This used to be called Windows Explorer in previous versions of Windows - but now in Windows 8 is File Explorer - and is basically the interface you will use to navigate files and folders on your hard disk, memory stick, CD/DVD etc and perform tasks with them
Accessing File Explorer
File Explorer can be opened using the icon on the taskbar if using Desktop mode
or from the All apps page of the Start screen (under Windows System)
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button to hide the ribbon
The Home tab is the default tab you will see when opening File Explorer - from here you have options for copying/moving, renaming and deleting files/folders, as well as creating new folders and checking file/folder properties
The Share tab has options for emailing files, compressing (zipping) files, burning files to CD/DVD, print/faxing files and to enable sharing of files/folders if you have multiple computers networked together
The View tab allows you to customize the layout of File Explorer and to choose how you wish to display files/folders - you can also access the Options dialog box (as explained further in Options section below)
The Computer tab, which appears when you select a drive under the This PC section in the Navigation Pane gives you options to access media on a media server, map a network drive to another computer and also has shortcuts to access the Control Panel, to manage the computer, to uninstall software or to see system properties
The HomeGroup tab allows you to join an existing homegroup, choose which devices and libraries to share as well as changing settings, troubleshooting homegroup problems or to find the homegroup password
The Network tab has options for working with network connected devices, connecting to remote computers and accessing connected devices and printers
The Drive Tools tab appears when you select any drive in the Navigation Pane - from here you can alter BitLocker (drive encryption) settings, optimize (defrag) your drive, clean-up temporary files and format a drive - you can also change AutoPlay settings, burn files to CD/DVD, erase CD/DVD disks and eject the CD/DVD drive
The Library Tools tab allows you to manage your photo/document/music libraries and to change settings for your libraries
The Picture Tools tab appears whenever you have a picture selected in the Content Pane - and allows you to rotate, view as a slideshow or set the picture as your desktop background
The Search Tools tab appears when ever you enter anything in the search box
The Application Tools tab appears whenever you select an executable file or program installer and gives you the option to pin it to the taskbar, run as administrator or to troubleshoot compatibility problems
The Compressed Folder Tools tab appears when you click on a compressed (zipped) file - and gives you options to extract the files and to choose where to extract them
The Music Tools and Video Tools tabs appear whenever you browse a folder containing music or video files - and allows you to play a single item, play all items or add items to a playlist
The Recycle Bin Tools appear when you double click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop - and allows you to empty the bin, check properties or to restore selected or all items back to their original locations |
When copying or moving files from one location to another you will see the following dialog box - which shows the progress/speed of the current operation along with the current file being processed, time remaining and items remaining - the process can be paused or stopped using the buttons above the graph (as highlighted below)
Unlike previous versions of Windows if you are doing various copy/move operations they now all show in the same progress dialog box
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Deleting files/folders will show the following progress box as it first calculates the sizes of the files and then moves the selected files/folders to the recycle bin
Unlike previous versions of Windows you do not by default get a prompt confirming you wish to delete the selected files/folders - so be very careful!
To enable the confirmation prompt so you are always asked if you are sure before deleting files/folders - right mouse click on the Recycle Bin icon (located on the Desktop) and choose Properties
When the Recycle Bin Properties window appears tick the box next to "Display delete confirmation dialog" and click OK
Now whenever you try to delete a file or folder you will see the following box to confirm you wish to proceed
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File Explorer options can be accessed from the Options button on the View ribbon toolbar
From this options dialog box you can customize the layout options, change advanced settings and alter search defaults
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