Windows Explorer

What is the difference between Windows Explorer and "My Computer"?

When the news came that Microsoft was ending support for Windows XP I went to
the library and got out a couple of books on Windows XP, and on reading them I
discovered that Windows Explorer and "My Computer" were different.

For nearly 10 years of using XP I thought that "My Computer" *was* Windows
Explorer, and wondered why it didn't live up to what was claimed for it. It
was supposed to copy files, but when I tried to copy files I discovered that
it only made copies of shortcuts, and did not copy the files themselves.

So to copy files I either used the DOS copy command, or shareware programs
like File Commander and Xplorer2.

Actually, even after having discovered the *real* Windows Explorer, I think
xplorer2 is better -- you can get it at:

http://www.zabkat.com/

but it just goes to show that there is no substitute for proper printed
documentation.

PS: I thought "My Computer" was horribly twee, so I changed it to "This
Computer".


--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

Steve Hayes wrote:

What is the difference between Windows Explorer and "My Computer"?

Windows Explorer is the program that lets you explore the connected devices
(eg disks) and the folders & files they contain.

"My Computer" is a top-level view within Windows Explorer, showing the list
of connected devices.

--
Jeremy C B Nicoll - my opinions are my own.

Email sent to my from-address will be deleted. Instead, please reply
to replacing "aaa" by "284".

Steve Hayes wrote:

What is the difference between Windows Explorer and "My Computer"?

Windows Explorer: explorer.exe

My Computer : explorer.exe /n ,
or: explorer.exe ,
or: explorer.exe ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
/
classID for namespace of My Computer ______/

For nearly 10 years of using XP I thought that "My Computer" *was* Windows
Explorer, and wondered why it didn't live up to what was claimed for it. It
was supposed to copy files, but when I tried to copy files I discovered that
it only made copies of shortcuts, and did not copy the files themselves.

Depends on how you dragged the files for either flavor of iexplorer and
if you are dragging within the same volume (drive) or between volumes.

On Wed, 6 Aug 2014 21:26:29 -0500, VanguardLH wrote:

Steve Hayes wrote:

What is the difference between Windows Explorer and "My Computer"?

Windows Explorer: explorer.exe

My Computer : explorer.exe /n ,
or: explorer.exe ,
or: explorer.exe ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
/
classID for namespace of My Computer ______/

Ah, I see. So they are linked.

For nearly 10 years of using XP I thought that "My Computer" *was* Windows
Explorer, and wondered why it didn't live up to what was claimed for it. It
was supposed to copy files, but when I tried to copy files I discovered that
it only made copies of shortcuts, and did not copy the files themselves.

Depends on how you dragged the files for either flavor of iexplorer and
if you are dragging within the same volume (drive) or between volumes.

I've usually tried to drag them to a different drive, for example to back them
up to an external drive or to a CD, DVD, etc., when the one thing I DON'T want
is a copy of the link, because I might be disconnecting it and using it on
another computer where the link won't go anywhere.

When it does thaty I usually resort to the DOS "copy" command, which sometimes
needs a bit more typing, especially with long file names.


--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

Steve,

when the one thing I DON'T want is a copy of the link

Drag the files using the right mousebutton, and you can than, after dropping
them, choose the action (copy, create link).

Regards,
Rudy Wieser


-- Origional message:
Steve Hayes schreef in berichtnieuws
...
On Wed, 6 Aug 2014 21:26:29 -0500, VanguardLH wrote:

Steve Hayes wrote:

What is the difference between Windows Explorer and "My Computer"?

Windows Explorer: explorer.exe

My Computer : explorer.exe /n ,
or: explorer.exe ,
or: explorer.exe ::{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}
/
classID for namespace of My Computer ______/

Ah, I see. So they are linked.

For nearly 10 years of using XP I thought that "My Computer" *was*
Windows
Explorer, and wondered why it didn't live up to what was claimed for
it. It
was supposed to copy files, but when I tried to copy files I discovered
that
it only made copies of shortcuts, and did not copy the files
themselves.

Depends on how you dragged the files for either flavor of iexplorer and
if you are dragging within the same volume (drive) or between volumes.

I've usually tried to drag them to a different drive, for example to back
them
up to an external drive or to a CD, DVD, etc., when the one thing I DON'T
want
is a copy of the link, because I might be disconnecting it and using it on
another computer where the link won't go anywhere.

When it does thaty I usually resort to the DOS "copy" command, which
sometimes
needs a bit more typing, especially with long file names.


--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop
uk

On Thu, 07 Aug 2014 08:16:11 +0200, Steve Hayes
wrote:

I've usually tried to drag them to a different drive, for example to back them
up to an external drive or to a CD, DVD, etc., when the one thing I DON'T want
is a copy of the link, because I might be disconnecting it and using it on
another computer where the link won't go anywhere.

