Computer Basics

Files & Folders

3 curated resources, easiest first.

File Management Basics — by Marylanders Online (University of Maryland Extension), lesson by Gail Borden Public Library District

beginnerpage

A 90-minute lesson plan on organising digital files, shared via DigitalLearn.org. It uses the Windows 7 File Explorer, so navigation steps may differ on newer systems.

File Organization (Community Workshop Series handout) — by UNC School of Information and Library Science, Community Workshop Series

beginnerpdf

A workshop handout for new computer users on organising files. It covers planning an organisation tree and categories, creating folders, saving files into them, moving versus copying, deleting, views and shortcuts. It was written for Windows XP, Vista and 7 (updated April 2017), so screens look older.

Organize Your Files Handout — by Sandi Caldrone, Purdue University Libraries

beginnerpdf

A downloadable PDF handout gathering file organisation advice from several Purdue Library Guides. It includes file naming guidance, a directory structure template, an exercise for building your own structure and data management basics.