The Wychwood Online Club
In association with Oxfordshire Rural Broadband
In association with Oxfordshire Rural Broadband
Copyright © ORB 2009
Get the answers to those questions you've always wanted to know but never got round to asking
Q
Organising your files and folders
A
Organising your information into files and folders allows you to find it again easily and to set up cross references when these are needed. Decide on a filing approach which works for you, but you can change and modify it as you go along. By default, Windows assumes that all your information, documents and photos etc are stored in 'My Documents'. However not all programs are well disciplined so when you first install the program check that it is set up to store your information in the correct folder.
To move files around your filing system all you need to do is highlight the file you want to move and 'click and drag' it to the correct folder. This will move the file if the two locations are on the same drive and will copy the file if the locations are on different drives, such as transferring photos from a digital camera.
If you use Outlook or Outlook Express as your organiser be aware that all your contact, email and calendar information is stored in a special file buried deep in the file structure of Windows and can't be moved. You can however export all this information to a more convenient folder and this is a good approach for backing up Outlook files.
You can also cross reference files and documents using shortcuts. These are pointers to other files rather than copies of the files. To create a shortcut use the Right mouse button to do your 'click and drag'. When you release it the option of creating a shortcut is displayed. Remember you can also drag shortcuts into contacts and calendar entries in Outlook, very useful for cross referencing correspondence documents and your contacts for example. In this case create the shortcut first and then drag the shortcut into the Outlook Contact or Calendar entry.
Don't forget to organise your Favourites as well. From your browser, select 'Organise Favourites' and then create the folder you want such as Travel, Shopping, Music etc. Then just drag your Favourites into the right folder.
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