Tagging re-invented and fully integrated

into the Windows File Explorer

 

 

Tagging for Windows Help

Introduction

Tagging for Windows allows you to tag your files and folders within the Windows File Explorer. More general information or a free download is available at the website. Please contact us for anything: questions, bugs, request, comments, etc.

 

Windows Explorer Integration

The standard Windows Explorer is extended with a Tagging node  in the tree (Navigation pane). When a tag is selected in the tree, the tagged files and folders are shown in the Folder View. Below the Folder View, another pane is presented. This can be either the Tags pane, Comments pane or the Smart View pane.

Next to the directly visible parts, the context menu’s are extended as well. Dependently of the context, the context menu for files and folders have Tag with, Add to ‘Tag With’, Show in folder, Untag or Search and Tag files.

 

Tags and Comments pane

Tags pane

The Tags pane can be found below the Folder View in the explorer. It shows the Tags of the selected file or folder (or another Tag).

 

 

 

The Name, Location and ‘Add or select Tag’ button are shown. When multiple files and/or folders are selected, only the in common are shown.

The Tags pane allows you to use the context menu to:

-           Show within Tag group: see Navigate to a Tag .

-          Tag with: see Tag a Tag .

-          Add to ‘Tag with’: see Add Tag to ‘Tag with’.

-          Tag website: see Tag a Website.

-          Add to smart view: see Use in Smart View.

-          Untag: see Untag an a File or Untag a Folder.

-          Add or select Tag : see Add or select Tag.

 

Comments pane

The Comments pane can be found below the Folder View in the explorer. It shows the list of comments of a selected file, folder, or tag. A comment can be added, deleted and changed.

 

Comments list

 

For every comment it is shown when (date and time) and by who (user name) it’s created and last changed. A comment can be added, deleted or changed.

 

New comment

A new comment can be added to a file, folder, or tag. The comment can be saved or canceled.

 

Tag

In general a tag is a keyword or term linked to a piece of information. In particular, this kind of metadata helps to describe a File, Folder or other Tag and allows it to be found by browsing or searching with help of the Tags. . A tag can be linked to one or more Files, Folders or other Tags. Files, Folders or other Tags can have one or more Tags.

 

Create a New Tag

─      Select the Tag Group or Tag where you want to create a new tag.

○      In the context menu select New Tag.

A Tag with the default name, New Tag, is created. The name of the Tag can be changed now.

Note: Some characters cannot be used in the name. See restrictions.

 

Alternatives

─      Select the Tag Group or Tag where you want to create a new tag.

○      Press Ctrl+Shift+A to create a new tag as child.

 

─      Select the Tag where you want to create a new tag.

○      Press Ctrl+Shift+S to create a new tag as sibling.

 

Copy a Tag

─      Select the Tag you want to copy.

○      In the context menu select Copy.

○      On the keyboard, press Ctrl+C.

○      Use the mouse to Drag and Drop the Tag while pressing the Ctrl key.

The selected Tag is now on the clipboard. A paste action is needed to complete the copy.

 

Rename a Tag

─      Select the Tag you want to rename.

○      In the context menu select Rename.

○      On the keyboard, press F2.

Note: Some characters cannot be used in the name. See restrictions.

 

Delete a Tag

When a Tag is deleted, the Tag will be deleted permanently. All tagged files, folders and other Tags will be untagged from this Tag.

 

─      Select the Tag you want to delete.

○      In the context menu, choose Delete.

○      On the keyboard, press Delete.

 

Cut a Tag

─      Select the Tag you want to cut.

○      In the context menu, choose Cut.

○      On the keyboard, press Ctrl+X.

○      Use the mouse to Drag and Drop the Tag.

The selected Tag is now on the clipboard. A paste action is needed to complete the move.

 

Paste a Tag

The Paste is used to complete a combination of actions. The combination can be:

. Cut/Paste: The Tag will be moved.

. Copy/Paste: The Tag will be copied.

-     Select the location you want to complete the operation.

○      In the context menu, choose Paste.

○      On the keyboard, press Ctrl+V.

