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The File Browser Window

You can access the file browser in the following ways:

  • Choose Applications ▸ System Tools ▸ File Browser.
  • While in spatial mode you may open a folder in browser mode by right clicking on that folder and choosing Browse Folder. A new file browser window will then open and display the contents of the selected folder.
  • If Nautilus is set to always open browser windows, double clicking any folder will open a browser window, see Section 6.12.2 ― Behavior Preferences.

Figure 6-5 Contents of a Folder in a File Browser Window

In some distributions of the GNOME Desktop, the Home toolbar button might have another designation, for example, Documents.

6.3.1.1. The File Browser Window Components

Table 6-2 describes the components of a file browser window.

Table 6-2 File Browser Window Components
Component Description
Menubar

Contains menus that you use to perform tasks in the file manager.

You can also open a popup menu from file manager windows. To open this popup menu right-click in a file manager window. The items in this menu depend on where you right-click. For example, when you right-click on a file or folder, you can choose items related to the file or folder. When you right-click on the background of a view pane, you can choose items related to the display of items in the view pane.
Toolbar

Contains buttons that you use to perform tasks in the file manager.

  • Back Returns to the previously visited location. The adjacent drop down list also contains a list of the most recently visited locations to allow you to return to them faster.
  • Forward Performs the opposite function to the Back toolbar item. If you have previously navigated back in time then this button returns you to the present.
  • Up Moves up one level to the parent of the current folder.
  • Reload Refreshes the contents of the current folder.
  • Home Opens your Home Folder.
  • Computer Opens your Computer folder.
  • Search Opens the search bar.
Location bar

The location bar is a very powerful tool for navigating your computer. It can appear in three different ways depending on your selection. For more on using the location bar see Section 6.3.3 ― Using the Location Bar. In all three configurations the location bar always contains the following items.

  • Zoom buttons: Enable you to change the size of items in the view pane.
  • View as drop-down list: Enables you to choose how to show items in your view pane.

Side pane

Performs the following functions:

  • Shows information about the current file or folder.
  • Enables you to navigate through your files.

To display the side pane, choose View ▸ Side Pane. The side pane contains a drop-down list that enables you to choose what to show in the side pane. You can choose from the following options:

  • Places

    Displays places of particular interest.

  • Information

    Displays the icon and information about the current folder. Buttons may appear in the side pane, these buttons enable you to perform actions on the current folder, other than the default action.

  • Tree

    Displays a hierarchical representation of your file system. You can use the Tree to navigate through your files.

  • History

    Contains a history list of files, folders, FTP sites, and URIs that you have recently visited.

  • Notes

    Enables you to add notes to your files and folders.

  • Emblems

    Contains emblems that you can add to a file or folder.

To close the side pane, click on the X button at the top right of the side pane.

View pane

Shows the contents of the following:

  • Folders
  • FTP sites
  • Windows shares
  • WebDAV servers
  • Locations that correspond to special URIs
Statusbar Displays status information.
The File Browser Window Showing and Hiding File Browser Window Components