What Is a Folder on a Computer?

A folder is a place on a computer that holds files, the way a paper folder holds letters. A folder can also hold other folders, so you can keep related files together. Documents, Pictures and Downloads are folders that come with the computer.

What it looks like

A folder is shown as a small picture of a paper folder, with its name below or beside it. Opening a folder shows the files and folders inside it. Moving a file into a folder changes where the file is kept, not what is in it.

On Windows and on a Mac

On Windows 11, you look through folders in the File Explorer app. On a Mac, you look through them in the Finder app.