File Explorer is an application that is part of the Windows 10 Operating System. It provides a graphical user interface to browse, navigate, and access all the drives, files, and folders on your computer. Your computer has many files and folders stored in different locations. File Explorer in Windows 10 helps you access the files you are searching for quite quickly and easily.
In this post, we will see how you can open and make the best use of Windows File Explorer and learn and know about its features and shortcuts.
How to Open File Explorer in Windows 10
There are multiple ways to open File Explorer in Windows 10. Through the File Explorer, you get access to all the files and folders to manage and sort them according to your requirements. You can change the layout of the items, hide certain items, and so on. But first, let us see how to access the Windows 10 File Explorer.
- Through the Taskbar – Click on the File Explorer icon on the Taskbar to open it.
- Through Search Box – Click on the Search Box situated on the taskbar, and then type in ‘File Explorer’ in it to open it. The file name is explorer.exe.
- Using the shortcut key – Click on the Windows logo key and the alphabet ‘E’ together to automatically launch the File Explorer window.
- Through the Power User Task Menu – To open the Power User Menu in Windows 10, click on the Windows logo key and the alphabet ‘X’ together. The following window will open. Click on ‘File Explorer’ option to open it.
These are a few simple ways to launch the File Explorer. Let us now look into the components and features of File Explorer.
Read: How to Get Help with File Explorer in Windows.
Features and Uses of Explorer in Windows 10
There are a number of uses and functions of File Explorer in Windows 10. You can copy, cut, and paste files and folders from one location to another. You can rename or delete a file. Zipping and e-mailing a file or folder becomes quite easy. You can also sort, manage, and change the layout of the items in the folder. If you are new to the Windows 10 Operating System, this post will help and guide you step by step through each and every part of the File Explorer. This is how the Windows 10 File Explorer looks like.
The File Explorer Ribbon consists of four main tabs – File, Home, Share, and View.
1] File – In the File tab, you can open a new file explorer window, change advanced folder and search options, change settings for opening items, get help about windows, and close the file explorer window. 
2] Home – The Home tab allows you to cut, copy, and paste the selected items to the desired locations. You can pin a folder to quick access, move selected items to the desired location, rename and delete files and folders. From the New group, you can create a new folder or a new item in the current location. This tab also allows you open files and folders, check and modify its properties, and also check its history.
3] Share – In the Share tab, you can create a zipped or compressed file containing selected items and share or email it in the form of an attachment or a link. It is possible to fax, print, and burn the selected items to a recordable disc. Advanced security allows you to manually set up advanced sharing settings related to permissions, auditing, and effective access. You can also remove access and change sharing permissions.
4] View – The View tab allows you to change the way the files and folders look. You can choose what to show in the Navigation Pane. You can choose or hide the details pane as well as the preview pane. You will find settings to change the view, layout and size of the items. You can sort and group them as well. This tab also allows you to hide the selected files or folders, show or hide hidden items, etc. 
File Explorer Keyboard Shortcuts
Here are a few Windows Explorer keyboard shortcuts that you can use to work in the File Explorer of Windows 10.
- Ctrl + N = Open a new Explorer window
- Ctrl + D = Delete the file or folder and move it to the Recycle Bin
- Ctrl + E = Go to the search box in explorer
- Ctrl + F = Go to the search box in explorer
- Shift + Delete = Permanently delete a file or folder without sending it to the Recycle Bin
- Ctrl + W = Close or exit the current Explorer window
- Alt + D = Go to the address bar
- Alt + Enter = Show the Properties of the selected file or folder
- Alt + P = Show or hide the preview pane.
These are just a few basic shortcuts that I have mentioned that you could use in order to get your work done faster and easier.
This is how you can make the best use of the Windows 10 File Explorer. So feel free to customize Explorer and make changes to the layout, view, navigation pane, and the size of the files and folders.
Read next: Windows File Explorer Tips and Tricks
I hope this was easy and simple to understand for beginners.
