File Explorer

The File Explorer (which is often called file manager sometimes by users) is a system application that is used to browse (search) through files and perform other operations such as editing, copying and pasting, arrangement of files and lots more. The file explorer can also be used to locate different folders and directories in the computer system.

Different Parts of File Explorer

1. Title Bar

The title bar is located at the top of the file explorer. It consists of the following.

(i) Title Name - This the name of the current folder you are in.

(ii) Minimize - This is a minus sign icon that is used to reduce the size of the entire page display folder into an icon, which will be now located at the taskbar menu.

(iii) Maximize/Resize - This is a double-box like icon that is used to increase or resize the size of the entire page display folder.

(iv) Close - This is used to exit the folder.

(v) Title Icon - The title icon can also be used to minimize, close, maximize, size, move and restore the size of the entire page display folder

(vi) Customize Quick Access Toolbar - The is a small dropdown button that displays other shortcut tools. When any of the options are being checked (marked), the icon displays in the title bar. For example the Properties and New Folder in the diagram below is checked.

2. Menu Tab

The Menu tab consist of the file, home, computer, share, view, drive tools and ribbons. It also has minimize/expand arrow-up/down icon for displaying and hiding ribbons. At the end right side, it has option for help with a question mark symbol.

3. Ribbons

Ribbons are group of related settings that can be used for file and document operations.

(a) Home Ribbon

The home ribbon contains the following:

(i) Clipboard - This is a group which contains copy, paste and cut options. It also have options to pin folder and files and also copy paths and paste shortcuts created by applications and documents.

(ii) Organize - The organize group have options that can be used to organize documents and files, such as Move-to (removing a document, file or folder form one location to another in a computer system), Copy-to (making a duplicate of a file, folder or document and sending it to another location) and Rename (changing the name of the file, document or folder). It also has option for deleting.

(iii) New - This group contains all options that are responsible for creating and positioning new folder. Its options include: New folder - to create a new folder, Easy access - used to create a shortcut for easy access and New item - which also contains various options such as including your selection into a library, mapping it into a drive and others.

(iv) Open - Open group has options responsible for opening a file or document, editing and viewing its properties and history.

(v) Select - This group has the following options: selection all - which is used to select everything in the folder you have opened. select none: which is used to deselect all selected items and lastly the invert-selection - which is used to deselect what you have previously selected and select what you have not previously selected.

(b) Computer Ribbon

The computer ribbon is only available when you click on - This Computer

The computer ribbon has the following group of related settings

(i) Location - The is the first group which have the following options: Properties - For checking the details of that file, folder, directories that is selected. Open - option used to open a document. Rename - Used to change that name of the document, file, folder or directories and locations.

(ii) Network - Network group contains options for adding, connecting and creating networks. It has the following options: Access Media - used to access usb, printer and other media devices. Map Network Drive - option used to create information on another location or remote hard drive. Add a Network Location - used to create a new network location connection.

(iii) System - This group contains: Open settings - for opening system settings, Uninstall or Change a Program - for removing an application from the system, System Properties - Displays details about the system and Manage - this takes you to computer management which contains different management functions such as system tools, storage and services and application.

(c) Share Ribbon

This ribbon contains send and share options.

(i) Send - This group contains the following options: Share - used for sending selected files or documents. Email - used for sending the selected document or file to an email. It usually appears as an attachment. Zip - used for compression of the selected items into a zipped folder. Burn to disc - this is used to send documents or files to a disc. Print and Fax - Both are printing options used to send a document to a printer/fax.

(i) Share With - This group has options with sharing with different people, removing sharing access and adding advance security to selected item.

(d) View Ribbon

The view ribbon is one of the largest ribbons which contains the following group of related commands.

(i) Panes - This group contains the following: Navigation Pane - which is used for enabling different nagivation options in the navigation bar. Preview Navigation - this option is used to enable and disable navigation preview which usually appears at the right-hand side of the file explorer. Detail Pane - this option is the same as the preview navigation but it displays the icon attached to the selected item, file or document.

(ii) Layout - Layout group contains different options for arranging documents and folders. It contains the Extra-Large Icons, Large Icons, Medium Icons, Small Icons, List, Details, Tiles and Content.

(iii) Current View - This group is used for sorting, grouping, adding of columns. It also has option for sizing all columns to fit.

(iv) Show/Hide - This group is used for showing and hiding different file options such as file extension name and hidden files. It also have options for changing items, folder and search views.

4. Back, Forward and Up Buttons

These are buttons used for moving backwards, forwards and upwards in the file explorer. It also has a dropdown arrow button for viewing recent locations that were previously opened.

5. Search Box

This input box is used to search the current folder of that location you are in.

6. Column Headings

Column headings includes columns for Name, Date modified, Type, Size, Date created etc.

7. Side Navigation Pane

The side navigation pane is located at the left-hand side of the file explorer which contains default locations (Quick Access, This Computer, Drive Location, Documents, Pictures and Videos) and other recently opened locations.

8. File Lists

These are the list of files in the folder area.

9. Status Bar

The status bar is located at the bottom of the file explorer, at the left side. It shows the number of files of the opened folder, its size and selected files. At the right side, it has options for arranging documents into lists with details.