File Explorer in Windows 8.1: Overview

With yesterday’s announcement of the Windows 10 technical preview, it seemed like a good time to look at some of the features of Windows that are not likely to change going forward. One Windows feature that has been around since for a very long time, in one form or another, is the File Explorer. This blog post discusses using the File Explorer in Windows 8.1.

File Explorer has been available in Windows for many, many years. However, File Explorer in Windows 8.1 has had its appearance and functionality enhanced. It is also called “File Explorer” in Windows 8.1 while in most previous releases it was referred to as “Windows Explorer.” It doesn’t really matter what you call it, as long as you realize that Windows Explorer and File Explorer in Windows 8.1 are the same thing. File Explorer is a window that allows you to explore and manage files and folders within your computer. For example, if you open a library folder within Windows 8.1, its content will be displayed within a File Explorer window.

You can start File Explorer in Windows 8.1 by clicking the “File Explorer” app within the “Apps” screen, which you can access by clicking the downward-pointing arrow in the lower-left corner of the Start screen to view all the apps on your computer. You can access it from the Desktop by clicking the “File Explorer” button within the Windows Taskbar. In File Explorer in Windows 8.1 contains a set of tabs at the top of the window that allows you to perform many tasks and activities on the files and folders you select within the main File Explorer window. Let’s examine the different features and functions shown within a typical window within File Explorer in Windows 8.1.

Within File Explorer in Windows 8.1, the Navigation Pane is used to select folders, drives, and navigate the computers, folders, and files on your network. You can expand and collapse the areas shown within the Navigation Pane, which include your Favorites, OneDrive, Homegroup, This PC, and Network.

You can use the Back, Forward, and Up Buttons to navigate within the different screens you browse within File Explorer in Windows 8.1. You can click the Back button to return to the last page viewed, the Forward button to move forward again after pressing the Back button, and the Up button to move up a level within the folder hierarchy shown within File Explorer.

The various Tabs within the Ribbon are shown at the top of File Explorer in Windows 8.1. You will find all of your file and folder management commands shown within the area. When you select an item within the Files and Folders listing shown within File Explorer in Windows 8.1, the available commands will be shown on the tabs that comprise the Ribbon. You can click the tabs to see the functions available within each group.

The Address Bar shows the currently selected location within your computer or network. You can also click into the Address Bar and enter a folder location, if desired. The Files and Folders listing shows the contents of the Address Bar location that is currently selected.

If viewing the “Details” view of a folder location shown within the Address Bar, then the details of the files and folders will be shown within columns. At the top of each column you will see a Column Name that displays the type of information shown within that column.

To search for a specific file or folder within a selected folder location you can use the Search Box to accomplish this. Simply type the name of the file or folder or the first few letters in the name of the file or folder into the Search Box to then search within the currently selected folder location for the text that you enter. Searching begins immediately as you begin typing into the Search Box.

File Explorer in Windows 8.1: Instructions

To start File Explorer in Windows 8.1 as an app, click the “File Explorer” app within the “Apps” screen, which you can access by clicking the downward-pointing arrow in the lower-left corner of the Start screen.

To start File Explorer in Windows 8.1 from the Desktop, click the “File Explorer” button that appears within the Windows Taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
The File Explorer window contains a set of tabs at the top of the window that allows you to perform many tasks and activities on the files and folders you select within the main File Explorer window.
To select folders, drives, and navigate the computers, folders, and files on your network, use the Navigation Pane shown at the left side of the File Explorer window. You can expand and collapse the areas shown within the Navigation Pane, which include your Favorites, OneDrive, Homegroup, This PC, and Network.
To navigate the different screens you browse within File Explorer in Windows 8.1, use the Back, Forward, and Up Buttons. You can click the Back button to return to the last page viewed, the Forward button to move forward again after pressing the Back button, and the Up button to move up a level within the folder hierarchy shown within File Explorer.
The various Tabs within the Ribbon are shown at the top of File Explorer. You will find all of your file and folder management commands shown within the area.
When you select an item within the Files and Folders listing shown within File Explorer in Windows 8.1, the available commands will be shown on the tabs that comprise the Ribbon. You can click the tabs to see the functions available within each group.
The Address Bar shows the currently selected location within your computer or network. You can also click into the Address Bar and enter a folder location, if desired. The Files and Folders listing shows the contents of the Address Bar location that is currently selected.
If viewing the “Details” view of a folder location shown within the Address Bar, the details of the files and folders will be shown within columns. At the top of each column you will see a Column Name that displays the type of information shown within that column.
To search for a specific file or folder within a selected folder location, use the Search Box. Type the name of the file or folder or the first few letters in the name of the file or folder into the Search Box to then search within the currently selected folder location for the text that you enter. Searching begins immediately as you begin typing into the Search Box.

