4-12-07 What exactly is Window Explorer?

Q: What exactly is Windows Explorer? I've heard the term mentioned several times in your tips, but I've never gotten a good grasp as to what it is. Please explain!

A:
To begin with a basic definition, Windows Explorer is a type of file manager. It is an application that comes with every Windows operating system that provides you with detailed information about your computer's files, folders and drives. It covers everything from your Documents and Settings to your My Documents files to your C: drive and so on and so on. No matter what type of files you have on your computer or where you keep them, Windows Explorer can manage them.
There are several things you can do with Windows Explorer. For example, you're able to see how your files, etc. are organized in your computer system. It even helps you to do those little tasks of finding, saving, copying, moving, deleting and even renaming your data. You know, all of those processes you go through probably every day with your files. Windows Explorer is known for being one of the best tools available for file managing and it's all free! Wow, who knew?!
Now, there are actually several different ways that will get you to the Windows Explorer application. The easiest way is to right click either the Start button or the My Computer icon on your desktop and choose Explore. On the other hand, if you like to use keyboard shortcuts, you can get there by hitting the Windows key and the letter E (Win + E) at the same time. Those two are probably the quickest access points, but other ways include going through your programs. In Windows ME, 2000 and XP, just go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, Windows Explorer. If you use Windows 95 or 98, go to Start, Programs, Windows Explorer. Either way you go, the Windows Explorer window will open right up for you. It will pop up right on your computer screen.
When you go to open Windows Explorer, it will bring up a file directory for you. But, what if that's not the one you want to work in? For example, Windows Explorer may bring up your Documents and Settings when you want to start out in your C: drive. Well, when that happens, you can easily change where Windows Explorer opens to. Here's an example of how you can do that.
Right click on your desktop and go to New, Shortcut. In the command box, you'll have to type in a new directory. So, if you want Windows Explorer to open to your C: drive, enter this command line in: explorer /n,/e,/root,,/select,C:\. Make sure you keep all the spaces in as well. Click Next and then Finish. A new icon will come up on your desktop and when you double click that, Windows Explorer will open to your C: drive. If you want to open Windows Explorer from any of the ways we talked about above, you can do that as well, but either way, your C: drive will be the one that pops up.