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Week 5 - LAB 7 - Folder Options, File Extensions and Attributes

The document outlines the structure and management of system folders in Windows 7, including 'Program Files', 'Users', and 'Windows'. It explains how to use Folder Options to customize file and folder behavior, manage file extensions, and modify file attributes such as Read-only and Hidden. Additionally, it provides instructions for viewing file extensions and changing file attributes to enhance user control over file management.

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6 views5 pages

Week 5 - LAB 7 - Folder Options, File Extensions and Attributes

The document outlines the structure and management of system folders in Windows 7, including 'Program Files', 'Users', and 'Windows'. It explains how to use Folder Options to customize file and folder behavior, manage file extensions, and modify file attributes such as Read-only and Hidden. Additionally, it provides instructions for viewing file extensions and changing file attributes to enhance user control over file management.

Uploaded by

92130063
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LAB 07

Folder Options, File Extensions and


Attributes
Microcomputer Support CSIT320

Windows System Folders


When Windows 7 was installed on your
computer, it created three system
folders:

By accessing the C:\\ drive from my


computer

“Program Files” folder Most programs


(including the programs and tools that
come with Windows 7) install the files
they need in subfolders of the Program
Files folder. (Not recommended to
install, move or delete programs in/to
different location).

“Users” accounts folder The first time you log on to the computer with a new
user account, Windows 7 creates a folder for that user account in the Users
folder. The user account folder contains Desktop, Documents, Downloads
folders …
“Windows” folder Most of the critical operating system files are stored in this
folder. You can look, but unless you really know what you are doing, don't
touch! Most Windows 7 users will never need to access the files in the
Windows folder.

Note: If you upgraded your computer from an earlier version of Windows, the
Windows folder from the earlier version might still remain on your computer.
However, it will have been renamed to Windows.old during the upgrade
process to avoid confusion.

What is Folder Options?


You can change the way files and folders function and
how items are displayed on your computer by using
Folder Options in Control Panel.
Task 1: General Folder Options

Open each folder in its own folder window. Use this


setting to keep all open folders that you're working with
on the screen at the same time.

1. Click “Open each folder in its own window”, and


then click “OK”. (To make each newly opened
folder replace the previous one, click “Open each
folder in the same window”.)

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Open files and folders with a single click (just like links on a webpage).

2. Click “Single-click to open an item (point to select)”, and then click


“OK”. (To switch back to the standard double-click, click “Double-click
to open an item (single-click to select)”.

File Names and Extensions


Each filename in Windows 7 consists of two parts: a main filename and a file
extension. The file extension, which identifies the type of file and what
program created it, is traditionally three characters, although extensions for
newer apps such as Microsoft Office Word 2007 (.docx) and Excel 2007 (.xlsx),
as well as .html for Web pages, are four characters. File extensions are
automatically assigned by the creating agent or program, and Windows 7
doesn't normally display extensions as part of filenames that appear in
Windows Explorer.

In the sections that follow, we discuss common file extensions and how they
are used on your computer.

Executables

Extension Type Description

Batch files are a series of commands that have


.bat Batch file
been sequentially typed into a text file.

Command files usually execute with only a


.cmd OS/2 command file
command shell interface.

Like the OS/2 command files, these files usually


.com MS-DOS command file
execute with only a command shell interface.

Command-line or This is the most common extension for executable


.exe
graphical program files.

Application File Extensions

Extension Type Description

Document files are usually associated with Microsoft


.doc Document File Word, but are sometimes used by installations of
WordPerfect.

Document Document templates for Microsoft Word. normal.dot is


.dot
templates the default template for new documents.

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Microcomputer Support CSIT320

.ppt files open in the PowerPoint interface and are


Microsoft
immediately editable. .pps files, when you double-click
.ppt, .pps PowerPoint
them, open directly in PowerPoint Slide Show mode and
documents
close as soon as the slide show finishes.

View Files Extensions


If you have a folder window open:

1. Select Organize, Folder and Search Options (or Tools, Folder Options if
you have the menu displayed; otherwise, click Start, type folder, and
then press Enter to select Folder Options in the search results). The
Folder Options dialog box appears.
2. Click the View tab.
3. Deactivate the Hide Extensions for Known File Types check box.
4. Click OK.

Files Attributes
All files and folders can be marked with attributes that give you limited
control over how a file or folder is used. The file attributes you can use are:

Read-only: Specifies that the file or folder is read-only and cannot be


modified.

Hidden: Specifies that the file or folder is hidden and can be viewed only if
the folder option "Show hidden files, folders, and drives" is enabled.

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Microcomputer Support CSIT320

Modify Files or Folder Attributes


You can view or change the Read-Only and
Hidden attributes on a file or folder by completing
the following steps:
1. In Windows Explorer (Shortcut  + e), right-
click the file or folder and select Properties to
display its Properties dialog box (or any file or
folder from your Desktop).

2. On the General tab, select the Read-only


checkbox to make a file or folder read-only.
Clear the Read-only checkbox to allow a file
or folder to be read and modified.

3. To hide a file or folder so that it can be


viewed only if the folder option "Show hidden
files, folders, and drives" is enabled, select the Hidden checkbox.
Otherwise, clear this checkbox to allow a file or folder to be viewed
normally.
4. Click OK to save your changes.

Generally, Windows 7 manages the System attribute. Windows 7 marks files


and folders that you shouldn't modify as system files. You can view files and
folders marked with the hidden and system attributes by completing the
following steps:
1. In Windows Explorer (Shortcut  + e), click Organize on the toolbar and
then select Folder and Search Options.

2. On the View tab, select "Show hidden files and folders" to show hidden
files and folders.

3. To show system files and folders, clear the "Hide protected operating
system files" checkbox.
4. Click OK to save your settings.

Although these attributes can be set on files and folders, anyone with access
to a disk or device can override or change these settings. This means that
without additional permission controls, these attributes provide no safeguards
for file access or deletion that someone can't override easily.
Tip: You can access hidden files and folders infected by a virus on your USB flash memory by
enabling the "Hide protected operating system files" in addition to "Show hidden files and
folders" option.

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