File: a file is a collection of data in a single unit in any format, viz, Word Document, PDF, JPG, MP3 or any other format. It is identified by a name and file extension such as .doc, .docx etc.

For eg.: Document.docx, photo.jpg.


Folder: a folder is a virtual location in which various files and sub-folders can be stored. It helps in organising and managing files simultaneously.

For eg.: a separate folder for documents, a separate folder for images etc.


Difference between Files and Folders:

Following are the differences among files and folders: -


  1. Files are the collection of data whereas, folders are the collection of files or sub-folders.
  2. Files have various formats like jpg, png, doc, pdf etc. whereas, folders do not have any such format.
  3. Files have size and consume memory/storage in bytes, kilobytes etc. whereas, folders have no size and consume no memory.
  4. A file has an extension. For eg.: Document.docx. Whereas, a folder does not have any extension.  


Creating a file in an application:

Steps to create a file in an application are as follows: -


  1. Right-click anywhere in an empty space on desktop or in a folder.
  2. Click “New” option in the context menu.
  3. Choose the desired file type like text document, word document etc.
  4. Name the file and press enter.
  5. Your file is created.


Creating a Folder:

Steps to create a folder are as follows: -


  1. Right-click anywhere in empty space on desktop.
  2. Click “New” option in the context menu.
  3. Click on folder from the sub-menu.
  4. Name the folder and press enter.
  5. Your folder is created.


Copying files in a folder:

Steps to copy files in a folder are as follows: -


  1. Go to the files you want to copy.
  2. Select the desired files, then left-click and press copy, or simply use short-cut key “Ctrl+C’ to copy the selected files.
  3. Go to the location where you want to copy those files.
  4. Press “Ctrl+V” (short-cut key) to paste/copy your files to the desired location.
  5. Your files are copied.


Creating Copy of a File:

Steps for creating copy of a file are as follows: -


  1. Go to the file you want to copy.
  2. Select the file and press “Ctrl+C”.
  3. Go to the location where you want to create a copy of the file.
  4. Press “Ctrl+V”.
  5. The copy of the file is created.


Creating Sub-folders:

Steps for creating a sub-folder are as follows: -


  1. Go to the parent folder wherein you want to create the subfolder.
  2. Right-click on the empty space within the parent folder.
  3. Select “New” option in the context menu.
  4. Click on “Folder” from the sub-menu.
  5. Type a name and press enter.
  6. Your sub-folder is created.


Moving files/folders:

Steps to move a file/folder are as follows: -


  1. Click on the file/folder you want to move.
  2. Press “Ctrl+X” (Shortcut Key) or right-click on the selected files or folders and select “Cut” from the context menu.
  3. Go to the folder/destination where you want to move the selected files/folders.
  4. Press “Ctrl+V” (Shortcut Key) or right-click and select “Paste”.
  5. Your file/folder is successfully moved.


Renaming files/folders:

Steps for renaming a file/folder are as follows: -


  1. Select/Go to the file/folder to be renamed.
  2. Right-click on it.
  3. Select “Rename” from the context menu.
  4. Type the new name for the file/folder.
  5. Press enter to apply the new name.
  6. Your file/folder is successfully renamed.