Using The Windows 95 Briefcase

If you regularly carry files on floppy disks between work and home, you may be interested to know that Windows 95 contains a feature called a Briefcase that can help you keep your files straight. Using a Briefcase, you can automatically synchronize your files between the office and home. Ensure the time and date are correct on both PCs before using this feature!

To use a Briefcase, you must first install it, since it is not installed by default except on laptops. To do this, go to the Windows 95 Control Panel, and double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon. Click on the Windows Setup tab across the top. Highlight the Accessories line, and press the Details button. Check the box next to Briefcase, and click the OK button. Click the next OK button to close the Add/Remove Programs dialog. You may be prompted to insert your Windows 95 disks or CD-ROM so Windows can copy files that it needs. Once the process is complete, you will find a My Briefcase icon on your desktop.

Drag the Briefcase to a blank floppy disk. This will actually move the Briefcase to the disk. Next, find the files you want to take home, and drag your files to copy them into your Briefcase. When you want to work on a file at home, open the copy of the document now located inside the "A:\My Briefcase" folder. When you are finished, save it there. The next day at work, open your Briefcase from the floppy and choose Update All from the Briefcase menu. This will automatically synchronize your files by copying your changes to your office computer. During the day work on your files in their normal locations on your computer's hard drive. At the end of the day, open your Briefcase and choose Update All again to copy any updated files to your Briefcase to take home.

May 1998

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