Managing files
Documents, pictures, tunes, and anything else you store on your computer or on a memory stick are stored as files.
These files are grouped together in folders, to make it easier to find them.
To see the files and folders on your computer, open Windows Explorer (called File Explorer in Windows 8)
These files are grouped together in folders, to make it easier to find them.
To see the files and folders on your computer, open Windows Explorer (called File Explorer in Windows 8)
If you have this icon on your taskbar (that's the strip across the bottom of the screen), single left click on it.
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Otherwise, click on the Start button, and click on Computer in the right hand column
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Windows Explorer
Storing files
Left to its own devices, a computer will save most documents in a folder called Documents (My documents on older computers). On a private computer this folder will be on the built-in hard disk. On a networked computer which you have to log in to, the Documents folder will usually be on a file server on the network.
Either way, the file will be stored on a computer, and you will have to be in front of that computer to use it. For instance, if your cv is stored on a computer, you will only be able to use it to apply for jobs if you are using that computer.
It would be much better always to have the files with you, so that whatever computer you are using, you are able to use the files.
The easiest way to achieve this is to use a memory stick, also known as a USB drive, flash drive or pen drive.
Either way, the file will be stored on a computer, and you will have to be in front of that computer to use it. For instance, if your cv is stored on a computer, you will only be able to use it to apply for jobs if you are using that computer.
It would be much better always to have the files with you, so that whatever computer you are using, you are able to use the files.
The easiest way to achieve this is to use a memory stick, also known as a USB drive, flash drive or pen drive.
Memory stick
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The memory stick is conveniently small, and can be used in almost any computer.
It is, however, easily lost, so make sure you have another copy of the files stored somewhere else. | ||
Another way to ensure the files you need are always available to you, is to store them 'on the cloud'. This means storing them on another computer somewhere on the web, so that you can reach them and download them from any computer.
You can do this by emailing them to yourself as attachments, using web-based email such as Yahoo, Gmail or Hotmail. When you want to use them, open the email and download them.
If you want to store a lot of files, you should consider using a cloud storage service such as Dropbox or Google Drive. The basic service is free, though you can pay for a premium service giving you greater storage capacity. With Windows 8.1, the default storage location is OneDrive, rather than the hard disk.
You can do this by emailing them to yourself as attachments, using web-based email such as Yahoo, Gmail or Hotmail. When you want to use them, open the email and download them.
If you want to store a lot of files, you should consider using a cloud storage service such as Dropbox or Google Drive. The basic service is free, though you can pay for a premium service giving you greater storage capacity. With Windows 8.1, the default storage location is OneDrive, rather than the hard disk.