Tag destination restriction

 

Properties of a Tag

─      Select the Tag whose properties you want to view.

○      In the context menu, choose Properties.

The following dialog will be shown in which the properties can be viewed.

Press Change Icon to change the icon of the selected tag. When pressed the following dialog is shown.

─      Scroll through the list to find an icon to use. Choose OK on the selection. OK also closes the dialog.

─      Select OK or Apply on the Properties window to save the changes. OK also closes the dialog.

 

Use in Search and Tag

─      Select the Tag you want to use in the ‘Search and Tag’ application.

○      In the context menu, choose Search and Tag files. ¹

The application Search and Tag is started with the selected Tag used as a Path.

This path is the location from which the application starts searching for files.

 

Copying a Tag

Copying a tag can be done by using copy followed by a paste. Tags can be copied to other tag groups as well. All child tags are copied also. The tagged files, folders and other tags of the original Tag will also be tagged with the copied Tag.

 

Moving a Tag

Moving a tag can be done by using cut followed by paste. Tags can be moved to another tag groups as well. All child tags are moved also. All tagged files, folders and other tags are preserved.

 

Add to ‘Tag with’

─      Select the Tag you want to add to the list of last used Tags. The Tag is placed on top of the list. When the option Allow multiselect entries in ‘Tag With’ list is selected it is also possible to add multiple Tags to the list of last used Tags.

○      In the context menu, choose Add to ‘Tag with’. ¹

○      On the keyboard, press Ctrl+Shift+Q.

 

Merge Tag with

Select the tag you want to merge with another tag. The selected Tag will remain in the system. The child Tags and links of the other Tag will be merged into the selected.

─      In the context menu, choose Merge Tag with ….  A window with the Tag groups is opened to select the other Tag. Select a Tag as you would do in Windows File Explorer.

○      Press Merge to perform the merge, the window is closed afterwards.

○      Cancel closes the window. A merge is not performed.

 

Export

Export a Tag

Select the Tag you want to export. The Tag, all child Tags and all linked Files and Folders are exported.

○      Open the context menu and choose Export and in the sub-menu select Export. A File Save dialog is shown to specify the location of the export file.  When the Export is finished the following dialog is shown indicating how many Tag Groups, Tags and Links are exported.

 

Export a Tag to CSV

Select the Tag you want to export. The Tag, all child Tags and all linked Files and Folders are exported.

○      Open the context menu and choose Export and in the sub-menu select Export to CSV. A File Save dialog is shown to specify the location of the CSV file.  When the Export is finished the following dialog is shown indicating how many Tag Groups, Tags and Links are exported.

 

Tagging

The word ‘Tagging’ is short for linking a Tag to a File, a Folder or even another Tag.

 

Tag a File, Folder or Tag

A File, Folder or Tag can be tagged using two methods as described below.

 

Add or select Tag

─      Select the File, Folder or Tag you want to tag.

○      Press the Add or select Tag button  in the Tags pane or on the keyboard press Ctrl+Shift+’+’.

▪       In the Tags pane an editable combo box with list autocomplete will appear.

▪       By typing text in the combo box, matching tags are shown in the list.

▪       When a Tag is selected from the list, this Tag will be used to tag the File, Folder and/or Tag. If the typed text does not match any of the existing tags, a new Tag will be created and will be used to tag the File, Folder and/or Tag. Applied new tags will be created automatically in a new special Tag group named ‘Base Tag group’.

Tag with

─      Select the File, Folder or Tag you want to tag. When the option Allow multiselect entries in ‘Tag With’ list is selected it is also possible to tag a File/folder with multiple Tags and a Tag with multiple Files/Folder and/or Tags.

○      In the context menu select Tag with.

▪       Select an entry from the list of the last (max 9) used Tags, or select More Tags …  

○      On the keyboard press Ctrl+Shift+T to select the last used entry of the ‘Tag With’ list.

More Tags

More Tags opens a new window containing all Tag Groups. It is now possible to link multiple Tags to the selection. All Tag and Tag Group functions are available in this window.

