Searching for files on your Windows computer doesn’t have to be a guessing game. With the right techniques, you can quickly find documents, photos, or programs—even if you forgot where you saved them. Here are five essential file search and indexing tips every beginner Windows user should know, complete with step-by-step instructions and practical examples.
How Can I Use Windows Search to Find Files Quickly?
1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E on your keyboard.
2. In the top-right corner, you’ll see a search box labeled “Search Quick access” or “Search This PC” (depending on your view).
3. Click into the search box and start typing the name, part of the name, or the file type you’re looking for (for example, “report” or “.jpg” for images).
4. Wait for Windows to display matching results. You can refine the search by using the filters on the toolbar, such as “Date modified” or “Kind”.
Real-world Example:
If you need to find a Word document about a project called “Greenhouse”, type “Greenhouse” or “*.docx” in the search box while in the Documents folder.
What Is the Indexing Service and Why Should I Use It?
Windows uses indexing to catalog files and their properties, which makes searches much faster. By default, Windows indexes common folders, but you can customize this to include other locations.
1. Press the Windows key and type “Indexing Options”, then hit Enter.
2. In the Indexing Options window, click “Modify”.
3. Check or uncheck folders to include or exclude them from the index.
4. Click “OK”, then “Close”.
Example:
If you save work files in a custom folder on your D: drive, add that folder to the index for faster searches.
How Do I Search by File Type or Date Modified?
You can narrow your search by using special commands known as search filters.
1. In File Explorer, click into the search box.
2. For file type, type `*.pdf` (for PDFs) or `*.jpg` (for images).
3. For date modified, use the “Date modified” filter on the toolbar or type `datemodified:this week` in the search box.
Example:
To find all Excel files changed this month, type `*.xlsx datemodified:this month` in the search box.
How Can I Use Advanced Search Tools Like Glary Utilities?
For more powerful file search and maintenance, Glary Utilities is an all-in-one solution. It includes a file finder and duplicate file cleaner.
1. Download and install Glary Utilities from the official website.
2. Open Glary Utilities and click on “Advanced Tools”.
3. Select “File Management” then choose “Quick Search” or “Duplicate Files Finder”.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to search for files or identify duplicates.
Benefit:
Glary Utilities not only finds files but can also clean up duplicates, saving you space and making your searches even faster.
What Should I Do If Searches Are Slow or Incomplete?
If your searches take too long or miss files, rebuild the search index.
1. Open “Indexing Options” (see earlier steps).
2. Click “Advanced”.
3. In the new window, under “Troubleshooting”, click “Rebuild”.
4. Wait for the process to complete. This may take a while but ensures your searches are accurate and fast.
Pro Tip:
Running Glary Utilities’ disk cleanup and maintenance tools can also speed up your system and improve file search performance.
Conclusion
With these five tips, even a beginner Windows user can become a file search pro. Remember to take advantage of Windows built-in tools and consider comprehensive solutions like Glary Utilities for enhanced search and maintenance. Finding your files will be faster, easier, and more reliable every time.