However the new version of SharePoint 2010 (updated Tulip) doesn't have this feature as prominent which is both a good and bad thing, bad because if your used to creating backups via this means then at first glance it seems to not be there. But good in the aspect that Microsoft are aiming their system at all users not just Microsoft Windows users, so all you Linux and that other fruit based operating system users can get a piece of the SharePoint love!
So How do I get to View my files in Explore View?
Simple! I'm going to make the assumption your using a Windows Based computer and are using Internet Explorer, if not then please do as this wont work otherwise. Go to the document library your wanting to view (for this example I'm using my SharePoint based E-Portfolio system for Midwifery Students):
You should see the magical ribbon listed along the top... you know the standard ribbon which Microsoft seem to think everyone's familiar with and love... obviously I'm very familiar with it and indeed do love it... in all fairness at least they've chosen an idea and gone with it.... much like this. Ok in this ribbon you should see "Library Tools" Select sub heading "Library" (as marked in the above image).
This will change the ribbon to the following image from it about in the middle of the page you shoudl see "Current View:" with a drop down menu underneath. From the drop down menu select "Explorer View".
You'll have to wait for a bit as it does its thing, I'd imagine there's a fair amount of authentication involved in this task hence the delay anyway as if by magic your documents will view in Explorer View:
I've not tested this at home yet (as my home laptop is run by fruit) but it works on my works computer which is running Windows 7 and is on the Uni network so it might not work if your on XP or Vista (please let me know if it does).
2 comments:
Thanks Stephen, had a few people ask me this already! A must have must use feature that is not immediately obvious. Useful to have the guide to show others. :)
This is indead a really useful feature, and it relies on lots of Microsoft specific bits, which is great, but it's also unfortunately quite flakey as a result.
In particular, Microsoft have changed the security model in IE8 and also made further changes in Windows 7 which means this feature seems to work only about half the time for me now. There also appears little rhyme or reason about when it decides to work or not. Usually, I can open a view and open files, but as soon as I try to write anything back to the folder, it breaks and then stays broken.
It's perhaps also worth noting that it's only partially effective as a backup mechanism as it doesn't retain any file/folder permisions and doesn't allow access to all types of content. There is a backup mechanism you can use through Sharepoint designer, but that's not perfect either.
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