If you favor the keyboard over the mouse or other pointing device, there’s an easy way to get to the Properties of any folder or file. Highlight the folder or file in which you are interested in, and then press the |Alt| and |Enter| key at the same time.
Files-Bring Important Files to the Top of a List
Sometimes it’s convenient to have certain files appear at the top of files lists we see when we view the contents of our hard drive or the files in any folder. Here’s an easy way to bring those files to the top of the list.
By default, Windows lists files in alphabetical order. Folders that start with the letter A will appear at the top of the list. NOTE! You can use a double A [AA], or even a triple A [AAA] when naming or renaming a file. To rename a file using an alphabetical beginning, either right click the folder or file and then select Rename (from the context menu), or highlight the folder or file and then press the |F2| key, or click once on the folder or file you wish to rename, wait a second and then click again to highlight the folder or file and rename it that way.
Keep in mind, too that numbers supplant letters. For example, a folder or file named 1folder will appear before afolder.
Another way to guarantee top position in any listing is to start the folder or file name with an underscore using the Shift + Hyphen keys ( _ ).
Change Association
In order to better understand this concept, first let me set the stage by giving you this example: I ordinarily store all of my audio files in Media Player (music, voice-overs, WAV’s and MP3′s.) But, now I need to use a more sophisticated, (precise) software for editing audio tracks, such as Audition or the like. With this understood, here’s what to do:
Right click on any audio file (MP3, Wave, etc.) and then select Properties (context menu)>click the General tab>click the Change button.
In the “Open With” (dialog box) under the heading “Recommended Programs,” select (from the list) the program you want the audio file to now open up into, e.g. Adobe Audition, CoolEdit Pro, Audacity, GarageBand, etc. Click OK twice to close out and return to the Desktop.
Orphaned
Although an anomaly, occasionally you may run across as “Orphaned” file, which means a file not associated with any particular application (program.) To help find its way back home, drag-and-drop the file onto your various applications (programs) icons until you find the “Parent” application that will open the file.
NOTE: Orphaned files are usually the result of an irregularity in the Save as type: selection when the file was first saved, e.g. saving a Word document which should include the extension .Doc with either an unrelated extension or no extension whatsoever.
Folders and Directories-Encrypting to Secure Data
Here’s how to encrypt folders and directories:
Right click on a folder you want to encrypt, and select Properties (context menu)>click the General tab>click Advanced Attributes.
Under the heading: Compress or Encrypt attributes, select Encrypt contents to secure data>OK.
Zipping and Unzipping
Being able to zip and unzip (compress) folders and files is especially useful when emailing, or conserving space on your hard drive. Here’s how:
Right click the folder or file to be compressed, select Send To (context menu)>Compressed (zipped) Folder (sub-menu.)
NOTE: The newly created zipped folder or file will now sport a zipper on its icon to differentiate between itself and the source (original) file. The zipped folder or file will be stored in the same location as the source folder or file.
Compressing Folders
You can save a lot of hard drive real estate by compressing folders that contain large files. Compressed folders work the same way as any other folder. Here’s how:
1. Right click the folder you want to compress.
2. Select Properties (from the context menu).
3. Click the General tab (if not already selected).
4. Click Advanced Attributes.
5. Place a check in the check box to the left of Compress Contents to Save Disk Space.
6. Click OK, or press the Enter key.
For more information… drop me a line at dave@gyzmodave.com
