How to Access My Computer From a Command Line
By Nachiket Deshmukh
In the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, the Windows Explorer which is a task-based file management system containing file search functionality, file type associations, web publishing, file browsing and various other features. There are various methods like keyboard shortcut, command line interface command and the Start Menu which can be used to display the Windows Explorer. The keyboard shortcut method makes it easy to view the Windows Explorer on computer systems without a mouse functionality.
Step 1
Click on the \"Start\" button and click on \"Run\" option. Type \"explorer\" in the text box and hit the \"Enter\" key or click \"OK\" button. This will access the \"My Computer\" tool and will display all the folders in a high-level view.
Step 2
It is possible to create your own command to type in the command line interface to open the \"My Computer\" tool. Right-click on the \"My Computer\" icon on desktop and click on \"Create Shortcut.\" Rename the newly-created shortcut icon to a name of your choice, say \"laptop.\" Move this shortcut to your \"C:\\" drive. Go to \"Start\" >> \"Run\" and type \"laptop\" in the text box. This will access and open the \"My Computer\" tool.
Step 3
Click on the \"Start\" button on bottom-left side of the screen in Windows XP. Click on the \"My Computer\" link displayed in the menu items to open the \"My Computer\" tool. If you cannot see the \"My Computer\" link in menu items, right-click on the \"Start:\" button and select \"Properties.\" Under the \"Start Menu\" tab, select the \"Start menu\" option, click \"OK\" and repeat this procedure.
Step 4
Press the shortcut key combination of Windows key + E to access and open the \"My Computer\" tool.
Step 5
If there is a \"My Computer\" icon on Windows XP desktop, double-click it to access and open the \"My Computer\" tool.
Tips
- You can add a \"My Computer\" shortcut to the Windows task bar for easy one-click access by dragging-and-dropping the \"My Computer\" icon from your desktop on the Windows task bar.
Writer Bio
Nachiket Deshmukh is a tech savvy professional with 11 years of experience in aerospace, engineering and IT industry. He is always on a lookout for low cost technology implementations for DIY home automation. Many of his articles have been published on eHow in personal finance and technology domains.