As others have said, the default behaviour varies as to whether:
Source and destination are on the same drive Default move
Source and destination are on different drives Default copy
The source has a *.exe program extension Default link

When it does thaty I usually resort to the DOS "copy" command, which sometimes
needs a bit more typing, especially with long file names.

To force the desired behaviour just get into the habit of using
shift and control modifiers:
Control Drag Force copy
Shift Drag Force move
Control-Shift Drag Force link

TBH, I can't believe you didn't know that ...
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Java Jive,

TBH, I can't believe you didn't know that ...

How ? Its not something your computer will tell, or even hint you about,
and its also not mentioned when using the other method, the right
mousebutton drag-and-drop.

In other words: you would need to accidentily stumble over such info or
somebody needs to have told you. Its not knowledge humans get born with,
and is, when not used regulary, easy to forget (besides the "damn, which key
causes which effect again ? How/where do I check ?" problem ofcourse)

And yes, I have, in 15+ years, probably heard about, and forgotten it a
number of times too. :-\

You know what I am wondering about ? That you did not mention that right
mousebutton drag-and-drop with ts context menu ... Did you forget all about
it ? whistle :-p

Regards,
Rudy Wieser


Java Jive schreef in berichtnieuws
...
On Thu, 07 Aug 2014 08:16:11 +0200, Steve Hayes
wrote:

I've usually tried to drag them to a different drive, for example to
back them
up to an external drive or to a CD, DVD, etc., when the one thing I
DON'T want
is a copy of the link, because I might be disconnecting it and using it
on
another computer where the link won't go anywhere.

As others have said, the default behaviour varies as to whether:
Source and destination are on the same drive Default move
Source and destination are on different drives Default copy
The source has a *.exe program extension Default link

When it does thaty I usually resort to the DOS "copy" command, which
sometimes
needs a bit more typing, especially with long file names.

To force the desired behaviour just get into the habit of using
shift and control modifiers:
Control Drag Force copy
Shift Drag Force move
Control-Shift Drag Force link

TBH, I can't believe you didn't know that ...
--
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Please always reply to ng as the email in this post's
header does not exist. Or use a contact address at:
http://www.macfh.co.uk/JavaJive/JavaJive.html
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On Thu, 7 Aug 2014 18:56:05 +0200, "R.Wieser"
wrote:

Java Jive,

TBH, I can't believe you didn't know that ...

How ?

It's something so basic that I would have guessed that 99.9% of people
would learn when they first encounter Windows.

For example, the first hit for "copy files in explorer" plus following
one link gives:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/window...windows-xp.htm

Its not something your computer will tell, or even hint you about,

I've known about it so long that I can't remember for sure where I
learnt it, but I suspect that it goes right back to File Manager in
Windows 2 or 3. I learnt the vast majority of early Windows use from
the Help Pages of Windows 3.1, and I suspect that's where I learnt
that from as well. However, I've just checked the bundled Help pages
for both Windows 2000 and XP, and you're right, there's absolutely no
mention of it! All of which goes to prove that with each successive
version of Windows, the Help pages have become less helpful (as well
as the GUI becoming less ergonomically efficient).

Did you forget all about
it ? whistle :-p

I've been using PCs since my first which was a 286, so for about 30
years, and even now with my memory getting shakier than it was, I
don't find myself forgetting such very basic things.

You should resist trying to drag others down to your own level as a
way of trying to win an argument, frankly, it just makes you look
dumb. The more especially so when there isn't really an argument to
win - all that has happened is that by some obscure twist of fate
you never discovered something that most others learn very quickly,
but now you have. There's no harm in that. My original remark was
intended to convey extreme surprise rather than condemnation.
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On Thu, 07 Aug 2014 13:45:00 +0100, Java Jive
wrote:

When it does thaty I usually resort to the DOS "copy" command, which sometimes
needs a bit more typing, especially with long file names.

While we're about it, you don't need to type the file and directory
names (except a new name when renaming) - dragging a file or folder
into a DOS box copies its path into a command.

And you can also still download a utility which adds "Open a command
window here" to the right-click menu:
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/w...#2TC=powertoys
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=211471
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On Thu, 07 Aug 2014 21:48:13 +0100, Java Jive wrote:

On Thu, 07 Aug 2014 13:45:00 +0100, Java Jive
wrote:

When it does thaty I usually resort to the DOS "copy" command, which sometimes
needs a bit more typing, especially with long file names.

While we're about it, you don't need to type the file and directory
names (except a new name when renaming) - dragging a file or folder
into a DOS box copies its path into a command.

Thanks, that's useful to know.

And you can also still download a utility which adds "Open a command
window here" to the right-click menu:

No need, since one of the first things I do with a new Windows computer is put
the command window on my "desktop" for easy access, and it usually appears
quite high up in my Start menu too.




--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://khanya.wordpress.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk