Managing files and folders: move, copy, rename, delete
You can use Windows Explorer or My Computer to manage and use the files and folders on your computer. This document will provide tips on moving, copying, and deleting files, and organizing those files in folders. If you have never used Windows Explorer or My Computer before or don't know where to find it see document 69051 — Windows Explorer and My Computer Tips. In Windows 2000 My Computer and Windows Explorer are virtually identical. In Windows NT4 Windows NT Explorer and My Computer have a few differences (e.g. there is no Tools menu in the Windows NT 4 version of My Computer).
Select the link for tips on that task.
Look for files or folders. (document 69052)
Change how files are displayed. (document 69051) (E.g. if you can't see certain types of files or you want to increase or decrease the details displayed, or the display style)
Turn on or off the confirm file delete prompt. (document 69049)
Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
Find the file(s) you want to delete. Click once on a file to select it.
To select a group of files all in a row click once on the first file, then hold down the { Shift} key, find the last file in the group and click once on it. That will select all the files in the least between the first one that you clicked on and the last one you clicked on.
To select multiple files that are not all together hold down the { Ctrl} key then click just once on each file you want to select. If you accidentally click on a file you can unselect it by clicking once on it again.
To select all the files in the folder (including all the subfolders and their files) click once on any file to be sure the files selction is active, hold down the the { Ctrl} key and press the letter a. If you want to then unselect a file or folder but leave the rest selected hold down the { Ctrl} key and click on the file or folder you want to unselect.
To delete the selected files either
Click on the File menu, and select Delete, or
Press the { Delete} key on your keyboard, or
Put your mouse pointer on any of the selected files. Press the left mouse button down and hold it down. While holding down the left mouse button drag the files or folders to the Recycle Bin icon on your Windows desktop.
Note: Even if you drag them to the Recycle Bin files that originate on network drives are
not saved in the Recycle Bin. Only
local files are saved in the Recycle Bin until you choose to permanently delete them.
If you choose the first two ways of deleting you will get a message confirming your intent to delete the files. If you intended to delete them select Yes. If you choose to drag the files directly to the Recycle Bin you will not get a confirmation message for files that are local to your machine.
Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
Find the file(s) you want to copy. Click once on a file to select it.
To select a group of files all in a row click once on the first file, then hold down the { Shift} key, find the last file in the group and click once on it. That will select all the files in the least between the first one that you clicked on and the last one you clicked on.
To select multiple files that are not all together hold down the { Ctrl} key then click just once on each file you want to select. If you accidentally click on a file you can unselect it by clicking once on it again.
To select all the files in the folder (including all the subfolders and their files) click once on any file to be sure the files selction is active, hold down the the { Ctrl} key and press the letter a. If you want to then unselect a file or folder but leave the rest selected hold down the { Ctrl} key and click on the file or folder you want to unselect.
To copy the selected files either use the menu method (least likely to make a mistake) or the drag and drop method (quick).
Menu Method:
Click on the Edit menu and select Copy
Click the folder in the Folders window (the left pane) where you want to copy the files or folders, or click on the Windows desktop if you wish to copy the files or folders to the desktop
Click on the Edit menu and select Paste.
Drag and drop method:
Put your mouse pointer on any of the selected files.
Press the left mouse button down and hold it down. While holding down the left mouse button drag the files or folders to the folder in the Folders window (the left pane) where you want to copy the files or folders.
Release the mouse button.
Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
Find the file(s) you want to move. Click once on a file to select it.
To select a group of files all in a row click once on the first file, then hold down the { Shift} key, find the last file in the group and click once on it. That will select all the files in the least between the first one that you clicked on and the last one you clicked on.
To select multiple files that are not all together hold down the { Ctrl} key then click just once on each file you want to select. If you accidentally click on a file you can unselect it by clicking once on it again.
To select all the files in the folder (including all the subfolders and their files) click once on any file to be sure the files selction is active, hold down the the { Ctrl} key and press the letter a. If you want to then unselect a file or folder but leave the rest selected hold down the { Ctrl} key and click on the file or folder you want to unselect.
To move the selected files either use the menu method (least likely to make a mistake) or the drag and drop method (quick).
Menu Method:
Click on the Edit menu and select Cu t
Click the folder in the Folders window (the left pane) where you want to move the files or folders, or click on the Windows desktop if you wish to move the files or folders to the desktop
Click on the Edit menu and select Paste.
Drag and drop method:
Hold down the { Shift} key. Put your mouse pointer on any of the selected files.
While holding down the { Shift} key, press the left mouse button down and hold it down. (You can release the shift key if you want).
While holding down the left mouse button drag the files or folders to the folder in the Folders window (the left pane) where you want to copy the files or folders.
Release the mouse button.
Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
Find the file you want to rename. Click once on a file to select it.
With your pointer on the file click the right mouse button once.
From the menu select Rena me.
Type a new name for the file, then press { Enter}.
Create new folders to organize files.
Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
Click on the directory in which you want to create a new folder.
Click on the File menu and select Ne w and then on Folder. (If you don't see the " Ne w" selection doubleclick the drive letter to make sure you are viewing folders, not drives).
A new folder will be created in the directory. Your cursor will be on that folder. Type a name for the folder and press { Enter} to save your changes.
To open a file into an application from Windows Explorer:
Open Windows Explorer or My Computer.
Find the file you want to open.
Double-click the file to open it. If you prompted to choose a program to open the file, choose an application to open the file with.
If you do not want to permanently associate this type of file with a particular application, be sure to remove the check mark from the Always use this program to open this file box.
Your file will launch in the application associated with it. For more information about file associations, see document 69015 — How to setup and modify file associations.
Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 2000
All rights reserved.
Created: db 03/30/2000