Lesson 3: Working with Files Show
/en/windowsbasics/navigating-windows/content/ Working with filesUnderstanding 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. 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. File ExplorerYou 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. From File Explorer, double-click a folder to open it. You can then see all of the files stored in that folder. Notice that you can also see the location of a folder in the address bar near the top of the window. To open a file:There are two main ways to open a file:
Moving and deleting filesAs 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.
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:
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.
You can also
right-click the folder and select Rename from the menu that appears. 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.
Note that deleting a folder will also delete all of the files within that folder. Selecting multiple filesNow that you know the basics, here are a few tips to help you move your files even faster. Selecting more than one fileThere are a few ways to select more than one file at a time:
Selecting all filesIf you want to select all files in a folder at the same time, open the folder in File Explorer and press Ctrl+A (press and hold the Control key on your keyboard, then press A). All of the
files in the folder will be selected. Ctrl+A is an example of a keyboard shortcut. We'll talk more about these in our lesson on Keyboard Shortcuts in Windows. If working with files and folders feels a little tricky right now, don't worry! Like anything else, working with files and folders is largely a matter of practice. You'll start to feel more comfortable as you continue using your computer. In the next lesson, we'll talk about another important concept: how to find files on your computer that you can't easily locate. ShortcutsIf you have a file or folder you use frequently, you can save time by creating a shortcut on the desktop. Instead of navigating to the file or folder each time you want to use it, you can simply double-click the shortcut to open it. A shortcut will have a small arrow in the lower-left corner of the icon. Note that creating a shortcut does not create a duplicate copy of the folder; it's simply a way to access the folder more quickly. If you delete a shortcut, it will not delete the actual folder or the files it contains. Also note that copying a shortcut onto a flash drive will not work; if you want to bring a file with you, you'll need to navigate to the actual location of the file and copy it to the flash drive. To create a shortcut:
You can also hold the Alt key on your keyboard, then click and drag the folder to the desktop to create a shortcut. /en/windowsbasics/finding-files-on-your-computer/content/ How is streaming a multimedia file different from downloading a multimedia file?Streaming is where a device constantly receives data to watch videos or listen to audio without acquiring the physical media file, whereas Downloading uses data to make a copy of a file from one location, such as a remote server, and save it locally to a connected device.
Is downloading and watching the same?When you watch a programme online, either live or on demand, this is known as streaming. Downloading is saving the programme to your device temporarily and watching it when you're not connected to the internet.
Can you access streaming media while it downloads?Downloading and Streaming Are Functionally the Same
If you access a downloaded file later, you do not have to use more mobile data to play it. However, if you choose to stream a file again, you will have to download the information again (and again every time you choose to access it).
What is streaming media and how does it work?With streaming media, a user does not have to download an entire audio or video file to play it. Instead, the file is sent in a continuous stream of data to the user's device so it can play as it arrives in real time or near real time.
What do they mean by streaming?The term streaming refers to the continual transmission of audio and video files from a server to a client. In video streams, content is sent in a compressed form over the internet and is displayed by the viewer in real time. The media is sent in a continuous stream of data and is played as it arrives.
What technology is used for video streaming?MMS(Microsoft Media Server) is also utilized for video streaming. The video stream is compressed using a video codec such as H. 264 or VP8. The audio stream is compressed using an audio codec such as MP3, Vorbis or AAC.
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