Organizing Digital Files: Create Folders, Locate and Rename Files

Learning how to manage your digital files is essential to staying organized and being able to easily locate downloads, documents, attachments, etc. In this guide we will go over how to locate files, rename them, create new folders, and organize the files into those folders on both Windows and Apple devices.

Locate and rename files (Windows)

1. To locate all of your files, begin by opening the file folder in the Windows task bar at the bottom of your desktop screen.

  • On this screen, you can see in the left navigation panel all the tabs and folders saved onto your computer.
  • If you have OneDrive set up, then you can also locate your OneDrive folder where files can be auto-saved from windows applications like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
  • In the panel, all of your folders will appear here as well.
file manager windows

2. Let's navigate to the Downloads tab. Looks like there is an untitled document. Let's give it a name by clicking twice on the letters.

Note: Don't double click, as this will open the file. Just click once, then twice on the lettering. Alternatively, you can simply right click, and choose the rename option.  

3. A text box will appear, now we can type in a different name for this file.  

rename folder in downloads tab
rename folder in downloads tab
Create folders (Windows)

You can create a folder in multiple tabs such as downloads, desk top, and OneDrive. The following instructions will be the same for whichever tab you choose. In this guide, we will walk you through creating folders on the desktop for easy access.  

1. Locate and select the Desktop tab.

desktop tab

2. Then, located underneath Desktop tab, Click +New > Folder.

create new folder in desktop

3. Alternatively, you can simply right click anywhere on the desktop screen select New > Folder.

create new folder on desktop by clicking on the screen

4. Rename the folder by clicking once, then again on the name, or right click then select Rename.

rename the folder

5. Watch the short video to see how to easily move the folder wherever you want on the desktop.

Locate and rename files (Mac)

1. To locate all your files, begin by opening the Finder app, located in the dock at the bottom of your desktop screen.

locate finder on mac desktop

2. On this screen, you can see in the left navigation panel all the tabs and folders saved onto your computer. Mac will show you recent files, apps, Desktop files, and downloads.

favorites panel in finder

3. Locate a file that you would like to rename. Right click > Rename. You can also click the file twice. Not a double click, simply one click of the unnamed text, then another click will highlight the text and allow you to edit.

rename a document in finder
Create folders (Mac)

In this guide, you will learn how to create and edit new desktop folders. You can create a folder in any tab, but using the desktop for your folders allows you to access important files quickly.

1. Open the Finder app on your Mac desktop.

locate finder in mac desk top

2. To create a folder in Finder, right click in the white space where there aren't any files, then select New Folder.

create a new folder in finder

3. Alternatively, you can right click anywhere on the desktop screen to create a New Folder.

right click on blank desktop screen to create a new folder

4. Once you have created your folder, right click on the folder, select Rename.

right click on folder to rename

5. Now, when you open finder, you can find the folder you created in the Desktop tab. You can move the folder to appear in the finder panel by dragging and dropping it into the Favorites section.

add folder to favorites panel

6. Your folder will appear in the favorites panel.

folder appearing in favorites panel

6. The folder will also stay located on your desktop. Now, if you have other files on your desktop you need to organize, you can add them to the folder by dragging and dropping them into the folder.

7. To do this, grab the file you want to add, drag and drop the file into the new folder. You can also move the folder anywhere you want on the screen using the same drag and drop method.

drag and drop files into folder on mac desk top

Success! Now you know how to locate, organize, and rename files and folders. No more searching through lists of unnamed documents or losing important downloads. Use these methods to keep your documents in there correct place and organize important files for quick access.

Additional Resources

Need help with something else? Visit the Technology Guides for Alamo Colleges Students. Need tech support? Contact your local IT help desk.

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