- Introduction
- Using the Explorer Window
- Changing the Explorer Window View
- Using the Ribbon
- Choosing Commands
- Opening and Viewing This PC
- 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
- Sorting and Grouping Files
- Searching for Files and Folders
- Saving a Search
- Changing Search Options
- 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 Folders
- 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
Searching for Files and Folders
Sometimes remembering precisely where you stored a file can be difficult. File Explorer allows you to use Windows Search Explorer (by default) to help you find and view all of your files or folders in one place. You start a search by using the Search box. As you type in a Search box, the search looks for matches in the file name, contents, and property tags, and displays the highlighted results in a Search Results folder. If you don’t find the file or folders you’re looking for, you can perform an advanced search using a menu from the Search box. An advanced search gives you the option to find files or folders by type, name, title, location, date (taken, modified, or created), size, or property tag. The search locates files and programs stored anywhere in indexed locations, which includes personal folders, e-mail, offline files, and web sites in your History list.
Create a Simple Search
- In the desktop, click or tap the File Explorer button on the taskbar.
- Open an Explorer window in the location where you want to search.
Click or tap in the Search box.
A search tab appears. Disregard the tab for a simple search.
Type a word or part of a word.
As you type, programs and files that match your text appear highlighted in the Search Results window. You don’t have to press Enter.
To clear and close the search, click or tap the Close button (x) on the Search tab or in the Search box.
Create an Advanced Search
- In the desktop, click or tap the File Explorer button on the taskbar.
- Open an Explorer window in the location where you want to search.
- Click or tap in the Search box.
- A Search tab appears with advanced options.
- Click or tap the This PC, Current folder, or All subfolders to specify a search location.
Click or tap the Refine buttons you want on the Search tab, and then select an option.
- Date modified. Searches by date modified.
- Kind. Searches by kind of file, such as Document, E-mail, Video, or Instant Message.
- Size. Searches by file size.
- Other properties. Searches by file type, name, folder path, or property tag.
- To set additional options, click or tap the Advanced options button, and then click or tap Partial matches, File contents, System files, or Zipped (compressed folders) to enable or disable.
- Type in search criteria in the Search box or select from the available criteria.
- To search again in other locations, click or tap the Search again in button, and then click or tap Homegroup, Libraries, or Internet.
To clear and close the search, click or tap the Close button (x) on the Search tab or in the Search box.