Dumb What kind of Object is 'My PC/This PC' in Windows 8.1?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the nature of 'My PC' (or 'This PC') in Windows 8.1, specifically questioning whether it is classified as a directory or a different type of object. Participants explore various definitions and functionalities associated with this feature, including its relationship to folders and drives.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that 'My PC' is synonymous with 'My Computer' and represents a collection of drives, folders, and files.
  • Others argue that 'My PC' does not contain all folders on the computer, leading to a distinction between directories and the 'My PC' object.
  • A participant mentions that 'Desktop' is not a subfolder of 'My PC', indicating a more complex structure.
  • There is a discussion about the terminology used, with some stating that 'directory' and 'folder' are interchangeable, while others emphasize the differences in usage between PC and Mac terminology.
  • One participant claims that 'My PC' is not a directory based on command line results, while another acknowledges a misunderstanding regarding its functional classification.
  • Several participants express frustration with the changing interface of Windows, comparing it to a car's controls being rearranged.
  • Links to external resources are shared, suggesting that 'My PC' may be considered a special folder.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether 'My PC' is a directory or a different type of object, with multiple competing views remaining throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of directories and folders, as well as the specific functionalities of 'My PC' in Windows 8.1. Some participants express confusion about the terminology and the interface changes in Windows.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for users seeking to understand the structure and classification of objects within Windows 8.1, particularly those who are confused by the terminology and interface changes.

WWGD
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Just a dumb question:

What kind of object is 'My PC' in Windows 8.1 ?
when one goes to 'file explorer' , it contains a collection of folders. So I thought it is a directory, but
my friend disagrees with me. Who's right?
 
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Is it not the same thing as "My Computer"? If so, it's the collection of all drives on your computer, which would contain all folders and all files.You did not say what your friend thinks it is, so we cannot possibly claim he is right or wrong.

BTW, 'folders' and 'directories' are synonymous.

Since you are looking at a collection of folders/directories, one could say you are certainly looking at a directory.
 
Well, but 'MyPC' does not contain all the folders in the computer. AFAIK, a directory is a collection of folders.
 
WWGD said:
Well, but 'MyPC' does not contain all the folders in the computer.
How do you know? :smile:

WWGD said:
AFAIK, a directory is a collection of folders.
A directory/folder is a container for files and/or directories/folders.

Directory is a PC term. Folder is simply a user-friendlier Mac synonym of the same entity.
 
DaveC426913 said:
How do you know?A directory/folder is a collection of files and/or directories/folders.

Directory is a PC term. Folder is simply a user-friendlier Mac synonym of the same entity.

I know because when I go to 'File Explorer' there is a graphical description of the file/folder structure. There are folders (literally) below 'MyPC' , which indicates these folders are contained in my PC , and there are other folders not directly below 'My PC' , showing these are not subfolders of it. For example, 'Desktop' is not contained or is a part of 'My PC'.
But you're right, the term 'folders' is equivalent to 'directories'.
 
WWGD said:
folders not directly below 'My PC' , showing these are not subfolders of it. For example, 'Desktop' is not contained or is a part of 'My PC'.
'Desktop' is a shortcut to a folder (users/documents/<yourusername/desktop> or somesuch) on your PC. Likely, others are 'Printers', and other such commonly-used locations.

It's a directory/folder structure that's been horribly bloated, corrupted and spaghettified with non-folder/directory functionality via the feature-creepy-bloatware style of MS.
 
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I don't know enough about computers to pass a judgment; my biggest beef is the constant change of interface. Would gates like to have his car changed so that the steering wheel is in the roof, the pedal is on the left door, etc? The structure of the car may change, but the 'interface' does not have to.
 
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WWGD said:
I don't know enough about computers to pass a judgment; my biggest beef is the constant change of interface. Would gates like to have his car changed so that the steering wheel is in the roof, the pedal is on the left door, etc? The structure of the car may change, but the 'interface' does not have to.
Amen, brudduh, amen.
 
DaveC426913 said:
Is it not the same thing as "My Computer"?
Yeah, I think so... it's just called "This PC".

Looks something like this?

This PC(1).JPG

Or this?

This PC(2).JPG
 
  • #10
  • #11
DaveC426913 said:
A directory/folder is a container for files and/or directories/folders.

Directory is a PC term. Folder is simply a user-friendlier Mac synonym of the same entity.
Furthermore, in Windows, a file and a directory are both files, with the difference being that a directory has the directory bit (FILE_ATTRIBUTE_DIRECTORY) set in its attributes.
 
  • #12
I just checked, and 'My PC' is not a directory: I used CLI , with the command CD My Computer, and the reply I got was that the path could not be found.
 
  • #13
Well, OK. Sure. It's not literally a directory type of object. I thought you meant what is it functionally.

Apologies. I misunderstood.
 
  • #14
No problem, DaveC, sorry myself for my useless nitpick, I am plenty confused about windows.. Just trying to figure things out myself --just give me a pepsi, all I want is a pepsi...
 
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  • #15
WWGD said:
I just checked, and 'My PC' is not a directory:
I no doubt have a misunderstanding also, but it really is called... "This PC."

Desktop(1).JPG
If you can stand to do a bunch of reading, this seems to be a good site... it's my "go to" anyway.

https://www.winhelp.us/
https://www.winhelp.us/sitemap.html

Of course, you did do a Google search? :oldbiggrin:

https://www.google.com/#q=what+is+this+pc+in+windows+8.1
 
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  • #16
Thanks, OCR, all. Problem with google searches is that, unless you know the topic well-enough, it is difficult to filter out the garbage.
 
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  • #17
OCR said:
I no doubt have a misunderstanding also...
Ah, OK... maybe not.

If you click the "Properties" of This PC, you should see something about like this.?

System(1).JPG
The Properties of This PC (object) just shows your System Information... Hell, I don't know... lol... :oldbiggrin:

Problem with google searches is that, unless you know the topic well-enough, it is difficult to filter out the garbage.
No dang... lol
 
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  • #18
Thanks all for your patience with my weirdness about this.
 
  • #19

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