"In the tool bar at the top of my computer screen is there something to select under folder options so that I can have the names of the file folders underneath of the files?"

There's a few options there, but that changes the folders on the "C" drive not the external drive as far as I know.

Thanks for answering.

If I open a drive on win8 and its the View / Details menu item.

Or you open the drive so folders are showing then on an empty spot Right Click & choose Properties then you might see View ... then select Details.

It must be different for windows XP. I am dealing with what I have. I am almost through organizing and sorting these files. I will be buying Windows Xp on my new computer.

I chose not to go with Windows 8 at this time.

Thanks for your help Mikie.

loralee-
I encourage you to NOT buy a computer with XP as the operating system. While I understand that many people are reluctant to move on to a newer Windows system because they are used to the one they have, sticking with XP is not a wise choice. Why? This is from Microsoft's web site:

"After April 8, 2014, technical assistance for Windows XP will no longer be available, including automatic updates that help protect your PC. You can continue to use Windows XP, but your computer might become more vulnerable to security risks and viruses."

XP was superceded by Vista about seven years ago, and more recently by Win7 and Win8. If you can even find someone to sell you a PC with a legitimate copy of XP on it, you are shortchanging yourself by trying to put off the inevitable. Not only will it be harder to move on the longer you wait (like when Win9 is released), but you may increasingly find that new programs or games you may want to install simply might not run on an XP machine, or a new printer may not have a driver for XP. I know it takes a little time to learn a new operating system, but you will save yourself a lot of increasing frustration if you bite the bullet now and get a current operating system on your new computer.

This post was edited by kudzu9 on Sun, Dec 8, 13 at 21:13

I started to respond yesterday, but now I will. If you absolutely refuse to move to Windows 8, at least choose a Windows 7 system as it will be supported for a number of years. It is not very different from XP, and it will not be hard for you to make the transition. I have had Win 7 for several years, and if I can make the transition without difficulty, you surely can. For safety and security do NOT buy an old system. It would be like buying a 2001 automobile instead of a current model with all the improved safety features.

I have no plans on sticking with XP as this is why I need to upgrade to a new computer. It is not save to use a computer on the internet without out MS protections, which real soon will not support the XP.
The computer shop will build me a New computer and put a Windows 7 operating system on it for me.

I will take mydesktop in to them this week.