PRACTICAL EXERCISE: FILE OPERATIONS IN WINDOWS OS
Objective of the Practical
By the end of this session, students should be able to:
Create a file
Open and close a file
Read from a file
Write to a file
Rename a file
Delete a file
PART 1: Preparation
Step 1: Create a Working Folder
1. Right-click on Desktop.
2. Select New → Folder.
3. Name the folder:
File_Management_Practical
4. Double-click to open the folder.
PART 2: Creating a File
Activity 1: Create a Text File
1. Inside the folder, right-click on empty space.
2. Select New → Text Document.
3. Name the file:
[Link]
4. Press Enter.
✅ You have successfully created a file.
PART 3: Opening and Writing to a File
Activity 2: Write Data into the File
1. Double-click [Link].
2. The file opens in Notepad.
3. Type the following:
Name: ___________________
Course: __________________
Unit: Operating Systems
Topic: File Operations Practical
4. Click File → Save.
5. Close Notepad by clicking the ❌ (Close button).
✅ You have opened, written, saved, and closed the file.
PART 4: Reading from a File
Activity 3: Read the File Contents
1. Double-click [Link] again.
2. Read the contents carefully.
3. Close the file.
✅ You have successfully read from the file.
PART 5: Editing (Writing Again)
Activity 4: Modify the File
1. Open [Link].
2. Add the following line at the bottom:
I have successfully completed file operations practical.
3. Click Save.
4. Close the file.
✅ You have performed another write operation.
PART 6: Renaming a File
Activity 5: Rename the File
1. Right-click on [Link].
2. Select Rename.
3. Change the name to:
File_Operations_Practice.txt
4. Press Enter.
✅ You have successfully renamed the file.
PART 7: Deleting a File
Activity 6: Delete the File
1. Right-click on File_Operations_Practice.txt.
2. Select Delete.
3. Confirm if prompted.
The file moves to the Recycle Bin.
Optional Step: Permanent Deletion
1. Open Recycle Bin.
2. Right-click the file.
3. Select Delete Permanently.
OR
Click Empty Recycle Bin.
✅ You have successfully deleted the file.
TASK QUESTIONS
Answer the following:
1. What is the difference between deleting and permanently deleting a file?
2. What happens if you close a file without saving?
3. Where does a deleted file go in Windows?
4. What is the shortcut key for:
o Save?
o Rename?
o Delete?
SHORTCUT KEYS (For Students to Learn)
Action Shortcut
Save Ctrl + S
Rename -Select file
Press F2(on the Keyboard)
Delete Select file
Press delete key Delete key
Permanent Select File
Delete: Press Shift + Delete on the keyboard
PART 8: COPYING A FILE
Objective
To create a duplicate (exact copy) of an existing file.
Activity 7: Copy a File to Another Folder
Step 1: Create a Destination Folder
1. Inside File_Management_Practical, right-click.
2. Select New → Folder.
3. Name it:
Copied Files
Step 2: Copy the File
1. Right-click your file (e.g., [Link]).
2. Select Copy.
3. Open the folder Copied_Files.
4. Right-click inside it.
5. Select Paste.
✅ You now have two identical files:
Original file (in main folder)
Copied file (inside Copied_Files)
Alternative Method (Shortcut Keys)
Select file → Press Ctrl + C
Go to destination folder → Press Ctrl + V
Important Observation for Students
If you edit the copied file, the original file does NOT change.
A copy is independent of the original.
PART 9: MOVING A FILE
🎯 Objective
To transfer a file from one location to another without leaving a copy behind.
Activity 8: Move the File
Method 1: Using Cut and Paste
1. Go back to the main folder.
2. Right-click the original file.
3. Select Cut.
4. Open a new folder (create one called):
Moved_Files
5. Open Moved_Files.
6. Right-click inside it.
7. Select Paste.
✅ The file is now moved.
It no longer exists in the original location.
Method 2: Drag and Drop
1. Click and hold the file.
2. Drag it into another folder.
3. Release the mouse button.
Shortcut Method
Select file → Press Ctrl + X (Cut)
Go to new folder → Press Ctrl + V
Student Observation
Ask students:
What is the difference between Copy and Move?
o Copy → leaves original
o Move → removes original