Patent ID: 7769794

Claim:
A file system shell browser defined by computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media, said file system shell browser navigable by a user to manage a plurality of data items, said file system shell browser comprising: a page space control navigable by the user to identify a first set of data items having at least one common metadata; a virtual address bar identifying a virtual path to the first set of data items by referencing the first set of data items according to the at least one common metadata, wherein the virtual path is comprised of a first interactive segment that references one or more of the plurality of data items according to a corresponding filter that applies a user-selected metadata value and selects one or more of the plurality of data items or other content, and wherein the virtual path is further comprised of one or more additional interactive segments that further restrict the one or more of the plurality of data items referenced by the preceding interactive segments; a primary view pane presenting a first display of the first set of data items; and a preview pane presenting information corresponding to one of the first set of data items.