From the view pane of the File Manager, you can open files as well as run (launch) executable programs by double-clicking on the icon representing them.
Creating New Folders
To create a new folder under the folder you are currently in, move the mouse to the menu bar at the top (just beneath the titlebar of the window) and click on File and then click on Create Folder. A new folder will appear on the view pane and you will have to type in the name of the new folder.
Copy Files and Folders
To copy a file, click on the file in the view pane to select it. Then select from the menu bar at the top,Edit --> Copy File
Next open up the folder in which you want to copy the file to and then select from the menu bar at the top,
Edit --> Paste Files
Another way to copy a file is to right click on the file icon and then select “Copy File”. Then navigate to the icon of the folder where you want the copy to be placed in and then right click on the folder icon and select “Paste Files into Folder”.
The procedures above can be done with folders too.
To copy more than one file or folder at a time, select multiple files/folders by holding down the CTRL key while clicking on the files or folders.
Moving Files and Folders
Moving a file or folder is different from copying in that a copy of the file/folder is not made, i.e. only one copy of the file/folder exists, and the file/folder is transferred from one folder to another.To move a file, click on the file in the view pane to select it. Then select from the menu bar at the top,
Edit --> Cut File
Next open up the folder in which you want to move the file to and then select from the menu bar at the top,
Edit --> Paste Files
Another way of moving a file is to drag and drop the file into the destination folder. The procedures above can be done with folders too.
To move more than one file or folder at a time, select multiple files/folders by holding down the CTRL key while clicking on the files or folders.
Renaming Files and Folders
To rename a file, click on the file in the view pane to select it. Then select from the menu bar at the top,Edit --> Rename
and then type in the new name.
Alternately you can also right-click on the file and then select “Rename”.
The procedures above can be done with folders too.
Deleting Files and Folders
To delete a file, click on the file in the view pane to select it. Then select from the menu bar at the top,Edit --> Move to Trash
Alternately you can select the file and then use the DELETE key on the keyboard to delete the file. This has the same effect as above of moving the file to the Trash folder. It is still possible to salvage a deleted file from the Trash. To do this double-click on the Trash icon on the desktop to open up the Trash folder. Then you can move the file you want to salvage to the desired folder. Note that if you delete the file from the Trash then it cannot be recovered anymore.
The procedures above can be done with folders too.
To delete more than one file or folder at a time, select multiple files/folders by holding down the CTRL key while clicking on the files or folders.
Viewing and Modifying the Permissions of a File or Folder
To view the owner and group of a file/folder and/or to modify its permission settings, select the file/folder and select from the menu bar at the top,File --> Properties
Click on the Permissions tab. The owner and group of the file/folder are displayed as well as the associated permissions.
Click to view screen shot Fig 3.3 Ownership and Permission Properties of a File.
To change the permissions, modify the check boxes accordingly to the new permissions desired. Click on Close to apply the changes.
Note:
It is recommended that you do not modify the default file/folder permission settings unless you know what you are doing. This is to minimize the risk of compromising the security of the files and folders.
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Tutorial: Files and Folders On Your Linux Desktop
1. The File System
2. Ownerships and Permissions
3. Using the File Manager
4. Accessing Files and Programs
5. The Trash Can
6. Using A Text Editor
