How to Use Nautilus in Linux?

A user-friendly, open-source, and free file explorer is called Nautilus. The GNOME desktop environment, an open-source graphical user interface for Linux-based operating systems, uses it as its primary file manager. Users can manage and organize their files, folders, and directories with Nautilus' user-friendly interface.

A few of its features include drag-and-drop assistance, file previews, and the capacity to explore and work with remote file systems like FTP and SMB/Windows shares. Nautilus linux is made to be easy to use, with an emphasis on effectiveness and productivity. Additionally, users can add plugins and extensions to further customize and extend its capabilities.

Nautilus Linux Options

Numerous helpful choices and features are available in Nautilus Linux, often known as Files, which improves the file management experience on Linux. Here are some of the main Nautilus Linux options to consider:

1. Viewing Options:

To show files and folders in the file pane, Nautilus Linux offers a variety of viewing options. The following view modes are accessible to users:

Icon View: File and folder names and other information are displayed alongside their icons in the icon view.
List View: Files and folders are displayed in a thorough list manner in the list view, with columns for name, size, type, and modification date.
Compact View: Icon View in a more condensed format with smaller icons.
Grid View: An icon grid without any additional information.

Quick access to important locations and directories is provided by the navigation pane, which is situated on the left side of the Nautilus window. The choices consist of:

Home: Opens the directory for your home.
Document: Goes to the Documents folder in the file system.
Download: Opens the Downloads folder after a download.
Recents: Shows recently viewed files and folders under Recents.
Trash: This shows what's in the Trash folder.
Mounted Drives: Lists all mounted drives, both internal and external discs are included.
Network: Offers access to shared files and network destinations.

3. Search Bar:

Nautilus Linux has a search box in the top-right corner that users may use to rapidly look for files and folders using their names or keywords. It's simple to find particular objects in a big directory thanks to the search tool.

Options for the Toolbar:

The Nautilus window's toolbar has several buttons for routine file management operations. Among these choices are:

Create New Folder: Creates a new folder in the current directory.
Copy: Copies selected files or folders to the clipboard.
Cut: Cuts selected files or folders to the clipboard for moving.
Paste: Pastes files or folders from the clipboard to the current directory.
Delete: Moves selected files or folders to the Trash folder for deletion.
Undo: Reverts the last file operation (copy, cut, or delete).
Redo: Restores a previously undone file operation.

When you right-click on a file or folder in the file pane, a context menu with several options appears. These options include Open, Open With, Rename, Move to Trash, and Properties. These choices offer easy access to file-related operations.

5. Path Bar:

Below the toolbar, in the path bar, is a location that shows the current position of the file or folder being examined. The directory path is displayed in a clickable breadcrumb manner, enabling users to return to earlier directories.

6. Bookmark:

Using bookmarks, Nautilus Linux users can easily retrieve frequently visited directories. The navigation pane displays bookmarks, which make it simple to jump to specific areas without having to go through the full file structure.

7. Status Bar:

The Nautilus window's status bar, which is at the bottom, offers more details about the currently chosen file or folder. It shows information such as the total number of things in the directory, the total size of the objects that are now selected, and the amount of free disc space.

How to Manage Files and Folders

Nautilus (Files)'s user-friendly settings and intuitive design make managing files and folders on Linux a simple operation. Let's examine the fundamental file management chores Nautilus enables you to carry out:

Accessing Different Directories:

To rapidly visit popular places like Home, Documents, Downloads, and more, use the navigation pane on the left-hand side.
To examine a folder's contents in the file window on the right, click on any folder.

Making New Folders:

Use the right-click context menu or the New Folder option from the New Folder button in the toolbar to make a new folder in the current directory.
Press Enter after naming the folder.

Selecting Multiple Items:

To choose multiple files or folders, click on the items while holding down the Ctrl key (or the Shift key for a contiguous selection).
Alternately, you can select everything in the current directory by pressing the shortcut Ctrl+A.

