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Joey_five Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary

file vs folder

Please forgive me if this question sounds stupid to you. But I want to do the difference between a file and a folder. And are they interchangable? Thanks a lot!
  

Top answer

In real life, a file is kept in a folder (a file folder), and a folder can hold one or more files. If it holds only one, then the words are interchangeable; in computers, it is essentially the same, at least with my operating software, but the names are not interchangeable without modifying the software. I think.

— Mister Micawber

  • In real life, a file is kept in a folder (a file folder), and a folder can hold one or more files.
  • If it holds only one, then the words are interchangeable; in computers, it is essentially the same, at least with my operating software, but the names are not interchangeable without modifying the software.
  • I think.
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11 Answers
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In real life, a file is kept in a folder (a file folder), and a folder can hold one or more files. If it holds only one, then the words are interchangeable; in computers, it is essentially the same, at least with my operating software, but the names are not interchangeable without modifying the software.

I think.
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A folder is bigger than a file then. Thanks MM.

How about binder? A binder must be bigger than a file. But is it different from a folder?
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You haven't told us whether you are speaking of computer terms or real-world stationery. I am not familiar with a computer binder, but in the office, a binder is a kind of container or protective cover for a file. There are 3-ring looseleaf binders, for example, or spiral binders. If all your files are in binders, then the two words could become sy
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Hi guys,

Here's how I see it.

in non-computer terms

a file This can have two meanings. 1. a set of papers. 2. the folder that a set of papers is kept in.

In addition, and perhaps most importantly, I see the term 'file' as implying classification/organization of papers/information. If you just stick papers into folders
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sorry, I should have clarified. I meant non-computer ones.

And thank you for your answers.
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that was a good question, that's how I got to this page, looking for an answer because I was not sure.
thanks
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Technically,

A file is an electronic document, which can be a WORD(.doc) or spreadsheet(.xls) or a MP3 or a picture.. etc

A folder(directory) is used to organize the files or other folders.
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Please read this thread.

Clive
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In real life if you have a filing cabinet I think a file contains multiple documents so it's the same as a folder so in real life they are the same thing but in a computer they are not. In a computer a file is a single document while a folder is just a container to hold multiple files or documents. Windows 95 is the first operating system to use the term Folder. Before that they were ca

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