Locating “This PC” on Windows 10: A Real User’s Experience
Searching for “This PC” on your Windows 10 device? It’s probably simpler than you think, but let’s be honest: Windows isn’t always the easiest to navigate, is it? Just follow this straightforward guide to access your storage overview without pulling your hair out.
First up, start by using the Search function. Click the Windows icon or the Start button, usually tucked in the bottom-left corner. Or, to save a click, press Windows key + S. When the search bar appears, type in “This PC.” It should show up in the suggestions—more often than not right at the top—so you won’t need to hunt around.
When “This PC” pops up in the search results, press Enter. This opens File Explorer, and just like that—you’re looking at all your drives and folders. If you’re like most people, your important files are scattered around, and being able to see everything in one place helps save heaps of time. The left sidebar is your best friend here; it’s where you can click to explore your connected storage devices more deeply.
Once “This PC” is open, double-click any drive or folder to view its contents. It’s particularly handy for managing files—whether you’re checking your Downloads or opening old documents. Mastering quick access like this can really boost your productivity.
Quick Tips to Access “This PC” Even Faster
Once you’ve got the basics down, you might want to tweak things for quicker access. Here’s a handy trick: create a shortcut on your desktop. Right-click on the desktop background, select New > Shortcut, then enter explorer.exe shell:MyComputerFolder as the location. Click Next, give it a name like “This PC,” then hit Finish. There’s your shortcut—ready to go!
Another quick tip is pinning “This PC” to your taskbar. Open File Explorer (Windows key + E), right-click “This PC” in the sidebar, and choose Pin to taskbar. Easy! Now you’ve got one-click access whenever you need it.
If you prefer keyboard shortcuts, Windows key + E instantly opens File Explorer. You can also customise your Quick Access toolbar by right-clicking on the toolbar area and selecting Customize Quick Access Toolbar. Adding “This PC” there makes navigation a breeze.
Common Questions About “This PC”
How do I rename my PC on Windows 10?
Need to give your PC a new name? It’s straightforward. Head to Settings > System > About, and you’ll see a “Rename this PC” button. Click it, type in your preferred name, and you might need to restart your device for it to take effect. Or, for a bit more techy approach, try using PowerShell with: Rename-Computer -NewName "YourNewName" -Restart.
Can I hide drives from “This PC”?
Yes, but it’s a tad more complicated and involves editing settings through Group Policy or the Registry (gpedit.msc or regedit). Be careful with these options—if you mess up, it can cause issues. For most users, right-clicking drive icons in File Explorer and managing visibility is enough if the options are available.
How do I add personal folders to “This PC”?
Want your favourite folders visible in “This PC”? Use Windows Libraries. Right-click the folder you want to add and select “Include in library”. These libraries then appear under “This PC,” making access quick and easy.
What if “This PC” isn’t appearing at all?
If “This PC” seems to have disappeared, check your File Explorer view settings. Go to View > Options, switch to the General tab, and make sure it’s set to show “This PC.” If that doesn’t help, a registry tweak might do the trick—just proceed cautiously, as incorrect changes can cause issues.
How do I map network storage from “This PC”?
To connect to network drives, click on “Computer” or “This PC” in the File Explorer top menu, then select “Map network drive”. Enter your drive letter and network path (e.g., \\Server\Share). PowerShell users can do this with: New-PSDrive -Name Z -PSProvider FileSystem -Root '\\Server\Share' -Persist. Once set up, accessing your network storage should be smooth sailing.
Quick Checklist Before You Start
- Click the Windows icon or press the Windows key to get rolling.
- Type “This PC” or press Windows key + E for File Explorer.
- Hit Enter to open your file overview.
- Check out “This PC” in the sidebar to see your drives and folders.
- Start browsing your files confidently.
Getting familiar with quick ways to access “This PC” makes using Windows much more user-friendly and saves you a fair bit of hassle. Setting up shortcuts and custom tweaks will help you navigate less and do more. With these tips, you’ll find Windows easier to handle—whether it’s for work, study, or just organising your digital life. Hopefully, this helps save you a few hours of frustration!