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How to order and manage your files or folders on Windows File Explorer
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Published onOctober 25, 2022
published onOctober 25, 2022
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TheFile Explorer, sometimes also known as Windows Explorer, is the Windows GUI that helps you access, edit, and manage your data, files, or other folders—all from a single place.
Interestingly, most users who have probably never looked it up formally, nevertheless have some vague idea of what it is and how it works. However, what most people are unaware of is how to make the most of the Explorer app. In this article, we’ve tried to tackle that. So, let’s get started.
1. Change the default home screen
When you launch File Explorer, you’ll quickly see that it’s set toQuick Access Viewby default. Although it’s just the perfect setting for some, everyone’s not a fan.
Luckily, you change this default look on your Windows 10 or 11 computer with only a few clicks, and set the default view to theHome Screeninstead. Here’s how:
If you’re on Windows 11, click on the ellipses option from the top taskbar of your PC and selectOptionsfrom there. From there, select the toggle option forOpen File Explorer, and pickThis PC. Finally, click onOKto save the settings.
Restart the File Explorer and you’ll find that the default view has been changed.
2. Manage the View
By default, the File Explorer arranges your files and folders in theDetailsformat. However, you can change this setting without much hassle.
Just head to theViewoption from the top, and select the settings you’d like to use. You have a host of arrangements to pick from:Large icons,Small icons,List,Tiles, and so on. Moreover, if you click on theShow, you’ll also get to pick from different pane settings to select from.
You have three primary options: Navigation pane, Details pane, and Preview pane. You can try them all out and select the setting that suits you best.
3. Checkboxes, extensions, and hidden items…
Let’s stick with theViewoption from above. Interestingly, apart from helping you fiddle with icons and the display in general, you’ll see that the app also gives you the feature to manage your extensions on your PC.
On theViewtab, click onShowand selectFile name extensions. This way, you can choose if you’d like File Explorer to disable file extensions along with the files. Also, you can enable check boxes for every individual file, making it easier to copy, cut or delete your files and folders. And last but not least, you also have the option to make all hidden files available that you might have on your PC.
4. The Filter feature
Wouldn’t it be better to remove specific files and deal only with the ones you currently want to? Luckily, with the Filter feature, you can.
To use this feature, click on theFiltericon at the top, and select the file you’d like to remove from your File Explorer. As you can see below, you have a wide variety of options to pick from:Word,Excel,PowerPoint,Images,Videos, and so on.
Pick one file format from above. As soon as you do, all the files of the specific format will be filtered out of Explorer.
Managing your files or folders on Windows
The Windows File Explorer makes ordering and managing your files and folders a cakewalk.
If you’re a Windows user who has been using Windows for a few years now, then most of these features won’t surprise you. However, for those still new to navigating the world of Windows, we’ve covered many guides before that can help youtweak your Windows settings with relative ease.
Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).
For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.
Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.
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Radu Tyrsina
