This site will look much better in a browser that supports web standards, but it is accessible to any browser or Internet device.

Skip Navigation skip menu and banner
University of Wyoming

Microsoft Windows
Windows Explorer Settings

[pdf version]

Windows Explorer shows the location of folders and files on a computer.  It is used to work with folders and files easily so they can be viewed, moved, renamed, or deleted.  Changing the following settings for Explorer makes it easier to work with.

  1. Right-click the Start button.
  2. Left-click Explore on the shortcut menu.  The Windows Explore window displays.
  3. Click View > Details.  See Figure 1.  Click the image to enlarge it.  The details view displays folders and files with the name, size, type, and date modified.  This view makes it easier to troubleshoot problems.

Figure 1. Details View Click the image to enlarge it.

Figure 1.  Details View
  1. Click Tools > Folder Options.  The Folder Options dialog box displays.  See Figure 2.

Figure 2. Folder Options

Figure 2.  Folder Options
  1. Click the Apply to all folders button.  This changes the display of all folders to the details view set in item 3.
  2. Make the following changes in the Advanced Settings section.
    1. Check Display the full path in the address bar.  The address bar shows the location of the current file or folder when this option is checked.  See Figure 3.  In this figure, the current folder being worked with is the 4HPlus WY folder.
    2. Check Display the full path in the title bar.  The title bar shows the location of the current file or folder when this option is checked.  See Figure 3.  In this figure, the current folder being worked with is the 4HPlus WY folder.

Figure 3. Full Path

Figure 3.  Full Path
    1. Check the Show hidden files and folders radio button.
    2. Uncheck Hide extensions for known file types.  The file extensions, such as .ebd, .txt, .db, .dat and .doc, display when this option is unchecked.  See Figure 4.  In this figure, the .ebd extension of the 4H backup file displays.

Ed.  9/14/2005

[top] • Back • Home • Up • Next •

Updated 09/15/2006