folder name means that subfolders are currently displayed for that folder.

• To hide a folder’s subfolders, click on the down-pointing triangle of that folder so that the subfolders will no longer be displayed.

Accessing Your Files and Folders

There are number of ways you can navigate to your files and folders in File Explorer:

• Using the Address bar (located at the top of File Explorer). The Address bar shows the full path of your current location.
• Forward and Backward buttons
• From the Folders pane
• Using the Search function (searches file names and file and folder contents in the current folder to find items containing your search term)

Using the Address Bar

The Address bar, which is located at the top of File Explorer as shown below, displays the path of the currently selected folder.

File Explorer drop-down menus are available for each subfolder in the Address bar. So you can easily go backward or forward in the folder path by clicking on the right-pointing arrow next to a folder and selecting a subfolder from the drop-down menu.

Viewing Previously Visited Folders in the Address Bar

To view folders you’ve been to previously, you can do any of the following:

Click on the Forward or Back buttons. (These buttons work just like the Forward and Back buttons on a Web browser.)

Click on a folder name in the Address bar.

Creating a New Folder

1. Navigate to the location where you want to add your folder.
2. In File Explorer, click on the New menu item (located on the top left corner.)
3. From the drop down menu, click on the New folder button.
4. Enter the name of your new folder.
5. After you enter the folder name, click anywhere outside the text area to complete creation of the folder name.

Searching for Files

Windows 11 comes with a powerful search capability.

Windows 11 will search all file types—documents, images, music, Web pages—as well as bookmarks and program shortcuts on your Desktop. Windows 11 will search file content, as well as file and folder names.

1. Navigate to the folder where you want to search for items. You will see the Search box in the upper right-hand corner of the Windows Explorer window. (You should see a small magnifying glass icon on the right-hand side of the text area.)
2. Type the desired search text in the Search box. Choose the desired search criteria from Search Options. (Some of the search criteria you select might be added to the Search text area; Windows updates the search results automatically as you enter search criteria.)As you type your search text, Windows automatically displays in the file and folder list area any items that match your search criteria. The Address bar will also display Search results in [current folder name]; in the example below, Search results in Documents is displayed in the Address bar. If not already displayed, expand the File Explorer window to also display file or folder location, text snippet for text documents, or dimensions for image files.
3. If you’ve set up search criteria you want to retain for a future search, you can save that search by clicking Save search.

Creating a Shortcut to a Folder

You can add a folder in the Quick access area of the Navigation Pane as a shortcut, much like you might add a bookmark in a Web browser. Creating a shortcut enables you to quickly and easily get to any folder you use frequently.

1. Open Windows Explorer.
2. Navigate to the folder for which you want to create a shortcut.
3. Click on the folder icon and drag it to the "Favorite Links" section, and then drop it in the position you want it to appear. (A horizontal line changes position as you move your mouse. The line indicates where your icon will appear.)

The folder will be displayed in the Quick access area.

Or, you can click on the folder with the right mouse button, and chose "Pin to Quick access" on the menu.

Compress and Extract (Zip and Unzip) files and/or folders

Zipped (compressed) files reduce file size and bundle multiple files for easier sharing. In Windows, users can create ZIP files via the right‑click menu or File Explorer tools. Contents can be extracted using “Extract All” or by dragging files out of the archive. Zipped folders behave like regular folders but may affect encryption and compression outcomes.

Zipped (compressed) files take up less storage space and can be transferred to other computers more quickly than uncompressed files. In Windows, you work with zipped files and folders in the same way that you work with uncompressed files and folders. Combine several files into a single zipped folder to more easily share a group of files.

To unzip (extract)

1. Locate the zipped folder that you want to unzip (extract) files or folders from.
2. Do one of the following:
   • To unzip a single file or folder, open the zipped folder, then drag the file or folder from the zipped folder to a new location.
   • To unzip all the contents of the zipped folder, right-click (or press and hold) the folder, select Extract All..., and then follow the instructions.
   • Or you can open the folder and click on the "Extract all" option.

File Explorer Extract. Images by Luis R Castellanos, Public Domain, Own work.

Move files

1.Use Drag and Drop to move

• Click and hold the file you want to move, drag it to the desired folder, and release it.
• To Copy: Hold down the CTRL key while dragging the file to create a copy instead of moving it.

2. Keyboard Shortcuts

• Copy Files: Select the file(s) you want to copy and press CTRL + C. Then navigate to the destination folder and press CTRL + V to paste.
• Move Files: Select the file(s) you want to move and press CTRL + X to cut them. Navigate to the destination folder and press CTRL + V to paste them.

3. Context Menu Options

• Right-click Method: Right-click on the file and select "Copy" or "Cut." Then navigate to the destination folder, right-click in the folder, and select "Paste."

4. Quick Access and Navigation Pane

• Use Quick Access: Pin frequently used folders to Quick Access for easier navigation.
• Navigate Easily: Use the navigation pane on the left side to quickly switch between folders