Recently I was helping someone with a new computer. I’ve noticed that for most people, figuring out a new computer can be arduous, mostly because it isn’t set up the way you like it. Over time, you find all the options and change them, but initially, everything seems to take twice as long because it doesn’t work the way your OLD computer did.
One of the most annoying options for a lot of people are the folder settings. If you aren’t used to each folder opening in a separate window, you can end up with a desktop filled with zillions of windows. To change this setting in Windows 98, double-click My Computer or go into Windows Explorer. Choose View|Folder Options. On the General tab, click the Custom radio button and click the Settings button. Under "Browse Folders as follows" choose "Open each folder in the same window" and click OK to avoid creating all those extra windows when you navigate your hard disk.
I’ve mentioned this setting before a long time ago, but it bears repeating. By default, Windows does not show all your files in the file listings and doesn’t show file extensions. This lack of information causes no end of confusion. So, while you are in the Folder Options dialog box, click the View tab. Make sure that there is no check mark next to Hide File extensions for known file types, and that there IS a checkmark next to Show File Attributes in Detail View. Also be sure under Hidden Files that Show all files is selected. Click Apply.
In Windows 98, different folders can have different view options. So when you click the Apply button, you are making the changes affect the current folder. To make the change affect all folders, click the Like Current Folder button, and click the Yes button to confirm the change.
Learning to work effectively with files and folders is a major key to working with computers. Virtually, every type of computer has files that are saved in folders or directories. Once you’ve got the options set for efficient file management, you’ll feel a lot more comfortable with your new computer.