To open a file in Windows, you typically use the built-in file browser, called File Explorer, to locate the file and then perform an action to open it with its associated program.
Accessing File Explorer
The quickest way to begin is by opening File Explorer.
As stated in the reference: Pressing the Windows key (usually near the bottom-left corner of the keyboard) and E together opens your file browser, which is called File Explorer.
This keyboard shortcut is a universal method to launch the application you'll use to browse your computer's files and folders.
Useful Keyboard Shortcut
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open File Explorer | Windows key + E |
Navigating to Your File
Once File Explorer is open, you need to navigate through the folders and drives on your computer to find the specific file you wish to open.
- Drive Navigation: The drives on your computer, such as your main C: drive or any connected external drives, appear in the left panel of File Explorer. Click on a drive to see its contents.
- Folder Navigation: Double-click on folders in the main panel to open them and view their contents. You can use the navigation bar at the top of the window (showing the current path like
This PC > Local Disk (C:) > Users > YourName > Documents) or the back/forward arrows to move between locations. - Searching: If you know the file name or type, you can use the search bar in the top-right corner of the File Explorer window to find it quickly within the current folder or drive.
Opening the File
Once you have located the file you want to open in File Explorer, there are several common ways to open it:
- Double-Click: The most common method is to quickly double-click the file icon with your left mouse button. Windows will automatically open the file using the default program associated with that file type (e.g., a
.docxfile will open in Microsoft Word, a.jpgfile in Photos or Paint, a.pdfin a PDF reader). - Press Enter: With the file selected (highlighted), you can press the
Enterkey on your keyboard. This performs the same action as double-clicking. - Right-Click and Open: Right-click on the file icon to bring up a context menu. Select "Open" from the menu. This is useful if double-clicking is difficult or if you want to see other options.
- Right-Click and "Open with": If you want to open the file with a program other than the default one, right-click the file, select "Open with," and then choose from the list of installed programs.
By using File Explorer to find your file and then one of the methods above, you can easily access and open any file on your Windows computer.
