Answer:

Understanding how to work with files and folders is an important part of using your computer. Once you understand how files and folder work, you'll use them all the time. In this lesson, we'll show you the absolute basics of working with files, including how to open files, move your files into folders, and delete files.

Watch the video below to learn more about using files and folders in Windows.

What is a file?

There are many different types of files you can use. For example, Microsoft Word documents, digital photos, digital music, and digital videos are all types of files. You might even think of a file as a digital version of a real-world thing you can interact with on your computer. When you use different applications, you'll often be viewing, creating, or editing files.

Files are usually represented by an icon. In the image below, you can see a few different types of files below the Recycle Bin on the desktop.

file icons in Windows 10

What is a folder?

Windows uses folders to help you organize files. You can put files inside a folder, just like you would put documents inside a real folder. In the image below, you can see some folders on the desktop.

folders in Windows 10

File Explorer

You can view and organize files and folders using a built-in application known as File Explorer (called Windows Explorer in Windows 7 and earlier versions).

To open File Explorer, click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar, or double-click any folder on your desktop. A new File Explorer window will appear. Now you're ready to start working with your files and folders.

File Explorer

From File Explorer, double-click a folder to open it. You can then see all of the files stored in that folder.

double-clicking a folder

Notice that you can also see the location of a folder in the address bar near the top of the window.

location of the folder in the address bar

To open a file:

There are two main ways to open a file:

Find the file on your computer and double-click it. This will open the file in its default application. In our example, we'll open a Microsoft Word document (Cover Letter.docx), which will open in Microsoft Word.

open a file by double-clicking it

Open the application, then use the application to open the file. Once the application is open, you can go to the File menu at the top of the window and select Open.

open the application

Moving and deleting files

As you begin using your computer, you will start to collect more and more files, which can make it more difficult to find the files you need. Fortunately, Windows allows you to move files to different folders and delete files you no longer use.

To move a file:

It's easy to move a file from one location to another. For example, you might have a file on the desktop that you want to move to your Documents folder.

Click and drag the file to the desired location.

moving a file

Release the mouse. The file will appear in the new location. In this example, we have opened the folder to see the file in its new location.

file appears in the new location

You can use this same technique to move an entire folder. Note that moving a folder will also move all of the files within that folder.

To create a new folder:

Within File Explorer, locate and select the New folder button. You can also right-click where you want the folder to appear, then select New > Folder.

new folder

The new folder will appear. Type the desired name for the folder and press Enter. In our example, we'll call it School Documents.

typing a new name for the folder

The new folder will be created. You can now move files into this folder.

To rename a file or folder:

You can change the name of any file or folder. A unique name will make it easier to remember what type of information is saved in the file or folder.

Click the file or folder, wait about one second, and click again. An editable text field will appear.

Type the desired name on your keyboard and press Enter. The name will be changed.

renaming a file

You can also right-click the folder and select Rename from the menu that appears.

right-click to rename

To delete a file or folder:

If you no longer need to use a file, you can delete it. When you delete a file, it is moved to the Recycle Bin. If you change your mind, you can move the file from the Recycle Bin back to its original location. If you're sure you want to permanently delete the file, you will need to empty the Recycle Bin.

Click and drag the file to the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. You can also click the file to select it and press the Delete key on your keyboard.

deleting a file

To permanently delete the file, right-click the Recycle Bin icon and select Empty Recycle Bin. All files in the Recycle Bin will be permanently deleted.

emptying the recycle bin

Note that deleting a folder will also delete all of the files within that folder.