Undoubtedly, a user of any level of training in one way or another came across a standard Windows program called “Explorer”. She is familiar to everyone. What is the program "Explorer" for Windows designed for, in basic aspects, approximately all users know. But the application itself has a number of interesting features that will now be described.
What is Windows Explorer?
Before dealing with the question of what "Explorer" in the computer is for, we will find out what kind of program it is at its core.
In general, this application is generally considered to be a file manager, in other words, a tool for viewing the contents of hard drives and logical partitions, removable media in the form of optical disks and USB devices, as well as a fairly powerful tool for managing all of these contents .
But if this was the case on older Windows systems, over time the program improved more and more and became transformed into a means of performing specific operations and even adjusting system parameters. That is, it became possible to access, for example, the “Control Panel” and all its components or view information about a computer system.
So, if we consider this topic from this point of view, it can be noted that the Explorer program is designed to manage folders and files, to view and change parameters and settings, as well as to perform additional operations. But more on that later.
How did it all start?
And it all started quite prosaically. Even before the release of the first version of Windows, work was usually performed on a DOS system. To enter commands to invoke a particular operation or to open and edit files, not to mention clearly organizing the data, was extremely inconvenient.
It was then that one of the first, if not the very first Norton Commander file manager appeared , which today most users call "Grandfather Norton." It had a two-pane structure — two main windows with a working area, and it allowed controlling the contents of disks in terms of simple operations (copying, deleting, opening, etc.). But the application had to constantly move to the main line in order to enter or exit a folder or section.
Therefore, Microsoft Corporation, borrowing from the "Commander" all the best, created its own program, which later became the usual "Explorer". It also had two windows, but in the left the tree structure of folders (and then additional items) was displayed, and in the right - the contents of the selected section. Thus, content navigation has become much more convenient.
What is Windows Explorer for?
Now let's look at the main features of the application. What is “Explorer” for? First of all, for viewing files and folders (this is its main function). Thanks to the tree structure, you can open the full list of folders, rather than search, say, the desired directory by the type of "Norton".
Despite the constant change in the application, the program interface remains almost unchanged, the difference is only in additional elements and features. All the same address bar, standard main menu bar and toolbar, two windows, status bar, often disabled by default, etc.
But, on the other hand, the question of what “Explorer” is intended for in the latest versions of Windows has another answer. It can be noted that quite interesting tools have appeared here. For example, to write data to disk, now you do not need to use third-party programs, because the system has its own recording tool (which was not available in older versions). However, there are enough opportunities.
Special data structuring operations
If we talk specifically about organizing the contents of the computer, you can use the "View" menu display tools, which provide several options for sorting data, say, by size, date of creation or change, it is possible to group them by similar characteristics, etc.
On the other hand, considering the question of what “Explorer” is for, we can say that it is also a means of displaying hidden data that is normally inaccessible to the user, since changing them from the point of view of the system is undesirable. To do this, use the view menu, where in a new window on a special tab and sets the appropriate parameter.
In the context menu, you can use many additional commands, up to customizing the appearance of folders. Not to mention some additional features like quick search for objects by name or with different attributes and extensions, which, by the way, are duplicated in most cases in sections of the main menus, taskbars and in the toolbox.
What is Explorer for the computer for, and where is it located?
Among the additional features, it is worth noting directly the direct sending of data in the form of an e-mail message, however, provided that the mail client is configured, permission and removal of shared access to files and directories, sorting of media content into pre-defined folders for video, audio and graphics.
In the latest versions of Windows, you can even use automatic synchronization with One Drive cloud storage, as well as get quick access to recently used documents and folders.
Now let's see where in the system the explorer.exe program executable file is located. There is no need to go far - this is the root directory of Windows on the disk where the system is installed.
Ways to call the "Explorer"
Regarding the launch of the program, there are several most common methods. The longest is the use of the main Start menu, where, depending on the version of Windows, a section of standard or utility programs is selected.
Another method is to use the right click on the “Start” button, where the “Explorer” launch line is selected.
The third method is to enter the explorer.exe command in the Run menu, which, in turn, can be called up either through the standard Start-up, or by a combination of Win + R.
But the fastest and easiest way is a combination of Win + E. They often forget about it or simply do not know about it. But she is the most convenient from the point of view of saving time.
Possible problems in the program
So, what “Explorer” is intended for, it seems, is more or less clear. Let's look at the main types of failures in the application.
Most often, the program may freeze at the time of copying, deleting, or moving data that has either errors or is protected from such actions. Sometimes the problem lies in the excessive use of system resources. Usually, even when a blank screen appears, after a few minutes, the work is restored. In some cases, system errors on disks can lead to such violations. To fix it, it is recommended that you simply check the system partition using the built-in tools or with commands like chkdisk (with various varieties of additional parameters, say / f / r in the Run menu with automatic fix for failures and repairing damaged clusters. You can also use the command line (cmd) where sfc / scannow is written.
But most often the incorrect shutdown of the "Explorer" is associated with the penetration of viruses and executable malicious codes into the system. As already clear, in such a situation you have to clean the computer. If a standard protection tool missed the threat, it is better to use portable utilities or recovery disks that download antivirus software before Windows starts.