 

─      Select a Tag as you would do in Windows File Explorer.

○      Press Apply or Select to link the Tag to the selection. The selected Tag is also placed on top of the list last used Tags. Select also closes the window.

○      Cancel closes the window.

 

Alternatives

Select a file or folder in the Folder View and drag it to the Navigation Pane. The ‘Link’  action indicator will be shown (see picture below). Drop the file or folder on a Tag in the Navigation Pane. The file or folder is now linked with the Tag.

Select a Tag in the Folder View and drag it to the Navigation Pane. Press the Alt key for the ‘Link’ action (the indicator in the picture  is shown). Drop the Tag on another Tag in the Navigation Pane. The tags are now linked.

 

 

Tag a Website

Websites can be ‘tagged’ as well. However, because the function Tagging is only integrated in the Windows File Explorer and not in every possible Internet Browser, this works as follows:

─      First select the address of the website in the Internet Browser.

○      In the context menu select Copy.

○      On the keyboard, press Ctrl+C.

─      Now select a Tag in the Windows File Explorer.

○      In the context menu select Tag website.

 

Linked Tags

Tagging for Windows links a Tag to a File, Folder or other Tag. A link always has two sides, one always being a Tag, the other being a File, a Folded or a Tag.

Because the link has two sides (is bi-directional), two ways are possible to see the extra information you can add within the Windows File Explorer:

1.         Viewed from a Tag, the Files and Folders linked to this Tag are shown in the Folder View

2.         Viewed from a File or Folder, the Tags linked to this File or Folder are shown in the Tags pane.

 

 

 

Navigating

When a link exists, navigation is possible to both sides of it.

Navigation to a Tag using ‘Show in Tag group’ will select the Tag in the Navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer.

Navigation to a Folder using ‘Show in Folder’ will select the Folder in the Navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer.

Navigation to a File using ‘Show in Folder’ will select the File in the Folder View of the Windows File Explorer.

 

Untagging

When a Tag is untagged the link between the Tag and the File, Folder or another Tag is removed.

 

 

Navigate to a File

─      In the Folder View select the File you what to navigate.

○      In the context menu select Show in Folder.

 

Navigate to a Folder

─      In the Folder View select the Folder you what to navigate.

○      In the context menu select Show in Folder.

 

Navigate to a Tag

─      In the Tags pane select the Tag you want to navigate.

○      In the context menu select Show within Tag group.

 

Untag a File

─      In the Folder View of the Windows File Explorer, select the linked File(s) you want to untag

○      In the context menu select Untag.

─      In the Tags pane select the Tag(s) you want to untag.

○      In the context menu select Untag.

 

Untag a Folder

─      In the Folder View of the Windows File Explorer, select the linked Folder(s) you want to untag

○      In the context menu select Untag.

─      In the Tags pane select the Tag(s) you want to untag.

○      In the context menu select Untag.

 

Use in Smart View

─      In the Tags pane select the Tag(s) you want to use in Smart View.

○      In the context menu select Use in Smart View. ¹

Tag a Tag

─      In the Folder View of the Windows File Explorer or in the Tags pane select the Tag(s) you want to tag.

○      In the context menu select Tag with. ¹

Add Tag to ‘Tag with’

─      In the Tags pane select the Tag you want to add to the list of last used Tags. The Tag is placed on top of the list. When the option Allow multiselect entries in ‘Tag With’ list is selected it is also possible to add multiple Tags to the list of last used Tags.

○      In the context menu select Add to ‘Tag with’. ¹

○      On the keyboard, press Ctrl+Shift+Q.

Add or select Tag

See Add or select Tag.

Tagging node  

The Tagging node contains the collection of Tag Groups and the Smart Views.

 

Join Shared Tag group

In the navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer select the Tagging node. Open the context menu and choose Join Shared Tag group.

The Join Shared Tag group is opened, and an already shared Tag group can be selected.

 

License

 

License activation

In the navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer select the Tagging node. Open the context menu and choose License and in the sub-menu select License activation.

