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To store new information in a file cabinet, you grab a manila folder, scrawl a name across the top, and start stuffing it with information. To store new information in Windows Vista — a new batch of letters to the hospital's billing department, for example — you create a new folder, think up a name for the new folder, and start stuffing it with files.
Working with new folders
To create a new folder quickly, click Organize from the folder's toolbar buttons and choose New Folder from the drop-down menu. If you don't spot a toolbar, here's a quick and foolproof method:
1. Right-click inside your folder and choose New.
The all-powerful right-click shoots a menu out the side.
2. Select Folder.
Choose Folder, as shown in Figure 1, and a new folder appears in the folder, waiting for you to type a new name.
Figure 1: Right-click where you want a new folder to appear, choose New, and select Folder from the menu.
3. Type a new name for the folder.
A newly created folder bears the boring name of New Folder. When you begin typing, Windows Vista quickly erases the old name and fills in your new name. Done?
4. Save the new name by either pressing Enter or clicking somewhere away from the name you've just typed.
If you mess up the name and want to try again, right-click the folder, choose Rename, and start over.
Keep the following points in mind about folders:
- Certain symbols are banned from folder (and file) names. The following section spells out the details, but you never have trouble when using plain old letters and numbers for names.
 | - Shrewd observers notice that in Figure 1, Windows offers to create many more things than just a folder when you click the New button. Right-click inside a folder anytime you want to create a new shortcut or other common items.
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- Confused observers may remark that their right-click menu looks different than the one shown in Figure 1. There's nothing wrong; installed programs often add their own items to the right-click list, making the list look different on different PCs.
Using legal folder names and filenames
Windows is pretty picky about what you can and can't name a file or folder. If you stick to plain old letters and numbers, you're fine. But don't try to stick any of the following characters in there:
: / \ * | < > ? "
If you try to use any of those characters, Windows Vista bounces an error message to the screen, and you have to try again. Here are some illegal filenames:
1/2 of my homework
JOB:2
ONE<TWO
He's no "gentleman"
These names are legal:
Half of my term paper
JOB=2
Two is bigger than one
A #@$%) scoundrel
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