Let's face it: Searching your PC for files within Windows has always been mildly confusing, especially with several options for searching right in Windows 10 and 11. But if you're convinced a particular file is hidden somewhere on your PC, try these tips to find it and get back to work.
We can't guarantee that finding a file will be as easy as using a search engine like Google. (Incidentally, Google once made a desktop search engine for your PC, but it has since been discontinued.) But realizing what Windows is searching for, when it's doing it, and how to interpret results should make life much easier.
Finally, it's important to realize that there are essentially two search mechanisms built into your PC: the built-in Windows Search, and File Explorer. The first is best for commonly used files, while File Explorer’s search function is a powerful tool that can be used to root out more deeply hidden files. Both Windows Search and File Explorer are integrated with Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage, but File Explorer does a better job of letting you know which files are where.
ALL SEARCH BOXES ARE NOT THE SAME
Before you begin, there are two things you need to know: where to search, and what to search. Windows Search appears as the magnifying glass icon on your Windows 11 taskbar, and as the search box on your Taskbar in Windows 10. In Windows 11, there’s a search box at the top of the Windows 11 Start menu, which magically reconfigures the Start menu into the Search menu when you click on it. Windows File Explorer also has a search box at the top of its search window.
This story is from the November 2022 edition of PCWorld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 2022 edition of PCWorld.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
5 Compelling Reasons to Buy a Windows Laptop Instead of a MacBook
MacBooks are powerful and chic. That's also true of many Window Notebooks - And they have other advantages that MacBook can't counter.
5 tips to make Gmail more secure
Bank statements, contracts, tickets, love letters…most things in this world can be sent via email, and protecting your email is extremely important.
TunnelBear VPN: It's just right for beginners
Come for the bear puns, stay for the security.
Contour SliderMouse Pro: This mouse saves your hands
Unusual ergonomic mouse is here to save your hands
Woohoo! You can get a Raspberry Pi again
Availability hasn't completely recovered, but it's looking much better already.
Microsoft begins pulling the plug on Cortana
Cortana probably won't live for much longer.
Norton's free Al-powered Genie tool helps you spot online scams
Not sure if the message, email, link or social media post you've received is a scam? The Al-powered Norton Genie is designed to help.
Google now alerts you if your contact info appears online
Better decades late than never.
Microsoft 365 makeover: Office docs are getting new default look
Significant changes are coming to your Office documents with Microsoft 365's new default theme.
Smart Answers: GenAl tool makes it easier to find the info you need on PCWorld
Smart Answers puts you in the driving seat for content discovery.