Windows 8 – Searching for files in File Explorer

Here is a recent post from the Microsoft Windows Site for Windows 8:

To search for files File Explorer, use the search box in the upper right. Search looks in all folders and subfolders within the library or folder you’re viewing. When you tap or click inside the search box, the Search Tools tab appears. As you enter your search terms, your results will start to appear with your search terms highlighted.

Windows 8 - Search results in File Explorer
Search results in File Explorer

Here are some other things you can do with the search box and the Search Tools tab:

Small Business IT Support in LA & Orange County, Business IT SupportTo search for all files with a particular file extension, such as .txt, you can enter it like this: *.txt.

Small Business IT Support for LA & Orange County based businessTo search for a file based on properties such as the date it was last modified or what kind of file it is (such as “Picture”), first tap or click the Search Tools tab and use the options in the Refine group, and then enter your search terms in the search box. For example, if you want to search only file names and not file contents, tap or click Other properties, choose Name, and then enter your search term.

Small Business IT Support in LA & Orange CountyIf you can’t find what you’re looking for in a specific library or folder, you can expand the search to include different locations. When the search results appear, tap or click the Search Tools tab, and then choose an option under Search again in. (Some options might not be available in Windows RT.)

Small Business IT Support in LA & Orange County, Servers, Desktops, LaptopsIf search results don’t contain matches from file contents, the location you’re searching isn’t in the search index. To include file contents for a single search, tap or click the Search Tools tab, tap or click Advanced options, and then choose File contents. To add the location to the index so that file contents are always included in searches, tap or click the Search Tools tab, tap or click Advanced options, and then choose Change indexed locations. For more info about adding locations to the index, see Indexing and Search: Frequently asked questions.

Small Business IT Support in LA & Orange CountyAbout Advanced Network Consulting:

For companies with 5-75 employees, Advanced Network Consulting is the ideal solution for providing onsite, ongoing technology support.  Serving Southern California small and medium size businesses for nearly 20 years, our Certified IT Consultants provide desktop and network support, network security, server maintenance and upgrades.  For a complimentary onsite evaluation of your system, call 562.903.3992.  We look forward to meeting and forming a technology plan to grow your business.