Utilizing Windows 7 File Management System

In its newest version of Windows, Windows 7, Microsoft has made several basic file-management enhancements. Some are apparent, while others can be tricky to find. Once you get accustomed to utilizing them, you’ll find them quite useful.

1: The New Folder and Preview Pane buttons

In Windows 7, you’ll find the New Folder button on the Windows Explorer toolbar. Click it and a new folder appears! On the right side of the toolbar, you’ll see the Preview Pane button, which allows you to quickly and easily toggle the Preview Pane.

2: Create a simulated dual-pane file manager

With a dual-pane interface, copying files from one folder or drive to another has become a breeze. Via Aero Snap, you can create a dual-pane file-manager simulation with four simple keystrokes:

• [Windows]+E
• [Windows]+[Left Arrow]
• [Windows]+E
• [Windows]+[Right Arrow]

Press and hold down the [Windows] key and then press E, [Left Arrow], E, [Right Arrow]. Once you have the two windows open, you can easily copy files from one folder or drive to another.

3: Customize the target in Windows Explorer

When you launch Windows Explorer from the Start menu in Windows 7, the default target is the Libraries folder. If you would prefer to have Windows Explorer open Computer, all you have to do is change the target.

1. Press [Windows] and Type windows explorer in the Search box
2. Right-click the first result
3. Select the Properties command.
4. In the Windows Explorer Properties dialog box, type the following command in the Target text box  and click OK:

%SystemRoot%\explorer.exe /root,::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}

4: Expand your navigation pane

Windows Explorer displays five sections in the navigation pane: Favorites, Libraries, Homegroup, Computer, and Network. This makes the navigation pane a straightforward tool, you may want to have easy access to other locations. To expand the number of items in the navigation pane, pull down the Organize menu and select the Folder And Search Options command. In the Folder Options dialog box, select the Show All Folders check box and click OK.

5: Track multimedia in Content View

A new setting in Windows 7 called Content View makes it easier to keep track of multimedia files — pictures, videos, music/MP3s. Content View displays one item per line with information about that item, such as date modified, size, author, and type.

Since Windows XP, first released August 2001, I would have to say that Windows 7, in all of its flavors, is Microsoft’s best desktop operating system to date. It’s clean, streamlined, smart, and efficient in using available resources, and best of all, it has an intuitive navigational workflow.