ITS Tech Tips: Windows Tips

I Can't See My Files for the Trees!

Table of Contents

Definitions
Files
Folders
Drives
Trees
My Computer

The CWU Structure
The Drives In Your Computer
The Network Drives

Create Your Own Filing System
Creating Folders
Moving Files To Folders

Tell Your Applications What To Do!
Where To Save
Save Automatically

Definitions

Files

Word processing documents, spreadsheets, presentations, web pages, etc. that you create. Also, programs that you purchase, along with all of the settings required to run your computer. Each type of file displays its own icon, or picture.

Folders

Store Files in Folders to organize them. Some folders are restricted for storing programs; others are for you to use to store your information. Several people in one organization or department can use Shared Folders. Folders are also called directories or subdirectories .

Drives

Physical devices inside your computer, or in a network server, or large computer, that store your information. Each drive is assigned a letter.

Trees

Information is stored on a computer, or on a computer network, in an organized manner, much like in a file cabinet. The structure is “hierarchical”, or shaped like an upside down tree. It starts off with roots, and continues spreading out with branches – drives connected through the network, store folders , which store files .

My Computer

displays your drives and folders as pictures, or icons .

The CWU Structure

The Drives In Your Computer

	A:\ Floppy drive in your computer. Store files on this drive only as a backup or if you need to move or copy them to a computer not connected to the CWU network. All new computers will only have a 3 1/2 floppy drive if specially requested as they have low storage capacity.
	C:\ First hard drive in your computer. Do not store files on this drive unless you cannot connect to the network. If you must store a file on your hard drive, make sure to make a back-up copy on a floppy, back-up tape or drive, or the network. Never store any files in the root directory of C:\ ; always store them in a folder.
	D:\ Usually the CD-ROM drive in your computer. In some computers, it may be a second hard drive. If so, the CD-ROM drive may be Drive E:\.

The Network Drives

All network drives are backed up every night!

	G:\ - Data drive, shared folders, and your personal folder. You have access to shared folders based on your job.
	I:\ - Web pages are stored here.
	N:\ - Data drive; your personal drive. All of the files from this drive are also duplicated in your personal folder on the G:\ drive.
	S:\ - Data drive for shared departmental folders. Your access is based on your job.

Other network drives are used for programs and utilities.

If you do not have one of these network drives, check to see if you have other devices, e.g. zip drives, second CD-ROM drives, that are assigned to these network drive letters. You can reassign those devices so you can connect to the network drives.

Create Your Own Filing System

You can create folders on the N:\, G:\, or S:\ drives, just as you would in a filing cabinet.

If you create a new folder on N:\ or in your personal folder on G:\ , only you can access that folder.

If you create a new folder on G:\ in a shared folder, or anywhere in the S:\ drive, all those who access that shared folder or drive can access the new folder.

If you need to create a folder on the G:\ or S:\ drives but you want to limit the access to only certain people, send an e-mail to sysmgr@cwu.edu with your request.

To Create Folders

• Double-click on the My Computer icon located either on your desktop or the Start menu.
• Double-click on the drive in which you want the new folder.
• If necessary, double-click on the folder in which you want the new folder.
• Click on File, New, Folder .

A new folder icon will display with the name New folder.

• Type in a meaningful name for the new folder and press Enter.

The new folder is now ready to have content stored in it.

To Move Files to New Folders

• Double-click on the My Computer icon either on the desktop or on the Start menu.
• Locate and click on the file you want to move.
• Click on Edit, Move to folder.

• Click on the drive where you want to move the file. If the drive has folders in it, a list will expand below it.
• If necessary, click on the folder into which you want you want to move the file.
• Click Move.

Tell Your Applications What To Do!

Where To Save . . .

In Word ,

• Click on Tools, Options.
• Click on the File Locations tab.
• At the top of the list, click on Documents.
• Click on the Modify button.
• Select the appropriate network drive and folder.
• Click OK, then click Close.

In Excel,

• Click on Tools, Options.
• Click on the General tab.
• Next to Default file location, type the appropriate drive and folder name, e.g. N:\Reports.
• Click OK.

Save Automatically . . .

In Word,

• Click on Tools, Options.
• Click on the Save tab.
• Check Save AutoRecover info every and set the time to every 10 minutes or less.
• Click on the File Locations tab.
• Click on AutoRecover files, then click the Modify button.
• Select your personal folder on the N:\ or G:\ drive.
• Click OK, then Close.

In Excel 2000,

• Click on Tools, Add-Ins.
• Check Autosave, then click OK.
• Click on Tools, AutoSave.
• Set the time interval to 10 minutes or less.
• Click OK.

In Excel 2002-2003,

• Click on Tools, Options.
• Click on the Save tab.
• Check Save AutoRecover info every and set the time to every 10 minutes or less.
• In the AutoRecover save location, type the appropriate drive and folder name, e.g. N:\Reports.

Page last updated 08/14/06. Send questions or comments to ITS Training.