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Rename
Multiple Files |
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It is possible to rename multiple file all at once. In Windows
Explorer, select the files that you wish to rename by holding down the CTRL
key and single clicking each file. Once they are all highlighted, right
click the first file and select "Rename" from the resulting menu. Once you
have entered the new name into the text box, single click outside of the
text box and all of the other files will follow suit. [Top] |
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Choose Hibernate from Shutdown
Dialog |
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If you would like to Hibernate your computer instead of
selecting the default "Standby" setting. You will first need to be sure that
Hibernation is enabled in your Power Options. Here's how:
Go to Start>> Control Panel>> Power Options>> Hibernate tab>>
Place a checkmark next to "Enable hibernation".
Once Hibernation is enabled, go to the shutdown dialog
(Start>> Turn Off Computer) and hold down the Shift key. Standby will now
turn in to Hibernate. Release the Shift key and it changes back to Standby.
The differences between the two options are:
Standby
Standby mode is a power control option created to save
energy for laptop computing. When in Standby mode, your computer is put into
a power conservation mode. It will shut down the monitor and hard disk while
keeping track of the files that you currently have open. This is a great
method for taking a break from your computer because the computer wakes up
very quickly from Standby mode. Standby mode is not designed for long term
use. Leaving your computer in Standby mode overnight is probably pushing
your laptop batteries limits.
Hibernate
Hibernation mode is also a power control option designed
for much longer shutdown periods without actually shutting down the system
completely. When you select the Hibernate option, an image of your current
work is stored in a special file on your hard drive and then the computer is
almost completely shut down. When you wake your computer back up, it will
take less time than a normal Shut Down would, but much longer than from the
Standby option because the computer will go through the actual boot
sequence. The benefit of hibernation mode versus actually shutting down is
that you can hibernate while in the middle of a work project without saving
the work. I'm not a big fan of using the Hibernate option, but it is there
in the event you need to shut down for a long period in a big hurry.
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Command a
change when dragging files |
When you are dragging files in Windows Explorer, you can
quickly make a copy of the file, force a move or create a shortcut by using
keyboard commands. Here's how:
Click and hold the click on any chosen file. When you start to drag the file
press the:
- Control key to force a Copy
- Shift key to force a Move
- Alt key to force a Create Shortcut
While holding the key down, release the mouse click to
complete the operation.
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File names in
thumbnail view |
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In Windows Explorer, if you would like to view your image
files in thumbnail view without having the file names listed, just hold down
the Shift key then go to View and select Thumbnail. If you change your mind
and want the file names listed, then simply repeat the procedure. [Top] |
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Add Details
to the 'Arrange icons by' Menu |
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When in Windows Explorer, you can arrange the icons in many
different ways. To see a list of the additional options available in this
list, go to View>> Choose Details... from here you can place a checkmark in
any of the unchecked options to make your selection available. Once your
selection is made, click OK to save the change and exit the window. Now,
when you go to View>> Arrange Icons By, your selection will now appear in
this menu. [Top] |
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Create a
Folders Thumbnail Image |
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In Windows Explorer, if you were to create an image and name
it; Folder.jpg, Windows will use this image as the thumbnail for that
folder. Also, it will be used as the album art in Windows Media Player for
all of the media files in that folder. [Top] |
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View more in Windows Explorer |
The default settings in Windows Explorer keeps certain information about files
and folders from being seen. I am sure that it is designed this way because most
people do not need to see this information. If there are those of you that would
like to view all of the information about your files and folders when in Windows
Explorer, I can show you how with only a few
quick tweaks. Here's how:
- Open Windows Explorer>> View>> Status Bar
This will show details at the bottom of the window.
- Open Windows Explorer>> View>> Details
This will show the details of your files and folders in the right pane.
- Open Windows Explorer>> Tools>> Folders Options>> View
Under the Advanced settings category, check all of the "Display" entries to
display everything that Windows Explorer has to offer. There are a couple of
"Hide" options listed that you can uncheck also. To apply these changes,
click the "Apply to All Folders" button.
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Customize
Windows Explorer's Default Folder |
Windows default setting for opening Windows Explorer is "My
Documents". If you would like to customize Windows Explorer and make it open
your root directory by default, here's how:
1. Go to Start>> All Programs>> Accessories>> Windows Explorer
2. Right click the Windows Explorer icon
3. Click the Shortcut tab
4. Replace the text in the "Target" box with:
%systemroot%\explorer.exe /e,/root,
5. Apply the change and then click OK
Windows will now open Windows Explorer at your root directory by default.
Bonus Tip:
You can customize Windows Explorer to open with any folder you would like. For
instance, let's say I would like Windows Explorer to open with "My Pictures"
because I am working with that folder most often. Simple, just follow the above
instructions and replace the "Target" box text with:
%systemroot%\explorer.exe /e,C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My
PicturesApply the change, then click OK.
Windows Explorer will now open with your My Pictures folder by default.
Note: Where "C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\My Documents\My Pictures" is
my actual path for my "My Pictures" folder, yours may be different. To find out
your actual path for My Pictures, simply right click the My Pictures folder and
select Properties. Look at the "Location:" field for the exact location (see
fig. 1).
(Fig. 1)
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Open Windows
Explorer from a Command Prompt |
If you would like to
open Windows Explorer from a Command Prompt, here's how:
Go to Start>> Run. Type in: explorer [Enter] or click OK.
There are a number of different switches that you can use to perform
different functions in Windows Explorer. Below you will see the switch and a
description of its function:
- explorer /n
This switch uses the default setting for showing only the root of the
drive that Windows is installed.
- explorer /e
This switch also uses the default setting for exposing the root drive.
However, you can easily switch folders in this view as both the right and
left panes are viewable.
- explorer /e,c:\windows
In this example, Windows Explorer will open the Windows folder in the
root drive.
- explorer /e,c:\windows\fonts
This example shows that you can go a step further and open Windows
Explorer with the focus on the "Fonts" folder held within the Windows folder
of the root drive. Replace "fonts" with any other folder within the Windows
folder that you would like to view.
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Change
Windows Explorer's Default Start Folder |
- Go to Start>> All Programs>> Accessories.
- Right click Windows Explorer and select Properties.
- In the "Target" textbox, enter the location change.
For example, if you would rather have Windows Explorer start at the root
drive (usually C:), make the following change:
%SystemRoot%\Explorer.exe /root, C:\
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Enable "Show
hidden files and folders" |
- Open Windows Explorer
- Select Tools>> Folder Options
- Click the View tab
- Scroll the Advanced settings to find the entry
titled: Show hidden files and folders.
- Tick the entry and then click Apply.
- Close Windows Explorer
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