EXPLORE THE BIG PICTURE

Think of your computer as a file cabinet with many drawers, sections, folders, and files.  Click on the picture below to view the best Explorer Window for organizing and backing up files.

There are many ways to get this view.  The easiest way is to use the keyboard shortcut: Windows-button + e.  The other ways to get an Explorer Window is by opening My Computer, or My Documents and then clicking on the Folders button to see a split view.

Observe the parts of this Window:

Desktop

My Computer

My Documents

Start button

Task Bar

Folder View

Contents View

Removable Drive (E:)

View Menu

MOVE FILES & FOLDERS FROM COMPUTER TO THUMB-DRIVE

Plug Thumb-drive into USB port and confirm connection via Explorer Window.  Click on the Folder you want to copy on the Contents View (right) side and drag it over to the Thumb-Drive on the Folder View (left) side.

Remove Thumb-Drive when all files are transferred and programs are closed.

EDIT FILES ON YOUR THUMB-DRIVE ON A DIFFERENT COMPUTER

Plug Thumb-drive into USB port and confirm connection via Explorer Window.  Right click on the file you want to work with on the Contents View side.  Select Open > With and Choose the program you want to use.  Be sure to Save changes and they will be saved to the Thumb-Drive as long as it is plugged in.

MOVE FILES & FOLDERS FROM THUMB-DRIVE TO YOUR COMPUTER

Plug Thumb-drive into USB port and confirm connection via Explorer Window.  Click on the Removable Drive and drag the folders/files you want from the Contents View side to the location on your computer on the Folder View side.  Confirm replacement dates for newer files.

BACKUP IMPORTANT FILES ON THUMB-DRIVES, CDS, OR ONLINE

Keep your eyes open to on-line backup storage provided by companies like AT&T and Go to My PC.