FORESTERS' TIPS, TECHNIQUES, AND TRICKS OF THE TRADE

bullet1 ADMINISTRATION

bullet2 FINDING THAT FILE

Electronic files should be easily and quickly found. A lot of time can be wasted if the filename is not clear; or the file misplaced in a folder/directory; or taking up space when it should be deleted. A nifty trick to find files and facilitate housekeeping is to work through the Windows Explorer, keeping all folders open using the NumLock and * shortcut. Do this as follows:

First

  • If you have only My Computer icon:
  • Left click once to highlight
  • Right click to draw down menu
  • Left click on Explore
  1. or
  • If you have File Manager or Windows Explorer icons:
  • Double click to open
  1. Then
  • Highlight C (or other drive) or folder within  (in left-hand column)
  • Hold down NumLock, then press * (asterix) -two keys away to right.

Hey presto! All your folders and sub-folders will be mapped. Click on any folder or sub-folder to see files (in right column). Double-click file to start its application and open file. When finished, close file, leave application open (if you will use it again), and select Exploring from taskbar. Exploring window will reappear. Find next file and double-click to open. Provided you have the memory, several applications (e.g. Word, Excel, can be left open).

This a much quicker way of browsing your files to find the one you had lost or forgotten about than doing it direct through e.g. "open file" in the application itself. It also allows you to reallocate, rename or delete.

A further tip - leave  the Exploring window open when you shut down, and it will reappear when you next start up, ready to find files. This way you don't have to go through the above routine of opening the folders.