THE WINDOWS EXPLORER IS AN ORGANIZED LISTING OF ALL SOFTWARE INSTALLED IN YOUR COMPUTER.  This is, without a doubt, the most useful (and used) feature of any recent Windows operating system.  It is constructed in `tree' fashion with "C:" as being the upside-down `root' of the tree and all programs (or user files) existing as branches called directories (or `folders') extending from the trunk of the tree.  Beneath most folders (but not all) are sub-folders that take you to different sub-parts of the main folder.  In essence, it is a big filing cabinet with drawers (main folders) filled with sub-folders.  In those folders and sub-folders are FILES which contain ALL `SYSTEM', `APPLICATION', and `USER' data.  If you grasp this point, you are ready to go on.

Looking at the capture below, you will see that I opened the "My Documents" folder (on the left) before I took the picture.   When I opened `My Documents', the contents appeared in the window on the right screen.  It is important to note that the right screen shows sub-folders (which contain things like all my Excel files) and the files in the `root '(My Documents) folder showing file names, size, type, and the dates they were created.

From Win Explorer you can do all kinds of stuff like creating folders, organizing your data, renaming folders and files, backing up files to a CD, etc. etc.  A good knowledge of this program will put you `in charge' of your data and save you a lot of grief when you can't find something.