Jake's Tech Talk Hard Drive Management

How do I make a new directory?

What we used to call a directory is now called a folder in Windows 95/98. You can create folders in your hard drive space to hold groups of related files, or on the desktop to hold a group of shortcuts.

To create a new folder in the hard drive, use either My Computer or Windows Explorer to open the drive. Browse to the area where you want a new folder, then right click in an open area, select New, Folder, and enter a name for the folder.

To create a new folder on the desktop, simply right click in an open area, select New, Folder, and enter a name for the folder.

How do I rename a folder?

In either My Computer or Explorer, right click on the folder, select Rename, and enter the new name. You may edit the existing name, also.

Alternately, you can point the mouse cursor at the folder name, and click once. The folder name will become highlighted, and can then be edited or replaced.

How do I remove a folder?

First, be a little cautious with this until you get the hang of it. You can remove a folder AND its contents by simply clicking once on the folder, and hitting the delete key. You can also right click on the folder, and then select Delete with the mouse. For folders not on the desktop, follow the same procedure after starting My Computer or Explorer.

How do I rename a file?

This is done in exactly the same manner as renaming a folder, except that you select only a single file from the list in My Computer or Explorer.

How do I copy or move a file?

This is where the Windows Explorer really shines. Windows Explorer allows you to mark single or multiple files, and drag them to a destination folder. If you drag to a destination on the same drive, the files will be moved. If you drag to a destination on a different drive, the files will be copied. You can force a copy by holding down the CTRL key along with the drag. Holding down the SHIFT key will force a move.

Alternatively, you can use the pull-down menus to Cut or Copy marked files, navigate to the destination, then selecting Paste to complete the copy or move.

How do I delete a file?

Click once on the file name to highlight it, and hit the delete key. Or right click on the file name, and select Delete. Or use the pull-down File menu to select Delete.

Uh - oh. How do I undelete that file?

A new feature in Windows 95/98 makes this much simpler than before. On the desktop, double-click on the Recycle Bin. Any recently deleted files end up here first. Find the file name you want to restore, highlight it, and click File, Restore.

By right-clicking on the Recycle Bin, you have the option to empty it. Until the Recycle Bin is emptied, the space allocated for any deleted files is still marked used. After emptying, the space is freed for use by new or modified files.

What about these navigation tools you keep talking about?

My Computer is found on the Windows 95/98 desktop as part of a typical installation. It allows you to look over your computer system in general, and includes icons representing all your system's disk drives. It also has icons for the Control Panel; a group of icons for system configuration, and for your Printers.

Windows Explorer has a split window showing folders on one side and files on the other. You can access Windows Explorer by using the shortcut icon on the desktop in most of our systems, or by clicking on Start, Programs, Windows Explorer.

Where's the C:\ Prompt?

Hidden away. You don't need it anymore. Windows 95/98 is actually an operating system, rather than a program that runs under another operating system. When you boot up your computer to Windows 95/98, you ARE at the main event. However, for you hard-core command line enthusiasts (much like myself), you can get to a C:\ prompt by clicking on Start, Programs, MS-DOS Prompt. When done, enter EXIT to return to Windows 95/98. 

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