File Explorer is one of the key elements of Windows 10. This graphical interface is useful to find files and folders in different drives. You can access different documents, images, videos, office documents stored on your pc or laptop.
The latest version of Windows 10 is 1909. Since each version, there have been improvements over the interface. You can see different tabs on the main window. Share your files through email and other means. Folder size and properties can also be seen with ease.
By default, File Explorer is pinned to the Taskbar. You can click it to open. Another way to open it is to press the Win key and type few letters of “File Explorer”. Click the item from the list.
File Explorer – Ribbon Interface
There are 3 tabs in File Explorer. They are – 1. Home 2. Share 3. View.
Each tab is divided into groups of related commands.
Home
- Clipboard
- Organize
- New
- Open
- Select
You can do several things with each group. Several functions can be done using Clipboard. These are –
- Pinto Quick access
- Copy
- Paste
- Cut
- Copy path
- Paste shortcut
Organize
The following commands can be implemented.
- Move to
- Copy to
- Delete
- Rename
New
You can create several things.
- New folder
- New item
- Easy access
The following new items can be created
- Folder
- Shortcut
- Bitmap image
- Microsoft Word Document
- Microsoft PowerPoint presentation
- Microsoft Publisher Document
- Text Document
- Microsoft Excel Worksheet
- Compressed (zipped) folder
Open
- Select any file or folder and click on “Properties”. You can see detailed statistics for that item. The “Properties” window will open. You can see several details like name, item type, folder path, date created, date modified, size, etc of that file or folder. General details like location, the size on disk, an attribute can also be seen. You will know whether the file is read-only or hidden. You can also block the file for security reasons. Permissions for different users can also be seen here.
- You can also remove the properties if required.
- You can choose to open with different kinds of apps.
- File History can also be seen here if it’s turned on.
The “Select” set of commands is the following.
- Select all files or invert the selection.
- You can also undo your selection by clicking “Select none”.
Share
In this tab, you see two main commands.
- Send
- Share with
You can share your files or folders with different contacts stored on your Windows 10 and apps. Add any new app for Microsoft Store. These include apps like Skype, Mail, Snip & Sketch, etc. Email your photos with the desired size and Outlook. Zip your folder or file in .zip format.
You can also burn your files or folders to disc. Print your files and photos. Fax them to whomever you are interested in.
Share with can be used to share your files and folders with your friends or contacts. When required, you can remove access. Advanced security helps in editing permissions given to your contacts. Access can be modified to Full control, read & execute, etc.
File Explorer can also be used as an FTP window. This can be used to transfer files between mobile and desktop. If you host your email with different hosting, you can also transfer them.
View
In this tab the following commands are available.
- Panes
- Layout
- Current view
- Show/hide
Under the navigation page, you can show all folders and libraries. Preview and Details pane is also available. When you click preview pane, you can see a preview of your photo. It is typically useful for image files. Details pane will give more details of the file like dimensions, size, date created, etc.
Files can be viewed in different formats like –
- Extra-large icons
- Small icons
- Tiles
- Large icons
- List
- Content
- Medium icons
- Details
You can sort the current view using different filter items like –
- Date
- Type
- Size
- Tags
- Date modified
- Date created
- Date has taken
- Dimensions
- Rating
In ascending or descending order.
You can group all files by the above filters. Add more columns like date modified, dimensions, etc. You can then sort your files based on the date. This will help to know which are the recent files and folders. For the view to be perfect, you can fit all columns in the current view.
You can enable the following checkboxes.
- Item checkboxes
- Filename extensions
- Hidden items
This will show file extensions and hidden items if checked. You can also change folder size and options here.
Picture Tools and Search
You can search for any file or folder in the text box on the right-hand side. This will create a new tab. Then the ribbon interface will have something like – Location, Refine and Options.
You can search your pc or different subfolders. Search criteria can be set based on different dates, size, and other properties. You can save a search and have advanced options.
Picture Tools will let you rotate your picture left or right. You can have a slide show. You can also set your picture as a background.