Navigate Windows and Folders

To simplify the way you work with files on your computer, Windows uses a hierarchical storage system to organize information on your computer in a way similar to the way you would organize information in an To simplify the way you work with files on your computer, Windows uses a hierarchical storage system to organize infoffice. Instead of organizing pieces of paper in cardboard folders in filing cabinets, you organize electronic files in electronic folders on the storage disks accessible to your computer.

You use Windows Explorer to look at the folders and files stored on your computer. With earlier versions of Windows, the Windows Explorer window could display the contents of only one folder at a time. With Windows 7, you can look at the contents of multiple folders in one window, by adding the folders to a library. This new feature allows you to easily access files while still maintaining an organizational system.

No matter how organized you are and how skillful you become at working with libraries, sometimes you might not remember where you stored a particular file. No problem! Windows 7 includes powerful search features that can help you almost instantly locate files and other information on your computer. In this tutorial, you'll first learn how to size, arrange, hide, and otherwise manage windows on your desktop. You'll learn about the standard file storage structure Windows 7 uses, and about the types of files you'll find on your Windows 7 computer. Then you'll explore the Windows 7 file storage structure. You'll also experiment with searching for files by using the different search methods that are available.