Create a folder in Documents
Use a computer with a mouse and keyboard. This practice desktop is designed for clicking, right-clicking, dragging and typing with physical keys, rather than touchscreen use on a phone or tablet.
Give things a place
You are going to create a folder called Holiday plans in Documents.
You will learn how to choose a location and name a folder so you can find it again.
A file is a saved item, such as a photo or a letter. A folder is a place to keep related files together. A useful name helps you recognise what belongs there.
File Explorer is the Windows app for looking through files and folders. We’ll put your new folder inside Documents, so you know where to find it.
See a folder take shape
Follow the instruction popup on the practice desktop. Carry out each action yourself. The guide moves to the next step when you complete the action. On the last step, click Check the result. Create Holiday plans in Documents, then open it. Afterwards, Try it gives you a fresh desktop to practise independently. Click Check my work when you finish, or use the optional hints underneath.
Click the yellow folder icon on the bar at the bottom of the desktop to open File Explorer. Click Documents on the left. Click New folder in the command bar above the files. Type Holiday plans in the name box and press Enter on your keyboard. Double-click the new folder, clicking twice quickly, to open it and check that it is empty.
Now make one yourself
Create a folder called Holiday plans inside Documents. Then open it to see what is inside. This practice area does not change any files on your computer.
Click the yellow folder icon at the bottom of the desktop to open File Explorer. Click Documents on the left, then New folder in the command bar above the files. Type Holiday plans in the name box and press Enter on your keyboard. Double-click your new folder to open it: click its name twice quickly. You can also click it once to select it, then press Enter.
What did Windows do?
You created Holiday plans inside Documents and opened it before adding any files. What should you expect?
It is ready to hold files, with nothing inside yet.
Try this outside the practice desktop
You have practised inside this webpage. If you feel ready, you can repeat the skill in Windows on the same computer, outside the practice desktop. This is optional. The steps below use your actual apps and files, so use only disposable practice items. Files made in the webpage do not appear in Windows File Explorer.
A folder has both a name and a location. Yours is Holiday plans, inside Documents. The same idea works for other locations and other useful names.
- 1
Click the yellow folder icon on the taskbar, the bar normally at the bottom of your screen, to open File Explorer. If it is missing, press the Windows logo key on your keyboard, type File Explorer and click the File Explorer app in the results.
- 2
Click Documents in the list on the left. If it is out of view, point at that list and roll your mouse wheel to scroll down.
- 3
Click New at the top of File Explorer, then click Folder in the menu that appears.
- 4
Type Holiday plans, or another useful unused name, while the name box is highlighted. Press the Enter key on your keyboard to keep it. Remember the name you chose for the next lesson.
- 5
Double-click the new folder: click its name twice quickly to open it. You can also click it once to select it, then press Enter. It will be empty until you put files inside.
Trying this on your PC is optional. Your Windows layout may look a little different, and Documents may be connected to OneDrive. The key idea stays the same: choose the location before creating the folder.
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