Is not the whole world a vast house of assignation of which the filing system has been lost? Quentin Crisp

Education might take as its foundation the three Rs (reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic), but for Windows 98, it's the three Fs: files, folders, and floppy (or fixed) disks. When you're not slaving away in your applications, you'll spend a good chunk of your Windows 98 life working with at least one of these "f-words."

This chapter covers two of those three topics: files and folder. I'll begin with a few basics for those who are new to Windows Explorer. From there, I'll head into some unabashed ringing of bells and blowing of whistles in Windows Explorer, followed by detailed looks at a few other Windows 98 tools, including Find and the Recycle Bin.

First, a Few File and Folder Fundamentals

If you're new to Windows or if you upgraded to Windows 98 from Windows 3.x, you need to spend some time with Windows Explorer so the two of you can get to know each other. After all, as a Windows power user, you'll find that Windows Explorer is one of the most indispensable tools in the Windows 98 package. To that end, this section gives you a quickie introduction to Windows Explorer and runs through a few basic techniques.

The first thing we need to get clear is that in Windows 98 the differences between Windows Explorer-the file management tool-and Internet Explorer-the Web browser-are blurred. That is, each program is capable of displaying both local resources (disks and folders) and remote resources (Web pages on an intranet or the Internet).

To demonstrate this, launch both programs and display drive C, as follows:

• For Windows Explorer, select Start I Programs I Windows Explorer. Figure 14.1 shows Windows Explorer displaying the contents of drive C.
• For Internet Explorer, click The Internet on the desktop or select Start I Programs I Internet Explorer I Internet Explorer. In the Address toolbar, type C: \ and press Enter. Figure 14.2 shows Internet Explorer displaying drive C.

Internet Explorer is useful for quick views of local folders and for simple file maintenance chores. However, Windows Explorer offers a more comprehensive and easily navigated view of your computer, and it also offers more file management tools. So this chapter focuses exclusively on Windows Explorer (which I'll refer to as just "Explorer" throughout the rest of this chapter).

FIGURE 14.1. Windows Explorer displaying the contents of drive C

FIGURE 14.2. The Internet Explorer Web browser can also display local resources, such as drive C shown here.

Exploring the Explorer Window

On the surface, Explorer's layout is reminiscent of File Manager. The window is split in two: On the left, Explorer's All Folders list is comparable to File Manager's directory tree, and on the right, Explorer's Contents list is basically the same as File Manager's contents list. There are, however, two significant differences between the two:

• File Manager's drive icons are gone. Instead, the All Folders list in Explorer includes disk drives (as well as a few other goodies, such as the Network Neighborhood).
• Explorer isn't a Multiple Document Interface (MDI) application. So, unlike with File Manager, you can't open multiple windows for different drives or folders. This sounds like a drawback, and it feels like one at first if you're used to the File Manager's way of doing things. But Explorer's All Folders list has some slick navigation options that render the lack of multiple window support moot. And, besides, if you really need to open a second window, you can always start a second copy of Explorer.

Navigating the All Folders List

The job of the All Folders list is to display (and let you work with) all the folders to which your system has access. Remember that the desktop is the main folder for your system. If you think of the desktop as a sort of "root" folder, it makes sense that Explorer shows a "Desktop" folder at the top of the All Folders list. From there, the Desktop folder's subfolders branch out in that multilevel, "upside-down tree" layout that you might be used to from File Manager.

The first "branch" is the My Computer folder. It shows, among a few other things, the various disk drives attached directly to your machine (either attached physically or attached via a network connection). Yes, this is the same My Computer folder that appears if you click My Computer on the desktop, but in a slightly different guise. Below My Computer, the Desktop folder's other first-level branches include a few more folders, depending on what's installed on your system. (At the very least, you see the My Documents and Recycle Bin folders.)

Navigating among the visible folders is straightforward: Either click a folder or use the up-arrow and down-arrow keys to move through the folders. Whenever you highlight a folder, its contents (subfolders and files) appear automatically in the Contents list.