The Activate License dialog is opened and the activation key can be entered here.

 

License deactivation

In the navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer select the Tagging node. Open the context menu and choose License and in the sub-menu select License deactivation. The current activated license will be deactivated.

 

License information

In the navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer select the Tagging node. Open the context menu and choose License and in the sub-menu select License information. The License information dialog is opened and shows the License key, Expiration date and whether the license is Expired.

 

Additional license(s)

In the navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer select the Tagging node. Open the context menu and choose License and in the sub-menu select Additional license(s). The Tagging for Windows website is opened where additional licenses can be obtained.

 

Check for Updates

─      Select the Tagging node  in the tree.

○      In the context menu, choose Check for updates. The Tagging for Windows website is queried for the availability of a new version.

 

Download new version of 'Tagging for Windows'

─      Select the Tagging node  in the tree.

○      In the context menu, choose Download new version of 'Tagging for Windows'. When a new version is available is enabled and the Tagging for Windows download page is opened in de default Internet Browser.

 

Shared Tagging

In the navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer select the Tagging node. Open the context menu and choose Shared Tagging. The Shared Tagging application is opened.

 

Auto Tagging

In the navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer select the Tagging node. Open the context menu and choose Auto Tagging. The Auto Tagging application is opened.

Restore

In the navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer select the Tagging node. Open the context menu and choose Restore. The Restore Removed dialog is opened. In this dialog it is possible to restore deleted tags.

A historical overview shows all removed Tags. Each entry shows how many Tags, File/Folder/Tag links and File/Folder/Tag comments were deleted. The deleted Tags can be grouped by Months, Days, Hours and Minutes. History entries can also be deleted. Restored history entries can be kept on disk, in the export file format, for future use.

 

Tagging for Windows options

─      Select the Tagging node  in the tree.

○      In the context menu, choose Options. The following options dialog is shown.

 

 

 Show Tags pane

When this option is selected the Tags pane is shown. Default this option is selected.

 

 Show Tags in Folder view

When this option is selected the child Tags of the current selected tag are shown in the Windows Explorer Folder View. Default this option is selected.

 

 Smart view

When this option is selected the Smart View node is shown in under the Tagging node in the navigation pane and the context menu of a Tag will contain ‘Add to Smart View’. Default this option is selected.

 

 Tagging of Tags

When this option is selected it is possible to tag Tags and the context menu of a Tag will contain ‘Tag with’. Default this option is selected.

 

 Search and Tag

When this option is selected it is possible to use a Tag or Folder in the ‘Search and Tag’ application and the context menu of a Tag or Folder will contain ‘Search and tag files’. Default this option is selected.

 

 Add to ‘Tag with’

When this option is selected it is possible to add a Tag to the list of last used Tags and the context menu of a Tag will contain ‘Add to ‘Tag with’’. Default this option is selected.

 

 Allow multiselect entries in ‘Tag With’ list

When this option is selected it is possible to add multiselect File/Folder and/or Tag combinations to the ‘Tag With’ list. When selected, the options Tagging of Tags and Add to ‘Tag With’ are automatically selected and disabled. Default this option is selected.

 

Settings

Select the default location for tags created with ‘Add or select Tag’. This can be any tag group or tag.

 

Export

Export all Tag Groups

Select the Tagging node  in the tree. All opened Tag Groups are exported.

○      Open the context menu and choose Export and in the sub-menu select Export. A File Save dialog is shown to specify the location of the export file.  When the Export is finished the following dialog is shown indicating how many Tag Groups, Tags and Links are export.

 

Export all Tag Groups to CSV

Select the Tagging node  in the tree. All opened Tag Groups are exported.

○      Open the context menu and choose Export and in the sub-menu select Export to CSV. A File Save dialog is shown to specify the location of the CSV  file.  When the Export is finished the following dialog is shown indicating how many Tag Groups, Tags and Links are exported.

 

 

Help

─      Select the Tagging node  in the tree.

○      In the context menu, choose Help. The Tagging for Windows help website is opened in de default Internet Browser.

