Opening File Explorer on Windows
File Explorer is the program that shows you all your files and folders on a Windows computer. The fastest way to open it is to press the Windows key and the letter E at the same time. Hold down the Windows key (the one with the four squares, usually between Ctrl and Alt on the left side of your keyboard) and tap E. File Explorer will open in a new window.
If the keyboard shortcut does not work, you can open File Explorer through the Start menu. Click the Windows logo in the bottom left corner of your screen, then look for a folder icon labeled "File Explorer" in the menu that appears. Click it and the window will open.
A third option is to look at your taskbar — the bar at the bottom of your screen. Many computers have a folder icon already pinned there. If you see one, click it to open File Explorer directly.
Opening Finder on Mac
On a Mac, the program that works like File Explorer is called Finder. You can open it by clicking the Finder icon in your dock — it looks like a blue and white face and is usually on the left side of the dock at the bottom of your screen. Click it once and Finder opens.
If you do not see the Finder icon in your dock, you can open Finder from the Apple menu. Click the Apple logo in the top left corner of your screen, then look for "Finder" near the top of the menu that drops down. Click it to open Finder.
You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command+Space to open Spotlight search, then type "Finder" and press Enter. This method works from anywhere on your Mac.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, press the Windows key and E together to open File Explorer in one keystroke.
- On Windows, you can also click the Windows logo and select File Explorer from the Start menu, or click a folder icon in your taskbar if one is pinned there.
- On Mac, click the Finder icon (blue and white face) in your dock, or use Command+Space and type "Finder".
- Once File Explorer or Finder is open, you can navigate to any folder on your computer and see all the files inside it.
What You See When File Explorer Opens
When File Explorer opens on Windows, you will see a window with two main parts. On the left side is a list of common places — Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Pictures, and others. On the right side is the main area where your files and folders appear. At the top is a bar showing where you are right now in your file system (called the address bar).
On Mac, Finder opens with a similar layout. The left sidebar shows Favorites and Locations. The main area on the right shows the contents of whichever folder you have selected. You can click any folder in the sidebar to jump to it, or double-click a folder in the main area to open it and see what is inside.
Navigating to Your Documents and Downloads
Most of your files end up in a few standard places. On Windows, click "Documents" in the left sidebar to see files you have saved there. Click "Downloads" to see files you have downloaded from the internet — this folder fills up quickly and is a good place to clean out old files. Click "Pictures" to see image files.
On Mac, the process is the same. Click "Documents" in the Finder sidebar to open that folder. Click "Downloads" to see what you have downloaded. These folders work the same way on both systems — they are just places your computer automatically saves files to when you use certain programs.
Creating a New Folder
Once File Explorer or Finder is open, you can create a new folder to organize your files. On Windows, right-click in the empty space of the folder you are in, then click "New" and select "Folder". A new folder will appear with the name "New Folder" highlighted so you can type a different name right away.
On Mac, open the File menu at the top of your screen and click "New Folder". A new folder appears in the current location. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Command+Shift+N to create a new folder without using the menu.
Moving and Copying Files
Once you have File Explorer or Finder open, you can move files from one folder to another. The simplest way is to click and drag a file from the main area into a folder in the sidebar. On Windows, you can also right-click a file, select "Cut", navigate to a different folder, right-click in the empty space, and select "Paste".
If you want to copy a file instead of moving it (so the original stays where it is), right-click the file and select "Copy", then navigate to the destination folder, right-click, and select "Paste". The file now exists in both places.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I find my Downloads folder?
On Windows, open File Explorer and click "Downloads" in the left sidebar. On Mac, open Finder and click "Downloads" in the sidebar. This is where files from the internet land by default. It is a good idea to check it regularly and move important files to Documents or another organized folder.
How do I see hidden files in File Explorer or Finder?
On Windows, click the "View" tab at the top of File Explorer, then check the box next to "Hidden items". On Mac, use the keyboard shortcut Command+Shift+Period to show hidden files. Hidden files are usually system files you do not need to touch, but sometimes you need to see them to find something specific.
Can I search for a file if I do not remember where I saved it?
Yes. On Windows, there is a search box in the top right of File Explorer. Type the name of the file or part of its name and File Explorer will search your computer. On Mac, use Command+Space to open Spotlight and type the file name. Both will find files across your entire computer.
What is the difference between moving and copying a file?
Moving a file removes it from the original location and puts it in the new one — it exists in only one place. Copying keeps the original and makes a duplicate in the new location — the file now exists in two places. Use Cut and Paste to move, or Copy and Paste to duplicate.