Document number: 69051

 

You can use Windows Explorer or My Computer to manage and use the files and folders on your computer as well as navigate mapped network drives. This document provides tips on customizing the displays for these tools.  For tips on moving, copying, and deleting files, and organizing those files in folders see document 69050 — Tips on files and folders.  There are some very significant differences between Windows NT4 and Windows 2000 in performance and available options.  For example, in Windows NT4 My Computer and Windows Explorer are not completely interchangeable.  In Windows 2000 the two are completely interchangable, everything that can be done in Windows Explorer can also be done in My Computer.

Select the link for tips on that task. To search this document press { Ctrl}+{ f} or from the menu bar select E dit, then F ind (on this page)....

• Open Windows Explorer.

• Open My Computer

• Customize what you see in Windows Explorer or My Computer.

• File list style.

• Hidden files.

• File extensions.

• Navigate the file displays.

• Put a Windows Explorer shortcut on your desktop. (document 69021)

• Get Windows Explorer to open in selected folder. (document 69012)

• Make Windows Explorer launch on boot up. (document 69013)

 

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OpenWindows Explorer

There are several different locations where you might find Windows Explorer, but there is one location where you will always find it.

1. Put your cursor on the Start button and right click.

2. Select E xplore

 

In Windows 2000 Windows Explorer is also found by going to

1. Click on the Start button, then on Programs, then select Accessories.

2. Click on Windows Explorer.

 

 

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Opening My Computer 

My Computer is an icon found on the desktop. Double click on the icon to open it.

 

In Windows 2000 My Computer can be configured to give either  a single panel view or a double panel view.  It is in all ways identical to Windows Explorer, but each can be configured with different view options.

 

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Customize what you see in Windows Explorer or My Computer .

You can customize the following features:

Panes - In Windows 2000 you can choose whether the view has two panes (overview on the left and focus on the right) or only a single pane.

File list style.

Views - whether you see large, small or no icons. To do this:

• In My Computer, click on View.
• Choose the view style you want.

In Windows 2000 you have to choose to apply it to all folders. To do this:

• In My Computer, click on Tools.
• Select Folder Options ...
• Click on the View tab
• Click on the button Like Current Folder.

All folders will be set to use the same view you selected.

 

File extensions.

File types - whether you see the full file name or whether common extension are hidden. For example the full file name for Windows Explorer would be shown as Explorer.exe. If common extensions are hidden it would be shown only as Explorer.

To do this for Windows 2000:

• In My Computer, click on Tools.
• Select Folder Options ...
• Click on the View tab.
• Under the Files and Folders section, m ake the desired change to Hide file extensions for known file types

 

Hidden files.

View hidden files in Windows 2000. To do this:

• In My Computer, click on Tools.
• Click on Folder Options.
• Click on the View tab.
• Under the Files and Folders section, look for the Hidden files and folders section.
• If the section is collapsed, double-click on the folder icon to expand the section.
• Click on the field next to Show hidden files and folders.

• You should be able to see the folder now.

InWindows 2000 the default display style is large icons in a single paned window:

In Windows 2000 clicking on the Folders button on the tool bar splits the window into 2 panes - folders on the left, and the contents of the selected folder on the right.

 

 

In Windows 2000 drives are mapped from the Tools menu.

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Navigating the file displays.

How to expand the view of a drive or folder in Windows Explorer
To expand the view of a drive or folder in Windows Explorer:
Click on the Start menu and select Programs and then Windows Explorer at the top portion of the Programs menu.
Double-click the drive name or folder. The names of all the folders and files will appear in the right-side pane.

 

 

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Create new folders to organize files.

1. Open Explorer.

2. Click on the directory in which you want to create a new folder.

3. Click on the File menu and select New and then on Folder.

4. 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.

 

 

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How to change the font used in Explorer

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Properties from the pop-up menu.

2. Click on the Appearance tab.

3. From the Item: drop-down list select Icon.

4. In the Font: field, select the font you would like to use.

5. The fonts used in Explorer will be changed as you have chosen.

6. Note: This font choice will effect the title under your desktop items as well as the display of Explorer.

Return to selection list.

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Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 2000 All rights reserved.
Created: db 03/30/2000