Are you spending too much time searching for files or managing folders on your Windows PC? File Explorer is a powerful tool, and learning a few simple tricks can help you save time and become much more efficient. Here are five essential File Explorer tips every beginner should know, with step-by-step instructions and real-world examples.
How Can I Quickly Access My Favorite Folders?
Pinning folders to Quick Access is a great way to reach your most-used folders fast. Instead of navigating through multiple directories, you can keep important locations just one click away.
To pin a folder to Quick Access:
1. Open File Explorer (press Windows key + E).
2. Navigate to the folder you want to pin.
3. Right-click on the folder and select “Pin to Quick Access.”
Now your favorite folder appears in the Quick Access section at the top left of File Explorer. For example, if you regularly work with documents stored in “C:\Users\YourName\Work,” you can pin it and open it instantly without digging through multiple folders.
What’s the Fastest Way to Find a File?
The search box in File Explorer helps you find files by simply typing keywords. However, you can speed things up by using search filters.
To use search filters:
1. Open the folder where you want to search.
2. Click on the search box in the upper right.
3. Type part of the filename or use filters like “date:today”, “type:pdf”, or “size:>10MB”.
For example, if you want to find all PDFs modified today, type “*.pdf date:today” in the search box. This saves you from scrolling through countless files.
Can I Open Multiple Folders at Once?
Tabs in File Explorer (available in Windows 11) make it easy to work with several folders at the same time, just like browsing the web.
To open a new tab:
1. Press Ctrl + T while in File Explorer.
2. Alternatively, right-click a folder and select “Open in new tab” (Windows 11).
This is perfect if you are organizing files between two folders—simply drag and drop between tabs.
How Do I Rename Multiple Files at Once?
Batch renaming files can be a huge time saver, especially after downloading or scanning multiple documents.
To rename multiple files:
1. Select all the files you want to rename (hold Ctrl and click each file).
2. Right-click and select “Rename.”
3. Type the new name and press Enter.
Windows will automatically append numbers to each file (e.g., VacationPhoto (1), VacationPhoto (2), etc.). This is great for organizing pictures or downloaded documents.
Is There a Way to Keep My Files and Folders Clean and Organized?
Sometimes, duplicate files or unused folders clutter your system over time. Managing this manually is time-consuming, but you can automate the process with a utility like Glary Utilities.
Glary Utilities offers a user-friendly Duplicate Files Finder that scans your folders and helps you remove unnecessary copies. It also includes a Disk Cleaner to remove old files and a Folder Management tool to keep your directories organized. To get started:
1. Download and install Glary Utilities.
2. Open the program and select “Duplicate Files Finder” from the Modules menu.
3. Follow the prompts to scan and safely delete duplicate files.
This not only saves storage space but also keeps your File Explorer fast and easy to use.
Conclusion
Mastering these five tips can make a big difference in how efficiently you use Windows File Explorer. From pinning your favorite folders and using advanced search to batch renaming and keeping your storage tidy with Glary Utilities, these tricks are simple yet powerful. Start applying them today and you’ll finish your daily PC tasks much faster and with less hassle.