File Management
In this module, you will learn how to efficiently manage your computer files including how to find, download, copy, rename, recover and organize your files. The links on this page will open in a new tab/window.
Top Tips
✓ Use folders in a logical hierarchy. Keep your files organized in folders in a logical hierarchy so that you know where everything is when you need it. Create folders within folders as necessary.
✓ Give your files short, logical names. Name your files so you know what they are. Keep the names short to make it easier to search for files.
✓ Back up important files. Get in the habit of backing up files in a cloud service or on other storage devices, just in case.
✓ Display your files in a list to see details. In Windows, when files are displayed in a list you can view details such as the file size and type, and when they were last modified.
✓ Use external storage to access your files on multiple computers. Save your files on a flash drive or in a cloud storage service to be able to access them from more than one computer.
General Guides
The guides below will teach you the basics of managing your computer files.
→ How to make a new folder on your computer (WikiHow)
→ Taking your files from computer to computer
→ Compressed file formats: Zip files
→ Cloud storage: OneDrive and Office Online
Windows Guides
These guides are for the Windows operating system.
→ Viewing file properties on Windows
Apple Mac Guides
These guides are for the Apple Mac OS operating systems.
File Management Videos
Check out this video on File Management by Dane Hartman from 2016.
Another video about file management from Algonquin College in 2013.
Additional Attributions
Much of the links and video content on this page come from GCFLearnFree.org. All GCFGlobal.org® content is available for free at edu.gcfglobal.org.
Attribution
Unless otherwise stated, the material in this guide is from the Learning Portal created by College Libraries Ontario. Content has been adapted for the NWP Learning Commons in May 2021. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons BY NC SA 4.0 International License.
All icons on these pages are from The Noun Project. See individual icons for creator attribution.