Explorer's default All Folders list displays the subfolders for both My Computer and drive C. To open any other folders, either click the plus sign (+) to the left of the folder name, or highlight the folder and press the plus sign on the keyboard's numeric keypad. The plus sign then changes to a minus sign (-) to indicate an open branch. Closing a folder is just as easy: Either click the minus sign or highlight the folder and press the minus sign key on the numeric keypad.

Here's a summary of a few more techniques you can use to navigate folders:

• To display the parent of the current folder, either click the Up button in the toolbar or select Go I Up One Level.
• To return to the previous folder you viewed, either click the Back button or select Go I Back.
• To return to any previously viewed folder, click the Back button's arrow to drop down a list of the folders you've visited, as shown in Figure 14.3. Then click the folder you want to display.

FIGURE 14.3. Drop down the Back button's list to return to a previously viewed folder.

• After you've gone back to a folder, you can use the Forward button to head in the opposite direction. To move ahead to the next folder, either click the Forward button or select Go I Forward. You can also click the Forward button's arrow to see a list of folders.
• The File menu also keeps track of the last few folders you visited. To head for a recent folder, pull down the File menu and select one of the folder names that appear near the bottom of the menu.
• You can set up commonly accessed folders as "favorites." To do this, display the folder, select Favorites I Add to Favorites, and then click OK in the dialog box that appears. To navigate to that folder, pull down the Favorites menu and select the folder name. (Note, too, that in Windows 98 the Favorites folder is also available from the Start menu. See Chapter 35, "Exploring the Web with Internet Explorer," to learn more about the Favorites folder.)

Working with the Contents List

The job of the Contents list is to show you what's inside whatever folder is currently highlighted in the All Folders list. This means you see not only the files that the folder contains, but all its subfolders as well. When you first open Explorer, the Contents list shows the contents of drive C.

For example, Figure 14.4 shows the Contents list with the Windows folder highlighted. The first 30 or so items are subfolders (as evidenced by their folder icons), and the rest of the entries are files. (The icon that Explorer displays depends on the file and, in the case of documents, the program used to create the file.) Notice, too, that the status bar supplies you with a few tidbits of information:

• The number of objects (subfolders and files) in the folder
• The number of hidden objects
• The number of megabytes used by the files (this value doesn't count the files in the subfolders)
• The amount of free space left on the drive

FIGURE 14.4. The contents of the Windows folder.

Are you wondering why most of the files in Figure 14.4 don't have an extension? That's because, by default, Explorer hides the extensions for file types that are "registered" with Windows 98 (which is similar to the file associations you might have worked with in File Manager). For example, BMP files are registered (associated) with the Paint accessory. So instead of showing the .BMP extension, Explorer displays each BMP file with the Paint program's icon. In Figure 14.4, take a look at the files named Black Thatch, Blue Rivets, and Bubbles (BMP files all) to see what I mean.

Selecting Multiple Files and Folders

If you need to work with multiple files or folders (which, to save some verbiage, I'll just cal objects throughout this chapter), Explorer has various techniques you can exploit.

With the mouse, you can use three methods to select multiple objects (note that all these techniques apply to the Contents list only):

• To select noncontiguous objects, hold down the Ctrl key while you select each object.
• To select contiguous objects, select the first object, hold down the Shift key, and select the last object.
• You can also select a group of objects by "boxing" them with the mouse. Move the mouse pointer to the right of the first object's name (make sure that it's not over the object's name or icon) and then drag the mouse down and to the left. As you're dragging, Explorer displays a dotted-line box, and every object that falls at least partially within that box gets highlighted. When all the objects you need are highlighted, release the mouse button.

Here's how to select multiple objects from the keyboard (press Tab and Shift+Tab to move between panes):

• To select every object in the current folder, either run the Edit I Select All command or press Ctrl+A.
• To select noncontiguous objects, use the arrow keys to highlight the first object and then hold down Ctrl. For each of the other objects you want to select, use the arrow keys to highlight the object (actually, it's not a true highlight, just a dotted-line box) and then press the Spacebar. When you're done, release Ctrl.
• To select contiguous objects, highlight the first object, hold down Shift, and use the arrow keys to highlight the other objects.

