- Introduction
- Using the Explorer Window
- Changing the Explorer Window View
- Opening and Viewing the Computer
- Viewing and Opening Documents
- Working with Libraries
- Working with Personal Folders
- Navigating Between Folders
- Viewing the Folders List
- Changing the Explorer Layout
- Customizing the Navigation Pane
- Organizing Files by Headings
- Searching for Files and Folders
- Saving a Search
- Changing Search Options
- Performing an Instant Search
- Performing an Advanced Search
- Performing Natural Language Searches
- Modifying the Index to Improve Searches
- Adding Properties and Tags to Files
- Creating and Renaming Files and Folders
- Copying and Moving Files and Folders
- Deleting and Restoring Files and Folders
- Changing File and Folder List Views
- Hiding Files and Folders
- Changing Folder Options
- Customizing Library Folder
- Customizing Personal Folders
- Sharing Folders or Files with Others
- Compressing Files and Folders
- Managing Files Using a CD or DVD
- Creating a Shortcut to a File or Folder
Performing an Advanced Search
The Search box at the bottom of the Start menu and at the top of every Explorer window filters out items that don’t match the text you type. The search includes text in the file name, text in the file, tags (a custom file property), and other file properties. In the Search box, you can perform advanced searches by specifying properties and using boolean filters. For example, Name:Agenda finds only files that have the word agenda in the file name. In addition, you can use boolean filters, such as AND, NOT, OR, Quotes, Parentheses, >, or <. For example, Agenda AND Report find files that contain both words agenda and report. When you type boolean filters, you need to use all capital letters. You can also combine properties and boolean filters together to create a more specific search.
Find Files and Folders Using the Search Folder
- Turn off natural language search. (default off).
- Click the Start button, click Control Panel, click Appearance and Personalization, click Folder Options, click the Search tab, clear the Use natural language search check box, and then click OK.
- Click in the Search box at the bottom of the Start menu or at the top of an Explorer window.
- Type an advanced search. See the table for some examples.