Files are the individual documents that you save from within applications, such as Word and Excel, and you use folders and subfolders to organize several files into groups or categories, such as by project or by customer. The purpose of a file system, of course, is to locate and use the files and folders on your computer.

    A folder is a container for storing programs and files, similar to a folder in a file cabinet.

As with a file cabinet, it is frustrating and time-consuming to search through irrelevant, misnamed, and out-of-date files to find the one you want. Windows allows you to organize folders and files in a file hierarchy, imitating the way you store paper documents in real folders.

    Using the file management tools, you can save files in folders with appropriate names for easy identification, quickly and easily create new folders so you can reorganize information, and delete files and folders that you no longer need. You can also search for a file when you cannot remember where you stored it, create shortcuts to files and folders for quick and easy access, and even compress files and folders to save space.

    A folder can hold different types of files, such as text, spreadsheets, and presentations.

The Documents folder is the default location in Windows 7 where you store your files. However, there are some special folders, such as Pictures and Music, designed with specialized features to store specific types of files.

Creating a Folder

You can create any number of folders and even store folders inside other folders. Folders located inside other folders are often called subfolders. 

    To create a folder, follow the following steps :

  1. Go to the location ( either a drive or a folder or the desktop ) where you want to create a new folder.
  2. Right-click a blank area on the desktop or in the folder window, point to New, and then click Folder. Following shortcut menu appears when right-clicked on the Desktop.  

  3. Type a name for the new folder, and then press ENTER. 

    The new folder you created appears in the location you specified.

Renaming a File or Folder 

  1. Locate the file or folder you want to rename by using Windows Explorer.
  2. Right-click the item and choose Rename from the shortcut menu. The shortcut menu is shown in the following figure :  

  3. The filename is now available for editing. Type a new file name.
  4. Press ENTER or click anywhere outside the filename to save it.
Deleting a File or Folder 
When a file or folder is deleted from the computer's hard drive, it goes into Recycle bin before final deletion. In other words, it is not permanently deleted. Moreover, Recycle bin provide you the facility to restore the deleted file and folders in case you delete anything by mistake. Restore command restores the object to the location from where it was deleted. Once you delete an item from the Recycle bin, it cannot be restored. 
To delete a file or folder, follow the following steps:
  1. Select the file or folder you wish to delete.
  2. Press DELETE from the keyboard or select Delete from the shortcut menu when the item is right-clicked. A message box is displayed on your screen:  

  3. Click on Yes button if you are sure to delete this file or folder.  
          The files move in Recycle bin from the current location.
          If you"re sure you want to permanently delete a file or folder ( without being moved to the Recycle bin first ), click the item to select it. Press SHIFT + DELETE and click Yes to confirm the permanent deletion.