Renaming Files and Folders:

Right-click a file or folder to choose Rename.
As an alternative, you can click the item's name, pause for a second, and then click once more to change the name.
To make the change, type the new name and hit Enter.

Copying Files and Folders:

To copy a file or folder, either right-click on it and select Copy, or use Ctrl+C on your computer.
By using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V or by right-clicking and selecting Paste, navigate to the desired directory.
In the new location, the copied object will be put.

Moving Files and Folders:

To move a file or folder, either right-click on it and select Cut, or press the shortcut key Ctrl+X on your keyboard.
By using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V or by right-clicking and selecting Paste, navigate to the desired directory.
The object will be transferred from its current location to the new one.

Removing Files and Folders:

To remove one or more files or folders, either select them and press the Delete key, or right-click and select Move to Trash.
removed objects are sent to the Trash folder, where they can either be recovered or removed forever.

Recovering Deleted Items from Trash:

Open the Trash folder from the navigation pane if you unintentionally delete a file or folder.
The object you want to restore can be found by performing a right-click and choosing "Restore."

Emptying the Trash:

To permanently remove every item from the Trash, right-click inside the Trash folder and select Empty Trash.

Finding Files:

You may search for files and folders by name or keyword using the search box in the top-right corner.
Nautilus will dynamically display matching results as you type.

Sorting and Organising Files:

To sort files and folders by name, size, type, or modification date, click on the column headers in the file pane.
The sorting order will be reversed if you click the same column header once more.

You can effectively organize and manage your files and folders using Linux's Nautilus by doing these simple file management chores. Nautilus Linux is a great file manager for users of all skill levels because of its user-friendly features and straightforward layout.

Moving and Copying Files:

Nautilus streamlines the process of moving and copying files between directories.

Copying Files: To copy a file, either right-click on it and select Copy or press the shortcut key Ctrl+C on your keyboard. After that, either use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V or right-click and select "Paste" in the destination directory.
Moving Files: To move a file, first pick it and then use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+X or right-click and select Cut. You can use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+V or right-click and select Paste while in the destination directory.
Drag and drop: Moving or transferring files by dragging them from one spot to another is an alternate way. To copy or move a file, just click on it, drag it to the desired area, and then let go of the mouse button.

Removable Media in Nautilus:

Nautilus linux simplifies working with removable media like USB drives and external hard disks:

Removable media detection: When you insert a CD or DVD or connect a USB drive, Nautilus Linux immediately recognizes it and displays it in the Devices area of the navigation pane.
Mounting and Unmounting: Click on the removable media icon in the navigation window to access its contents. The device is instantly mounted by Nautilus, which also displays its contents in the file window. When finished, select Unmount from the context menu of the right-clicked device to securely eject it.
Media Ejection: To physically remove the removable media, right-click on the object in the navigation pane and choose Eject. This makes sure that any outstanding write operations are finished before the media is securely removed.

Conclusion

Using Nautilus (Files) on Linux is simple and intuitive, and it provides effective file management and organization features. A succinct summary of how to use Nautilus in Linux is provided below:

In many Linux distributions, Nautilus is the default file manager and offers a user-friendly interface for managing files and folders.
Access to crucial areas like Home, Documents, Downloads, and mounted drives is made simple with the navigation window.
Depending on their preferences, users can select from a variety of viewing modes like Icon View, List View, Compact View, or Grid View.
The New Folder button or right-click context menu makes creating new folders simple.
In addition to clicking on the items, you can also choose several items by holding down the Ctrl or Shift keys.
It is as easy as right-clicking on an object and choosing Rename or just double-clicking on the item's name to rename files and folders.
The Copy and Cut options, followed by Paste in the desired directory, can be used to copy and move files.
Both the Delete key and the Move to Trash option can be used to delete files and folders.
Users have the option of either restoring deleted items or completely deleting them by emptying the Trash folder.
Searching for files and folders is rapid and dynamic thanks to the search box in the upper right corner.