A disk drive can have one or more
volumes, but volumes can have only one file system. The Windows file
system is hierarchical and structured like a tree’s canopy .
Strangely, though, the top folder of the file system is called the
“root,” and each folder is a branch that can contain other folders or
files. Folders represent positions in the file system; files are
containers that hold data of various kinds and are classified by file
type. Explorer gives you a flattened view of the file system.
Windows Explorer file system
There’s one extra complexity you should be
aware of: The file system can contain “virtual objects” (drives,
folders, and files). In Unix or Linux these objects are called
“pointers”; they point to a real object somewhere else. Windows calls
these virtual objects shortcuts.
Several objects that you see, such as the
Desktop and My Documents folders, are shortcuts to the same named
folders in your user profile, found at <Drive Letter>/Users/<User Name>,
but they are shown in artificial positions in the file system hierarchy
that Explorer displays. Libraries are special virtual folders that can
point to multiple locations on a local file system, as well as on other
file systems. With this as background, let’s run Explorer through its
paces.
To open Explorer
• To show the Libraries folder, click the Explorer tile in the tile-based interface, or the Explorer icon in the Desktop taskbar.
Windows Explorer tile in the metro interface
Windows Explorer icon in the desktop taskbar
• Right-click the lower-right corner of the Desktop, and select Windows Explorer from the Computer Management menu . Explorer opens a system and devices view.
Windows in the Computer Management menu
• To open Explorer to the Computer view , with storage devices and a Computer ribbon, press 
+E.
Computer view
Tip
If there is a folder that you commonly use,
you can add it to the Favorites section of the Navigation pane for easy
access. Open the folder in the Content pane, right-click the Favorites
icon, and select Add Current Location for Favorites from the context
menu. The folder will now be listed whenever Explorer opens. You can
also drag and drop folders to the Favorites list.
