This article explains several methods by which you can open a file using a Windows computer. If the program or app used to create the file is already installed on your system, you can open it using this tool. Alternatively, you can access the file using the Windows "File Explorer" window or the "Documents" folder.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use the File Explorer Window
Step 1. Press the key combination ⊞ Win + E to open the system "File Explorer" window
Normally the Windows key is located at the bottom left of the computer keyboard. Press the two indicated keys simultaneously.
Step 2. Navigate to the folder that contains the file to open
All memory drives connected to your computer are listed in the left pane of the "File Explorer" window. Click on the drive icon or folder you want to view the corresponding content in the main window pane (located on the right).
- The files you downloaded from the web are usually stored inside the folder Download. Click on the arrow icon next to the item This PC to expand the corresponding section and be able to click on the folder Download.
- If you don't know the location of the file you want to open, click on the icon This PC listed in the left pane of the window, type the file name (or part of the name) into the search bar in the upper right corner of the "File Explorer" window and press the Enter key.
Step 3. Double-click the file you want to open
To perform this step, the default app associated with the file format in question will be used.
- If you need to select a specific app to open the file, select it with the right mouse button, choose the option Open with from the context menu that will appear, then select the application to use. Visit this website https://www.openwith.org to find out how to select the correct app to open a specific file format.
- If it is a compressed archive (for example in ZIP format), select it with the right mouse button and choose the option Extract here. A new folder will be created within the current directory. At this point, you will be able to consult the contents of the compressed file by double clicking on the new folder that appears.
Method 2 of 3: Using the Native File Application
Step 1. Launch the app you want to use
For example, if you need to open a Microsoft Word document, you will first need to start the Word program.
- All apps installed on your computer can be accessed directly from the "Start" menu. Normally, the "Start" menu icon is located in the lower left corner of the desktop. To view the complete list of all applications, you will need to click on the item All apps or All programs, depending on the version of Windows you are using.
- You can also open an app using the Windows search bar. Click on the magnifying glass icon next to the "Start" button, type the name of the program you want to search for (for example word), then click on the app icon that will appear in the list of results.
Step 2. Click on the File menu and choose the option You open.
Normally, the menu File it is visible on the program menu bar at the top of the window. After selecting the item You open, the "File Explorer" window should appear which will allow you to select the file to open.
- In some menus, the option File has been replaced by a folder icon.
- If the menu File is not visible, try looking for a menu or button named You open.
Step 3. Browse for the file you want to open
If the latter is not listed in the appeared list, you will need to access the folder in which it is stored. To perform this step, use the folders and drives listed within the left pane of the "File Explorer" or "Windows Explorer" window.
Step 4. Select the file to open and click the Open button
In this way, the chosen file will be opened within the app, giving you the opportunity to consult its content and modify it.
Method 3 of 3: Use the Document Folder
Step 1. Open the "Documents" folder
Many of the Windows apps, by default, save their files in the "Documents" folder. To access the latter, you can use several methods:
- Click on the "Start" button, which is usually located in the lower left corner of the desktop, then click on the folder Documents;
- Click on the circular or magnifying glass icon located to the right of the "Start" button, type the keyword documents into the search bar that will appear and finally click on the folder Documents which will appear in the search results list;
- Double-click the folder shortcut icon Documents displayed on the desktop;
- Double click on the icon This PC or Computer located on the desktop, then double-click the folder Documents.
Step 2. Double-click the icon of the file you want to open
The latter will be opened using the system default app, giving you the ability to view and edit its content.
- If you wish, you can open the file in question using a program other than the default one. Select the file icon with the right mouse button, choose the item Open with, then choose the app to use.
- Visit this website https://www.openwith.org to find out how to select the correct app to open a specific file format.
Advice
- Free programs created to view the contents of certain file formats are as good a solution as using the original software that created the file you want to open.
- Files that are sent to you as e-mail attachments can be opened with a simple double click of the mouse, if the appropriate software is already present on your computer.