File Explorer in Windows 8.1: Video Lesson

You can watch the following video lesson, titled “2.1- File Explorer in Windows 8.1,” to see how to use File Explorer in Windows 8.1. This video is from our complete Windows 8.1 training, titled “Mastering Windows Made Easy v.8.1.”

— Update: 19-03-2023 — us.suanoncolosence.com found an additional article Windows 8 Managing Your Files and Folders from the website edu.gcfglobal.org for the keyword file explorer apps windows 8.

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Managing your files and folders

You can easily manage your files and folders using File Explorer in the Desktop view. In this lesson, you’ll learn how to view, organize, and search for files with File Explorer, as well as how to use libraries. We'll also talk about how libraries work with certain apps on the Start screen.

File Explorer

File Explorer (previously known as Windows Explorer) allows you to open, access, and rearrange your files and folders in Desktop view. If you've used prior versions of Windows before, File Explorer should feel like a familiar way to manage and organize your files.

Click the folder icon on the taskbar in Desktop view to open File Explorer.

To change the content view:

The View tab makes it easy to change the way files are displayed within a folder. For example, you may prefer to see your files as a list when viewing documents and as large icons when viewing pictures.

Select the View tab, and then choose your preference from the Layout group.

To sort files:

Depending on the folder, you may also want to sort your files. For example, you can sort files by size, name, date created, date modified, file type, and much more.

Select the View tab, click the Sort by button, and then choose your preference from the drop-down menu.

Searching with File Explorer

In addition to the Search feature found on the Charms bar, you can also search for files directly from File Explorer using the Search bar. File Explorer also offers more advanced search options, which can be especially helpful if you're having trouble finding a specific file.

To use the Search bar:

Locate and select the Search bar in File Explorer.
Enter a file name or keyword. Your search results will appear as you type.

The Search Tools tab

Whenever you enter a term into the search bar, the Search Tools tab will open automatically on the Ribbon. This tab gives you access to advanced search options, which allow you to limit your search by file type, size and date modified, view your recent searches, and more.

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Working with libraries

Libraries make it easier to find your files whenever you need them. Libraries are collections of content that can be easily accessed through File Explorer. There are four basic libraries in Windows 8: Documents, Pictures, Music, and Videos.

Libraries do not actually store your files and folders—they simply help keep them organized. You can include any of your folders within a library without changing where they're stored on your computer. For example, you might include a folder of important spreadsheets in the Documents library while still keeping the folder on the Desktop for quick access.

If you're using Windows 8.1, your libraries may be hidden by default. To learn how to display them, read How to Bring Back Libraries in Windows 8.1.

Libraries and the Start screen

Libraries are especially important in Windows 8 because many of the apps on the Start screen—including Music, Photos, and Videos—use your libraries to find and display content. For example, any songs or albums in the Music library will appear in the Music app.

The apps on your Start screen are optimized for media, making it easier than ever to play music, watch videos, and view photos. File Explorer can help you organize your existing media files into libraries, so you'll be able to enjoy them from the Start screen.

To add folders to libraries:

Some folders, such as My Documents and My Music, are included automatically in the appropriate library. If you want to include additional folders, you will need to add them to the library. In the example below, we'll include a folder on the Desktop in the Pictures library without changing the folder's location.

Locate and right-click the Folder.
Hover the mouse over Include in library in the drop-down menu and then select the desired library.
The folder will now be included in the chosen library.
The photos will also be viewable in the Photos app from the Start screen.

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— Update: 27-03-2023 — us.suanoncolosence.com found an additional article Best File Manager and Explorer apps for Windows 11/10 in Microsoft Store from the website www.thewindowsclub.com for the keyword file explorer apps windows 8.
Source: us.suanoncolosence.com

After talking about many good and useful Microsoft Store apps, today I will write about very useful File Explorer apps for Windows 11 and Windows 10.

File manager & Explorer apps for Windows 11/10

While Windows OS has its own File Explorer and I am quite comfortable with it, I still would like to tell our readers about the new File Explorer apps I am presently checking out. These apps are useful for users who are not comfortable with the metro-style file explorer and help the users to manage their files and folders without even opening the File Explorer.

