The Ultimate Guide To Windows File Search: Tips And Tricks For Better Results

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Windows File Search is a powerful feature that allows users to find specific files or folders on their computers quickly. However, it can be frustrating when the search results do not match what you were looking for. Fortunately, there are many tips and tricks that can help you get better results. In this ultimate guide to Windows File Search, we will cover everything you need to know to become a search expert.

Tip 1: Use Advanced Search Operators

When you perform a search in Windows File Search, you can use advanced search operators to refine your results. These operators allow you to search for specific types of files, date ranges, and other criteria. Here are some of the most valuable operators:

• Type — This operator allows you to search for files of a specific type. For example, if you want to find all PDF files on your computer, you can use the “type:pdf” search term.
• Date — This operator allows you to search for files based on their creation or modification date. For example, if you want to find all files modified in the last week, you can use the search term “datemodified:this week”.
• Size — This operator allows you to search for files based on their size. For example, if you want to find all files larger than 1GB, you can use the search term “size:>1KB”.
• Author — This operator allows you to search for files created by a specific person. For example, if you want to find all files created by Adam Brown, you can use the search term “author:Adam Brown”.

Image: Search For Files Based On Their Size

Tip 2: Use Filters

In addition to advanced search operators, Windows File Search allows you to use filters to refine your search results. Filters are located in the search bar, allowing you to narrow down your results by file type, date modified, size, and more. Here are some of the most useful filters:

• Kind — This filter allows you to search for specific file types, such as documents, pictures, or videos.
• Date modified — This filter allows you to search for files based on their modification date. You can choose from preset ranges, such as “Today” or “Last week”, or specify a custom date range.
• Size — This filter allows you to search for files based on their size. You can choose from preset ranges, such as “Small” or “Large”, or specify a custom size range.
• Type — This filter allows you to search for files based on their file extension. You can choose from a list of common file types or specify a custom file extension.

Image: Use Filter To Search Files

Tip 3: Search By Content

If you are looking for a specific piece of text within a file, you can use the “Content” search option. This option allows you to search for files that contain particular words or phrases within their contents. To use this option, follow these steps:

• Click on the search bar in File Explorer.
• Type in the search term you want to find.
• Click on “Search” and select “This PC” from the dropdown menu.
• Click on “Advanced Options” and select “File Contents” from the list of options.

This will search for files that contain the specified text within their contents.

Image: Search Files By Content

Tip 4: Use Search Indexing

Windows File Search uses a search indexing feature to speed up searches and provide more accurate results. This feature creates a database of all the files on your computer and their contents, allowing Windows to search through them when you perform a search quickly.

However, if you have recently added or modified files on your computer, the search index may not be up to date. To rebuild the search index, follow these steps:

• Type “Indexing Options” in the Start menu search bar and click on the corresponding result.
• Click on the “Advanced” button.
• Click on the “Rebuild” button under the Troubleshooting section.
• Wait for the search index to be rebuilt, which may take some time, depending on the size of your files.

Image: Rebuild The Search Index

Tip 5: Customize Your Search Index

You can modify the indexing options if you want to customize your search index further. To do this, follow these steps:

• Type “Indexing Options” in the Start menu search bar and click on the corresponding result.
• Click on the “Advanced” button.
• Click on the “Index Settings” tab.
• Here you can customize which files and folders are indexed and the properties of those indexed files.

Image: Customize Your Search Index

By customizing your search index, you can ensure that Windows File Search only searches through the files and folders you need, which can help improve search performance and accuracy.

Tip 6: Use Third-Party Search Tools

If you still are not getting the results you need from Windows File Search, many third-party search tools can help. These tools often offer more advanced search options and faster search performance than Windows File Search. Some popular third-party search tools include Everything, Anytxt Searcher, and FileLocator Pro.

Upgrade Your Windows File Searching With Anytxt Searcher

When it comes to searching for files on your Windows computer, the built-in search tool can sometimes fall short. Anytxt Searcher can help with that. This powerful search tool is designed to help you find files faster and with better accuracy, no matter how large your file library may be.

Image: File Searching And Indexing With Anytxt Searcher

One of the most significant advantages of Anytxt Searcher is its ability to search for files by content rather than just file name. This means that you can find files based on specific keywords or phrases, even if you do not know the file name. Anytxt Searcher also supports a wide range of file types, including text, Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, and more.

In addition to its powerful search capabilities, Anytxt Searcher is highly customizable. You can filter search results by file type, size, date modified, and more, making finding the exact file you need more accessible. You can save your search queries for future use or export search results to a CSV file.

In short, if you want to upgrade your Windows file search experience, Anytxt Searcher is worth checking out. Its advanced search capabilities and customizable features can help you find files faster and with greater accuracy, saving you time and hassle in the process.

Conclusion

Windows File Search can be a powerful tool for quickly finding specific files or folders on your computer. Advanced search operators, filters, and other tips and tricks can improve your search results and save time. Remember to keep your search index up to date and consider using third-party search tools, such as Anytxt searcher, if you need more advanced search options. With these tips, you will be a search expert in no time