A Quick Introduction to Windows’ Default Folders

So, you're used to Apple technology but now you've got a Windows computer for work. We get it. Since most companies use Windows, we've been dropping some guides to help you get the hang of it. This time, we're diving into the File Explorer; basically, how you find anything on your PC.

If you want to get up to speed on other Windows features, check out our other posts under the Learning Windows tag.

What is File Explorer?

Think of File Explorer as the Windows version of Finder on a Mac. It's how you get to all the documents, photos, and whatever else you have saved on your computer or the company network.

File Explorer has a few handy ways to get you where you need to go:

• Quick access - This is your shortcut to folders and files you've used recently. You can also pin your most important stuff there. Just right-click what you want to pin and hit Pin to Quick access.
• Desktop - See everything you've saved to your desktop right here.
• Documents - This is where all your saved documents live, organized into whatever folders you've made.
• Pictures - This is where your saved pictures are.
• This PC - Check out what's plugged into your computer, like a flash drive or your phone.

You can totally change how File Explorer looks to fit your vibe. Click the View tab to switch up how your files are shown. Need to add a new folder or file? Just hit the New button. To copy and paste, just right-click, choose Copy, and then Paste it wherever you want the new one to go. You can also easily zip up files or folders by selecting what you want, right-clicking, and choosing Compress to Zip file.

Honestly, once you get past these small differences, File Explorer and Finder are pretty much the same. If you're a Mac user, you should be able to figure out the Windows setup at your job without too much of a headache.

We're Here if You Get Stuck

Our team helps businesses and their employees get the most out of their tech, and we'd be happy to do the same for you. If you're running into any issues, give us a call at (703) 743-3056 and we can figure it out together.