Although none of these apps are as futuristic as the native File Explorer of Windows but trust me these apps are really great.

1] File Brick

File Brick is a free file browser app available for download in the Windows store. While I was happy with the native File Explorer, File Brick helps me manage my files in a much easier way. I can open many files within the app.

For example, I can view the pictures and play my audio files simultaneously with this app. I can also access my Sky Drive, Google Drive and Dropbox files with just a single click.

File Brick has a very simple user interface. I can add the shortcuts of the folder I use frequently. Music, Photos, Videos, Skydrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, and Facebook are some shortcuts that you can use for the free version of File Brick. It also shows all the local drives. Other features like Twitter, Picasa, Flickr, and YouTube are accessible only for the paid version of the app. Just a click and you can access any of your folders and the files in those folders.

Read also:

Honestly, when I read about File Brick on the Windows Store first, I did not feel that it would be so useful. But now when I have it installed on my laptop, I am loving it. It’s like a one-stop for everything. I can access any of my folders right here. I can also access my Facebook profile directly from the File Brick app.

This is truly an awesome file explorer app in the Store and makes file browsing and file exchange operations quite easy for me.

While searching for File Brick in the Windows Store, I came across two more of the file manager apps – My Explorer and File Explorer. My Explorer is a free app but File Explorer is a paid app. Though it is affordable and is available in the Windows Store at $1.49.

2] My Explorer

My Explorer is a simple alternative to the native file explorer in Windows 8. You can add the desired folder here for easy navigation. This is a Modern UI version of the desktop’s File Explorer.

My Explorer gives you access to manage all your folders and files with a single click and moreover, you can also make it personal by adding any files from the local drives making it easy to reach those locations in a few steps.

My Explorer has a few restrictions though, you cannot add the protected or hidden files from the system folder and neither can you launch the files that depend on other files.

3] File Explorer

This App is a paid app – but it can help the user browse the local files in a simple and hassle freeway. Similar to File Brick and My Explorer you can add files from any of the apps in your local folders.

4] Files – File Manager for Windows

Files is one of the best file manager apps for Windows 11 and Windows 10. If you like the user interface of the in-built File Explorer but want to get more options or features, Files can help you do that. Whether you need to navigate to a specific path, open a file or do something else, you can perform that in the File app. On the other hand, it comes with a sidebar, where you can show or hide various icons such as Recycle Bin, library folders, drives, cloud storage, network, WSL, etc. Download from Microsoft.com.

5] File Commander – File Manager

If you always browse multiple paths simultaneously to open different files from different locations, you can give File Commander a try. The latest version of File Commander comes with tons of new features, options, and improvements so that you can get the most out of a file explorer app. The user interface is uncluttered, but you can find almost all the essential options in one window. Like Files, you can find a sidebar on the left side, showing the library folders, cloud storage, drives, etc. Talking about the settings, it doesn’t offer as many options as Files, but you can find options to enable dark mode and change the view. Download from Microsoft.com.

6] Factory File Manager

If you do not like to have countless options here and there, Factory File Manager can be a handy option for you. That being said, it is a minimal file explorer app that you can find on the Microsoft Store. The highlight of this app is that it comes with two integrated windows. In other words, if you want to browse two paths at the same time, you can do that without creating another window of Factory File Manager. Another useful thing about this file explorer app is that you can find some keyboards shortcuts so that you can perform various tasks quickly. Download from Microsoft.com.

Related: Windows File Explorer replacements and alternative software.

Is there a better File Manager than Windows Explorer?

There are many best free File Manager software for Windows 11/10 that you might actually find better than Windows native File Explorer. Explorer++, One Commander, Konverter, Multi-Commander, etc., are some examples you should use. The interface of third-party file manager software may look complicated, but for those who need feature-rich alternatives to Windows Explorer, these are good options.

Is File Explorer a Microsoft Store app?

No, File Explorer is not a Microsoft Store app. File Explorer in Windows 11/10 comes as an integrated utility that you cannot uninstall or reinstall from any source. Although it is possible to restart File Explorer or Windows Explorer, there is no option to install it from the Microsoft Store.

Source: https://www.teachucomp.com/file-explorer-in-windows-8-1-tutorial/

File Explorer in Windows 8.1- Tutorial and Instructions

File Explorer in Windows 8.1: Overview

File Explorer in Windows 8.1: Instructions