Managing Documents in Windows XP

Windows XP is based like a filing cabinet, with folders and document files. As such, managing documents with Windows XP is a little like as you would with a filing cabinet. There are a few options and features worth noting.

Let us first begin, by noting that like any paper related filing cabinet folders are needed for files. These folders can be added and removed from XP, but generally there should be a few large folders which have other sub-folders. Such categories for these folders can be Program files, Games, Windows and Documents and Settings folder. While other folders can be added, the program files folder can be for software and games for any games. The Documents and Settings folder includes a document called My Documents, which includes saved documents of a variety.

So when adding software, the software can be included in Program Files with a sub-folder for the software. Sub-folders fir application software, graphics software etc can also be added to the main folder. To start any new folder, simply go to file, new and then name the folder appropriately. Alternatively, if you wish to delete a folder then you can right-click the folder and then delete.

With regard to document files, the My Documents folder is best to save any documents to. This folder includes a few sub-folders such as My Pictures, My Music etc. You can also add further sub-folders for word documents, spreadsheets, databases etc where appropriate documents can be added.

Folders and documents can be browsed via My Computer short-cut on the desktop. From here, you can simply select your own document folder or alternatively the C: disk for the main folders.

Any document can be removed from a folder if necessary. To delete a file, you just have to right-click and then select delete to recycle bin. Then it will be removed from the folder.

Documents can also be renamed if necessary. Again, to do so just right-click the document and select rename. Then you can add an appropriate title to the document.

In addition to this, such options are included on the left pane of the folder window. Files can also be moved, copied etc. To move a document to an alternative folder, select move document and then the folder to be moved to.

Another good tip to note is that of short-cuts. Short cuts to documents will open the document with the related software also. For example, a spreadsheet document will open with the default spreadsheet software. To add a document short cut to desktop, you can simply right-click the document and then send to and desktop. Alternatively, you can actually drag documents over.

So overall, managing documents with Windows XP will require appropriate folders and sub-folders for the documents. Then they can be added to the appropriate folder. In addition, with the various options documents can be deleted, copied and moved to alternative folders and have short-cuts added to the start menu and desktop.