The Computer window is the starting point to access every disk, folder, and file on your computer. You can access the Computer window from the Start menu. The Computer window displays several types of local, removable, and network drives. Drives and folders are represented by icons. Each drive is assigned a drive letter, denoted with parentheses and a colon, such as Local Disk (C:), to make it easier to identify. Typically, the floppy is drive A, the hard (also known as local) disk is drive C, and the CD or DVD is drive D. If your computer includes additional drives, your computer assigns them letters in alphabetical order. Once you open more than one drive or folder, you can use buttons on the Command bar to help you move quickly between folders.
Open and View the Computer
Click the Start button, and then click Computer.
Click a drive to select it.
Review the drive details in the Details pane.
Double-click the drive to open it.
Click the Back button or Forward button on the toolbar to return or move to a previously visited window.
Timesaver:
You can press the Backspace key to go back to a previous folder you visited.
You can add the Computer icon to the desktop.Right-click the desktop in a blank area, click Personalize, click Change desktop icons in the left pane, select the Computer check box, and then click OK.
You can find Windows system information in Computer. Click the Start button, click Computer, click System properties on the toolbar.
You can find drive or device properties in Computer. Click the Start button, click Computer, click the drive or device, click Properties on the toolbar, and then click the General tab.
Typical Disk Drives on a Computer
Icon
Type Description
Local
A hard magnetic disk (or hard disk) on which you can store large amounts of data. The Local Disk (C:) stores all the files on your computer.
Floppy
A soft removable magnetic disk that comes in a 3½-inch size, which stores up to 1.44 MB of data. Floppy disks are slower to access than a hard disk, but are portable and much less expensive.
Removable
A removable magnetic disk on which you can store computer data, such as a Zip disk (requires software). Another is a Flash memory card the size of a large stamp that holds128, 256, 512 MB or greater. Flash drives connect directly into a USB plug without software.
CD-ROM
Compact Disc-Read-Only Memory An optical disk on which you can stamp, or burn, up to 1 GB (typical size is 650 MB) of data in only one session. The disc cannot be erased or burned again with additional new data.
CD-R
Compact Disc-Recordable A type of CD-ROM on which you can burn up to 1 GB of data in multiple sessions. The disc can be burned again with new data, but cannot be erased.
CD-RW
Compact Disc-Rewriteable A type of CD-ROM on which you can read, write, and erase data, just like a hard disk.
DVD
Digital Video Disc A type of DVD-ROM that holds a minimum of 4.7 GB, enough for a full-length movie.
DVD-R
Digital Video Disc-Recordable A type of DVD-ROM on which you can burn up to 4.7 GB of data in multiple sessions. The disc can be burned again with new data, but cannot be erased.
DVD-RW
Digital Video Disc-Rewriteable A type of DVD-ROM on which you can read, write, and erase data, just like a hard disk.
Click the Start button, and then click Computer.
Click a drive to select it.
Review the drive details in the Details pane.
Double-click the drive to open it.
Click the Back button or Forward button on the toolbar to return or move to a previously visited window.
When you’re done, click the Close button.