Copying Files and Folders

One of the things that often has former Windows 3.x people scratching their heads when they start using Explorer is that the File menu has no Copy command (as it did in File Manager). Instead, in keeping with Windows 98's OLE-centric architecture, you copy files and folders by using a copy-and-paste technique, as though the object were a chunk of data (which is exactly how OLE views a file). That is, you make a copy of an object by copying it to the Clipboard, selecting the destination, and pasting the object from the Clipboard.

Given this background, it makes more sense then that the Copy command is on Explorer's Edit menu. Here's how to copy an object:

1. Select the object or objects you want to copy.

2. Run the Edit I Copy command.

3. Move to the destination folder.

4. Select Edit I Paste.

Moving Files and Folders

Moving an object is similar to copying it. In this case, though, you "cut" the object to the Clipboard and paste it to the destination folder:

1. Select the object or objects you want to move.

2. Run the Edit I Cut command.

3. Move to the destination folder.

4. Select Edit I Paste.

Copying and Moving with Drag-and-Drop

For most copy and move operations, you might find that using the mouse to drag the selected objects to their destination folder is much easier. First make sure that the destination folder is available in Explorer's All Folders list. (In other words, if the destination folder is a subfolder, open its parent folder so that the destination is visible.) Select the objects you want to copy or move and then use the All Folders list to bring the destination folder into view. (Be sure to use the All Folders list's scroll bars to do this; otherwise, your objects will no longer be selected.)

Depending on whether you want' to copy or to move the objects, you might need to hold down a key before you start dragging:

• If you're dragging the objects to a folder on the same drive, Explorer assumes that you're moving the objects. To make Explorer copy the objects, hold down Ctrl while dragging. (When you're copying an object, Explorer appends a small plus sign (+) to the mouse pointer.)
•  If you're dragging the objects to a folder on a different drive, Explorer assumes that you're copying the objects. To make Explorer move the objects, hold down Shift while dragging.
• If you're dragging an executable file, Explorer assumes that you want to create a shortcut. To copy the file, hold down Ctrl; to move the file, hold down Shift. (Explorer signifies that it will create a shortcut by appending a small box with an arrow inside it to the mouse pointer.)

Hold down the appropriate key (if any), drag the objects to the destination folder, and drop them.

Renaming Files and Folders

One of Windows 98's nice features is that you can rename objects "in place." In other words, instead of using some sort of "Rename" dialog box (as with File Manager), you just edit the file or folder name directly. To try this, select the object and then select File I Rename.

Explorer creates a text box around the object's name, complete with insertion_point cursor. You can then use the standard text box techniques (arrow keys, Backspace, Delete, and so on) to edit the name. When you're done, press Enter.

Deleting Files and Folders

Deleting objects you no longer need is easy: Just highlight the objects and then select File I Delete. When Windows 98 asks you to confirm the deletion, click Yes.

Exploiting Explorer:
Shortcut Keys, Customizations, and More

These basic techniques will serve you well in most of your Explorer expeditions, but they represent only the tiniest fraction of what Explorer can do. To help you unleash the true power of Explorer, this section takes a more in-depth look at the program, tells you what options are available, and runs through some techniques that will enable you to exploit Explorer's most valuable resources.

The Expedited Explorer

If your job requires working with a computer regularly, chances are you don't make your living performing file maintenance and management tasks. Instead, your computer productivity is more likely measured by how many memos, letters, spreadsheets, databases, presentations, or graphics you crank out in a day. Because unglamorous file chores usually do little to enhance this core productivity, you want to get them over with as soon as possible so that you can get back to doing some real work. To that end, the next few sections show you a few tools and techniques that will help put file finagling in the fast lane.

The Economical Explorer Keyboard

If you don't feel like reaching all the way over to your mouse, or if you're just an old keyboard die-hard like me, you'll be happy to know that there's no shortage of keyboard time-savers for Explorer. Table 14.1 lists them all.

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WINDOWS KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

If you have a Windows Keyboard the Windows logo key () gives you two Explorer-related shortcuts: Press+E to start Explorer; press +F to display the Find dialog box.

Customizing Explorer's Folder Options

The Windows 98 version of Explorer is quite a bit more "customizable" than its Windows 95 predecessor. To view the available customization options, select View I Folder Options and then activate the View tab in the Folder Options dialog box (see Figure 14.6) that appears.

