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Finding a file:
Newer Mac OSes use a subprogram called Sherlock to search the contents of a computer for a specific file. To use it, press Apple+F in Finder. You can also find this in the Apple menu in OS 9, or the Finder menu in OS X.

Windows machines have a "Find" feature in the Start menu, from which you can choose several options. The most important option is the "Files or Folders," which you use to search for files on your own computer. You can specify which drive to look on, which folders to look in, etc.

Opening files:
You may be used to opening folders while closing the folder containing a file as you open that file. For example, you have browsed to your "School" folder and want to open up the file "Presentation." If you hold the "Option" button on the keyboard while you double click, you will open up the document, and the "School" folder will close itself, further keeping your working area clean. Mac OSX has slightly upgraded their file browsing structure, which now works very similar to Windows Explorer on Windows-based machines.

You will probably find it much easier to navigate the contents of your computer by using "Windows Explorer” (which can be found by going through the Start >> Programs >> Accessories menu). Explorer has a left-side navigation system with a hierarchical structure. Opening Windows Explorer on its own will set you to a default starting location of either your "C" drive, or your "My Documents" folder. In normal navigation of your "C" drive (not in Windows Explorer; this is done by double-clicking your way through icons on the desktop), if you hold the "Shift" button while double clicking a folder to open, Windows Explorer will open, set with an opening location of that folder on your hard drive.

Renaming a File:
In the Mac OS, to rename a file you simply click its filename. In Windows, you must right-click a file and select "Rename" from the menu.

Directory structure:
You may find yourself lost when browsing files on your computer. On a Mac, simply hold down the Apple button when clicking a title bar, and a selectable listing will pop down showing the path to that file on your hard drive.

Windows Explorer makes this simple by providing an actual hierarchical structure in the view, which you can scroll up, down, left, and right to view every possible file path.

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