Windows Server 2003 in a Nutshell

Files and folders can be accessed in numerous ways. For example, to access the file compmgnt.msc which opens the Computer Management Console, you can do any of the following and more:

• Start Windows Explorer browse the folder hierarchy in the lefthand pane until C:\Winnt\System32 is selected browse the righthand pane to find compmgnt.msc .

• Right-click on System32 in Windows Explorer and select Search from the shortcut menu.

• Start Search Look in Browse select System3 2 All or part of the file name comp Search.

• Start Run C:\Winnt\System32 browse to find compmgnt.msc .

• Command prompt start C:\Winnt\System32 browse to find compmgnt.msc .

• Computer Management Disk Management right-click on C : drive select Open or Explore.

• Internet Explorer type C:\Winnt\System32 into the address box press Enter .

• Make the System32 folder a favorite if you want to access it again easily.

• Right-click on the desktop New Shortcut C:\Winnt\System32 Next Finish.

  This creates a shortcut on your desktop to the System32 folder. Double-click on this shortcut to open the folder, and browse to find compmgnt.msc .

• Go to another computer in the forest, log on as Administrator, then do this:

  Start Run \\ computername \C$\Winnt\System32 and browse to find compmgmt.msc

  You can also enter this UNC path into Internet Explorer and get the same result.

Windows Explorer

The main tool for accessing files and folders is Windows Explorer, an all-in-one browsing tool that can be used to browse the filesystem of the local computer, shared folders and printers on the network, objects in Active Directory, and web content on the Internet. Other similar tools (My Computer and My Network Places) are simply different views of Windows Explorer. While Internet Explorer is a different tool, it cooperates seamlessly with Windows Explorer to give a unified browsing experience from the local computer to the Internet.

You can start Windows Explorer various ways:

Start Windows Explorer

Start Programs Accessories Windows Explorer

Right-click on My Computer Explore

Right-click on My Network Places Explore

Internet Explorer type C : in Address bar Enter click Folders button on toolbar

Command prompt explorer.exe

Windows Explorer displays resources in a familiar two-pane view called Explorer view, with the left pane showing the hierarchy of resources being browsed and the right pane displaying the contents of the folder, volume, or other container object selected in the left pane. Some of the more useful menu and toolbar options include:

Search button

This changes the left pane to the Search Assistant and searches for files or folders on local or remote computers.

History button

This changes the left pane to a History folder that lists files you have recently accessed.

View Thumbnails

This new view displays a thumbnail image of files and is particularly useful for identifying images and web pages in a folder.

View Customize This Folder

This starts a wizard to help you customize the folder by adding a background picture or folder comment or basing it on an HTML template. For example, you could modify an HTML template to customize it with your company's logo.

Favorites

This menu option is not just for web pages; it can also be used to provide fast access to local drives or folders and to shares on the network.

Tools Folder Options

Use this to configure various options for displaying files and folders.

Tools Synchronize

Use this to synchronize offline folders.

Command Prompt

The command interpreter cmd.exe can also be used to access files and folders. See cmd in Chapter 5 for details on using this tool.