FIGURE 14.6. Use the Folder Options dialog box to set up Explorer to suit your taste.

Sorting Files and Folders

By default, Explorer arranges the objects in the Contents list in ascending alphabetical order, with folders first, followed by files. To change this sort order, select View I Arrange Icons or right-click an empty part of the Contents list and click Arrange Icons in the context menu. The cascade menu that appears gives you five choices:

by Name: This is the default sort order.

by Type: This option sorts the objects in ascending alphabetical order by file type, with folders first.

by Size: This option sorts the objects in ascending numerical order by file size, with folders first.

by Date: This option sorts the objects in ascending order by the last modified date, with folders first.

Auto Arrange: When activated, this command sorts the objects automatically if you move them, add new objects, or resize the window. This command is available only in the Large Icons and Small Icons views.

Notice that each of these commands sorts the objects only in ascending order. What if you'd prefer a descending sort? For example, you might want to sort the objects by last modified date in descending order to show the most recently modified files at the top of the list.

To do this, you need to put Explorer in Details view. As shown in Figure 14.7, Details view displays column headings at the top of the Contents list: Name, Size, Type, and Modified. To sort the objects on a particular column, click the column's heading. For example, clicking the Size heading sorts the objects in ascending order by file size. How do you get a descending sort? Just click the same column heading again.

FIGURE 14.7. Use the column headings in Details view to sort the Contents list.

Working with the Details View Columns

When working in Details view, mouse users get a couple of bonus customization techniques: To rearrange the columns, drag the column headings left or right.

To adjust the width of a column, point the mouse at the right edge of the column's heading. The pointer will change to a two_headed arrow. Now drag the pointer left (to get a narrower column) or right (to get a wider column).

Drag-and-Drop Revisited

Explorer's cut-and paste (or copy-and-paste) file management metaphor takes getting used to, but it makes sense after a while.  Still, in most cases. it's usually faster to drag and object from one location and drop it on another.  Explorer's drag-and-drop rules can be confusing, however, so table 14.2 runs through them one more time for good measure.

Table 14.2 Explorer's default drag-and-drop behavior.
Operation	Mouse Pointer While Dragging	Comments
Copy		If the source and destination folders are on the same disk, Explorer copies the object.
Move		If the source and destination folders are on different disks, Explorer moves the object.
Executable file		If the object is an executable file, Explorer creates a shortcut in the destination folder.

You can also force Explorer to copy or move an object or to create a shortcut for any object:

• Hold down Ctrl while you drop the object to force a copy operation.
• Hold down Shift while you drop the object to force a move operation.

If you don't feel like memorizing any of this information, you can perform a special drag instead. In this case, you use the right mouse button to drag the object. When you drop it on the destination folder, Explorer displays the context menu shown in Figure 14.8 (the default action is shown in bold). Now just click the action you want.

FIGURE 14.8. If you right-drag an object, Explorer displays this context menu when you drop the object on its destination.

Here are a few drag-and-drop tidbits that should make your object copying and moving a bit easier:

• Don't forget that you can cancel a drag at any time by pressing Esc.
• It's possible to drag and scroll at the same time. For example, what do you do if you drag an object into the All Folders list and then realize you can't see the destination folder? Instead of canceling, drag the object to either the top or the bottom of the All Folders list (depending on where the destination folder is). Explorer either scrolls the folders down (if you're at the top of the pane) or scrolls the folders up (if you're at the bottom of the pane).
• Windows 98's Explorer also enables you to open folder branches in mid-drag.
• To open a branch, drag the file over to the branch to highlight it. After a 98 couple of seconds, Explorer opens the branch.
• Unlike File Manager, Explorer doesn't let you open two child windows and drag between them. The All Folders list is quite flexible, so you shouldn't need to use multiple windows for drag_and_drop. If you feel more comfortable doing it that way, however, feel free to start a second copy of Explorer and arrange them side_by_side.
• One handy feature that's missing from Windows 98 is the capability of dragging an object onto the taskbar. You get the next best thing, however. If you have a folder window minimized on the taskbar, you can drag an object from Explorer and then let the mouse pointer hover over the folder window's taskbar button for a couple of seconds. Windows 98 then opens the folder window so that you can drop the object into the folder.