A path to a folder or filename is a string of folder names where a particular file is located. For example the true path to my pictures is C:\Documents and Settings\Your user name\My Documents\My Pictures. Windows has a shortcut to it in your start menu however it is not always that easy to get to other files and folders.
How to find a path to a file?
When you are viewing a folder in a Windows Explorer window it displays an address bar containing the path to the folder.
- To get to Windows Explorer press the Windows key on your keyboard and the E key at the same time.
- Where ever you go, the path will be listed in the address bar at the top.
- If you double click on c: drive, then Documents and Settings, then your username, then Favorites, then music, the path in the address bar will look like this C:\Documents and Settings\Mitz\Favorites\Music
How to copy a file or folder path.
- When you have located the path to your file or folder, select it and make it blue.
- Then press the right mouse button while hovering over the blue area.
- A menu will appear
- Choose copy from the menu. Now you can paste it where ever you like. If you just want to store this path you can paste it onto a notepad. To paste on a notepad, right click in the blank space and choose paste.
Why would you need to know the path to a file or folder?
- Knowing where everything is kept can help when you need to backup files on your computer.
- It is great for saving your internet favorites folder. When you transfer it to a new computer you can simply paste the folder to its new location.
Notes:
- The best way to learn how your computers set up is to browse around. Explore your folder system.
- Some folder are hidden. Here’s how to show hidden files.
