What is Windows Explorer?

There are many different ways to do the same thing on a computer. You can use the mouse to pull down menus, or you can use shortcut keys to do the same thing. You can open a drive (for instance a floppy A: or C:) by double clicking the appropriate folder or you can access file and folders through Windows Explorer.

This application is part of the operating system and can be accessed from the Start Button. To access Windows Explorer right-click the Start Button. It helps you manage the folders, files and disks on your computer or network. While My Computer and Network Neighborhood use icons and overlapping windows on the desktop, Windows Explorer uses a single window with a dual-paned hierarchical view of your computer's resources.

When you click on a folder in the left pane, the contents appears in the right pane. The graphic below shows the C: drive in the left pane selected -- so the contents of the C: Drive are seen in the right pane.

On a disk, there is only one area for storing files, the root directory. From the root directory, you create additional storage areas called folders. Think of the root directory as a drawer or folder in the cabinet. You can create folders within folders.

What is Windows Help?