4.6. Selecting IconsBefore you can delete, rename, move, copy, or otherwise tamper with any icon, you have to be able to select it somehow. By highlighting it, you're essentially telling Windows what you want to operate on. 4.6.1. Use the MouseTo select one icon, just click it once. To select multiple icons at oncein preparation for moving, copying, renaming, or deleting them en masse, for exampleuse one of these techniques:
Tip: The Ctrl key trick is especially handy if you want to select almost all the icons in a window. Press Ctrl+A to select everything in the folder, then Ctrl-click any unwanted subfolders to deselect them. 4.6.2. Use the KeyboardYou can also highlight one icon, plucking it out of a sea of pretenders, by typing the first couple letters of its name . Type nak , for example, to select an icon called "Naked Chef Broadcast Schedule." 4.6.3. Checkbox SelectionIt's great that you can select random icons by holding down a key and clickingif you can remember which key must be pressed. Fortunately, there's an easier way: checkbox mode. In this mode, any icon you point to temporarily sprouts a little checkbox that you can click to select (Figure 4-7).
To turn this feature on, open any Explorer window, and then choose Organize Folder and Search Options. Click the View tab, scroll down in the list of settings, and then turn on "Use check boxes to select items." Click OK. With the checkboxes visible, no secret keystrokes are necessary; it's painfully obvious how you're supposed to choose only a few icons out of a gaggle. |