You don't have to depend on Explorer for all your file management tasks. You can do many of them on the fly in most standard Windows 9x file dialogue boxes. Just right-click an object to cut, copy, delete, or rename. Right-click a blank space to paste any cut or copied files and undo almost any file operation, including copy, move, delete, and rename. If you need a new folder, clicking the Create New Folder button adds one to the current location. (Why couldn't Microsoft have added that button to every Explorer toolbar?)

In Windows 98, a new button makes short work of another common task ù click the Show Desktop button, and you'll jump to the desktop instantly.

One last note: some of these tricks don't work in Word or Excel, since those programs lack the standard Windows 9x dialogue box. Judging by interface standards, you'd never know Windows and Microsoft Office were made by the same company.