 

Refresh

─      Select the Tagging node  in the tree.

○      In the context menu, choose Refresh. All opened Tag Groups are refreshed.

 

Database

Update database

In the navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer select the Tagging node. Open the context menu and choose Database and in the sub-menu select Update database. The Tagging for Windows database will be updated to the newest structure and version.

 

Correct database permissions

In the navigation pane of the Windows File Explorer select the Tagging node. Open the context menu and choose Database and in the sub-menu select Correct database permissions. The permissions needed for the correct functioning of Tagging for Windows are restored.

 

About Tagging for Windows

─      Select the Tagging node  in the tree.

○      In the context menu, choose About Tagging for Windows. The following dialog is shown containing the version number of Tagging for Windows, copyright information and a link to the Tagging for Windows website.

 

 

Tag Group

A Tag Group is a hierarchical ordered collection of tags.

 

Closing a Tag Group

When a Tag Group is closed it will be removed from the Windows File Explorer tree. All containing Tags and their links to Files, Folder and other Tags will be preserved. A closed Tag Group can be reopened.

 

Deleting Tag Group

When a Tag Group is deleted all containing Tags and their links to Files, Folder and other Tags will permanently be destroyed. It will be removed from the Windows File Explorer tree.

 

Note: A Shared Tag Group cannot be deleted. The shared and synchronization needs to be stopped first.

 

Opening a Tag Group

A Tag Group that was previously closed can reopened.

 

Delete

─      Select the Tag Group you want to delete.

○      In the context menu select Delete.

○      On the keyboard, press Delete.

Close a Tag Group

─      Select the Tag Group you want to close.

─      The Tag Group remains available and can be opened again.

○      In the context menu select Close.

Create a Tag Group

─      Select the Tagging node  in the tree.

○      In the context menu, choose New Tag group.

A new Tag Group with the default name New Tag group is created.

 

Rename a Tag Group

─      Select the Tag Group you want to rename.

○      In the context menu, choose Rename.

○      On the keyboard, press F2.

Note: Some characters cannot be used in the name. See restrictions.

 

Show the properties of a Tag Group

─      Select the Tag Group whose properties you want to view.

○      In the context menu, choose Properties.

A dialog will be shown in which the properties can be viewed.

 

Open a Tag Group

─      Select the Tagging node  in the tree.

○      In the context menu, go to Open Tag group. A submenu is shown with the previously closed Tag groups.

 

Export

 

Export a Tag Group

Select the Tag Group you want to export. All the Tags and all linked Files and Folders are exported.

○      Open the context menu and choose Export and in the sub-menu select Export. A File Save dialog is shown to specify the location of the export file.  When the Export is finished the following dialog is shown indicating how many Tag Groups, Tags and Links are exported.

 

Export a Tag Group to CSV

Select the Tag Group you want to export. All the Tags and all linked Files and Folders are exported.

○      Open the context menu and choose Export and in the sub-menu select Export to CSV. A File Save dialog is shown to specify the location of the export file.  When the Export is finished the following dialog is shown indicating how many Tag Groups, Tags and Links are exported.

 

Share & Sync

Select the Tag group you want to share and sync.

○      Open the context menu and choose Share & Sync. The Share & Sync dialog is shown where you can specify the location to share and sync the Tag group. 

 

Smart View

With a Smart View a selection of files and folder can be created based on a combination of Tag(s). Every time a new Tag is used in the Smart View, the possible combinations are updated.

 

The possible combinations are shown in the list that of the Smart View Pane.

Every item in the list represents a collection of Tags.

If the collection is included , the Result will contain all files and folder having all the Tags of the collection.

If the collection is excluded , the Result will not contain any file or folder having all the Tags of the collection.

 

Example:

The Tags “Amsterdam”, “New York” and “London” are used in the Smart View.

The Tag(s) collection “Amsterdam + New York” is included.

The Tag(s) collection “London” is excluded.

 

The result of the Smart View will be:

“files/folders connected with Tag Amsterdam as well as Tag New York

  minus files/folders connected with Tag London“

A Smart View can be saved for later use.

