Lesson 2: Organize and Find Files

File Management: Organizing and Finding Files

1. Using File Explorer (PC) or Finder (Mac):

   • File Explorer (on PC) and Finder (on Mac) are essential tools for navigating through all the files on your computer.

   • You can access them by clicking the folder icon in your taskbar (PC) or the Finder face icon on the dock (Mac).

   • Tip: Create specific folders inside Documents or Downloads to keep your files organized.

   • Visual Example: Using File Explorer on Windows.

2. Naming Conventions for Files:

   • A consistent naming convention makes it easier to find files later.

   • Example: Name a document “2024_Tax_Return” rather than just “Document1” to make it identifiable.

   • Tip: Include dates or descriptions in your file names for easier searching later on.

3. Searching for Files by Type:

   • In File Explorer or Finder, you can search for files by type. For example, if you know the file is a PDF or Word document, type in “.pdf” or “.docx” to narrow down your results.

   • Tip: Use the search filter to narrow down results by file type, date modified, or size.

   • Visual Example: How to Search for Files by Type.

4. Quick Access and Recent Files:

   • Both File Explorer and Finder have a Quick Access or Recents section where you can see files you’ve recently worked on.

   • This can save time when you need to revisit files you’ve worked on in the last few days.

   • Tip: Pin important folders to Quick Access in File Explorer by right-clicking the folder and selecting “Pin to Quick Access.”