Windows XP File and Folder

Whenever information is created and saved—whether that is a document, a picture, a spreadsheet, or just about anything else—that item is saved as a file. A file can then be opened by certain applications that were written to open that kind of file. A folder is an electronic storage place in which you can organize and keep files. Although file and folder usage is quite simple on the surface, there are a number of underlying configuration problems and issues.

Folders are Windows XP containers that are designed to hold files and other folders. The purpose of folders, as you might guess is to organize information. Just like a filing cabinet needs folders in order to structure information in a logical, useful way.

Windows XP uses folders to help you store and locate information. In
fact, Windows XP even uses its own internal folders to keep operating system files organized and accessible to system files and applications. Windows XP tries to help you manage information by giving you a basic folder, which is My Documents, which also contains My Music and My Pictures. Windows XP is smart enough to understand different types of files and it will try to help you organize your information. For example, Windows XP can recognize a picture file and it will prompt you to save the file in the My Pictures folder.

You don’t have to do that of course, but this is another example of Windows XP trying to help you.

Basically, folders are a mainstay of information management and your use of them can make your work with Windows XP much easier.