 

Tag(s) collection

A collection of one of more Tags that can be combined in a Smart View. Every collection of Tag(s) can be Ignored, Included or Excluded. The result of the combination of Tag(s) collections and their individual settings is a list of files and/or folders.

 

Smart View pane

The Smart View pane can be found below the Folder View in the explorer. It shows the combinations that can be made.

 

 

The Smart View pane allows you to use the context menu to modify the combinations.

 

Add a Tag to a Smart View

─      Select a Tag.

○      In the context menu select Use in smart view. ¹

○      Use the mouse to Drag and Drop the Tag. Drop the Tag on the Smart View  node.

 

Show Smart View Results

─      Select the Smart View  node.

○      In the context menu select Show results.

○      In the pane below the Folder View press the show results button .

Edit a Smart View

─      Select the saved Smart View   you want to edit

○      In the context menu select Edit.

○      In the pane below the Folder View press the show results button .

Smart View result name restrictions

Rename a Smart View

─      Select the saved Smart View  you want to rename.

○      In the context menu select Rename.

○      On the keyboard, press F2.

Include in Smart View Results

─      In the pane below the Folder View select the Tag or Tag combination you want to include.

○      In the context menu select Plus.

○      On the keyboard, press +.

Remove a Tag from Smart View Results

─      In the pane below the Folder View select the Tag or Tag combination you want to remove.

○      In the context menu select Remove Tag(s).

○      On the keyboard, press Delete.

Remove all Tags from Smart View Results

─      Click in the pane below the Folder View.

○      In the context menu select Remove all Tag(s).

Ignore

─      In the pane below the Folder View select the Tag or Tag combination you want to ignore.

○      In the context menu select Ignore.

○      On the keyboard, press Spacebar.

 

Save a Smart View

─      Select the Smart View node  or the Results node  in the tree.

○      In the context menu, choose Save.

○      In the Smart View Pane, choose the button .

A new Smart View with the default name New Smart View is created.

 

Delete a Smart View

─      Select the Smart View you want to delete.

○      In the context menu, choose Delete.

○      On the keyboard, press Delete.

 

Remove a Tag from the Smart View

─      Select a Tag(s) Collection in the Smart View Pane.

○      In the context menu, choose Remove tag(s).

○      On the keyboard, press Delete.

All Tag(s) collections containing the Tags of the selected Tag(s) Collection will be removed.

 

 

Exclude from Smart View Results

─      Select a Tag(s) Collection in the Smart View Pane.

○      In the context menu, choose Minus.

○      On the keyboard, press ▬.

The result of the Smart View will not contain any files or folders having the Tags of the selected Tag(s) Collection.

 

Clear a Smart View

─      Select the Smart View node  in the tree.

○      In the context menu, choose Clear.

○      In the Smart View Pane, choose the button .

○      In the context menu of the Smart View Pane, choose Remove all Tags

All Tag(s) Collections will be removed.

 

 

Restrictions

Item name

The name may contain up to 255 characters, including spaces.  The following characters may not be used for the name:  \ (back-slash),  / (forward slash), : (colon), * (asterisk), ? (question mark), "(double quotes), < (less than symbol), > (greater than symbol), and | (pipe or vertical bar.

 

Copy- and Move Tag destination

The destination tag cannot be a sub tag of the source tag.

 

Shortcuts

Ctrl+Shift+A : Create a new Tag as child of the selected Tag or Tag group.

Ctrl+Shift+G: Goto the Tagging node in the Navigation Pane(tree).

Ctrl+Shift+S: Create a new Tag as sibling of the selected Tag.

Ctrl+Shift+M: Show the ‘More Tags dialog’ for create a link.

Ctrl+Shift+Q: Add the selected item to the ‘Tag with’ list.

Ctrl+Shift+T: ‘Tag’ (create a link) with the first entry on the ‘Tag with’ list.

Ctrl+Shift+’+’: Add or select a Tag in the Tagpane.

Ctrl+Shift+Tab: Navigate to the location of a linked file or folder shown in the Folder View.