Windows XP

Working with Files

Working with files is an important part of managing documents in Windows Explorer and Windows XP.

Selecting Multiple Files
Copying Files
Moving Files
Renaming Files
Deleting Files
Restoring Files from the Recycle Bin

Selecting Multiple Files

For each of the following options, you can work with more than one file at a time. For instance, if you want to delete ten files from your disk, you can delete all ten at the same time. To do this, you must select the files together.

Selecting Contiguous Files

Select the first file in the series
Press and hold [Shift]
Select the last file in the series
Release [Shift]

Selecting Non-Contiguous Files

Press and hold [Ctrl]
Select each of the files separately
After you have made all your selections, release [Ctrl]

Copying Files

Copying files is useful when you want a second copy or a backup copy of a file. When making a backup copy, make sure the copy is stored on a different disk or drive than the original file. If the disk or folder that the original is saved on should develop a problem, you do not want to lose both copies.

To copy files, you can use a method similar to copying text. The process is similar if you are copying files to another location on the hard-drive or between the hard-drive and a floppy diskette. If you are copying files between two floppy diskettes, you will need to copy to the hard-drive first and then copy from the hard-drive to the second floppy diskette.

Copying Files: Copy and Paste Option

NOTE: Files copied through Windows Explorer cannot be pasted into files (e.g., a Microsoft Word document).

Select the file that you want to copy
From the Edit menu, select Copy
OR
Right click » select Copy
OR
Press [Ctrl] + [C]
Select the drive/folder where you want the new copy placed
From the Edit menu, select Paste
OR
Right click » select Paste
OR
Press [Ctrl] + [V]
If necessary, adjust the filename (refer to Renaming Files)

Copying Files: Drag and Drop Option

Locate the file that you want to copy
Adjust the Folders/Drive listing so you can see the new location for the file
If the new location is on a different drive (e.g., hard-drive to floppy), drag the file to the new location
If the new location is on the same drive (e.g., hard-drive to another location on hard-drive), hold down [Ctrl] and drag the file to the new location

Moving Files

Moving files is useful when you want to rearrange your files to create better file organization.

To move files, you can use a method similar to copying text. The process is similar if you are moving files to the hard-drive or to another floppy diskette.

Moving Files: Cut and Paste Option

Select the file that you want to move
From the Edit menu, select Cut
OR
Right click » select Cut
OR
Press [Ctrl] + [X]
Select the drive/folder that you want the file moved to
From the Edit menu, select Paste
OR
Right click » select Paste
OR
Press [Ctrl] + [V]
If necessary, adjust the filename (refer to Renaming Files)

Moving Files: Drag and Drop Option

Locate the file that you want to move
Adjust the Folders/Drive list so you can see the new location for the file
If the new location is on the same drive (e.g., hard-drive to another location on hard-drive), drag the file to the new location
If the new location is on a different drive (e.g., hard-drive to floppy), hold down [Shift] and drag the file to the new location

Renaming Files

Renaming Files: Menu Option

Select the file that you want to change the name of
From the File menu, select Rename
Type the new file name
Press [Enter]

Renaming Files: Mouse Option

Select the file that you want to change the name of
Click again on the filename
OR
Right click » select Rename
A box appears around the filename.
Type the new filename
Press [Enter]

Deleting Files

Deleting files is an easy way to free up space on your diskettes and disk drives. Any file that is no longer needed should be deleted. If you are deleting files from a floppy diskette, you need to make sure you are deleting the correct file. You will see a confirmation dialog box, but you cannot recover the file once it is deleted. If you are deleting files from the hard-drive, they are placed in the Recycle Bin and remain there until the Recycle Bin is emptied. You can recover files from the Recycle Bin before it is emptied.

Deleting Files: Menu Option

Select the file that you want to delete
From the File menu, select Delete
If you receive a confirmation dialog box, verify that the correct file is being deleted
To confirm, click YES
To cancel, click NO

Deleting Files: Keyboard Option

Select the file that you want to delete
Press [Delete]
If you receive a confirmation dialog box, verify that the correct file is being deleted
To confirm, click YES
To cancel, click NO

Restoring Files from the Recycle Bin

Files that are deleted from the hard drive are put into the Recycle Bin, where they will remain until the Recycle Bin is emptied—even if you turn off your computer. The following steps outline what you need to do to restore a file from the Recycle Bin. Using this procedure, the file will be restored to its original location. If you want to change the location, you can use the moving files procedure as described previously.

Restoring Files

WARNING: Restoring files from the Recycle Bin only works for files deleted from the hard-drive, not from a diskette or a server.

Open the Recycle Bin
Select the file to be restored
From the File menu, select Restore

Emptying the Bin

Open the Recycle Bin
From the File menu, select Empty Recycle Bin
A dialog box appears prompting you to confirm the deletion.
Respond appropriately