How to Search in File Explorer in Windows 10
The Search Box in File Explorer allows you to find and view all your files and folders in one place.
As you type in the Search Box, a simple search through the index begins to match your typed text with folder names, files names, the contents of files, and file properties. It will then display the search results in File Explorer.
You can also perform an advanced search using Search Tools from the ribbon to find files or folders by date (taken, modified, or created), folder path, kind, name, rating, size, property tags, and/or type.
See also:
This tutorial will show you how to use the Search Box in File Explorer to perform a simple and advanced search for your files and folders in Windows 10.
Here's How:
1 Open the folder, drive, or network location you want to search within in File Explorer (Win+E).
2 Click/tap in the Search Box to have the Search tab for Search Tools in the ribbon available. (see screenshot below)
In Windows 10 version 1909, the Search tab for Search Tools in the ribbon will now only be available after you perform a search from the Search Box.
3 In the Search tab of the ribbon, select the location filter ("This PC", "Current folder", or "All subfolders") you want to search in. (see screenshot below)
Location Filter Description This PC Search this pc. Current folder Search only in the selected folder, and not in any subfolders. All subfolders Search in the selected folder and all of its subfolders.
4 Type what you want to search (ex: "*.txt") for in the Search Box to start a simple search. (see screenshot below)
If you like, you can select a recent search from your search history to use instead.
5 If you like, you can now perform an advanced search by using any of the Search Tools below to refine your search results.
A) In the Search tab, click/tap on Date modified in the ribbon, and select a date to search by. (see screenshot below)
B) If you need to further adjust the Date modified filter, click/tap on it in the Search Box, and select a date or date range to search by. (see screenshot below)
A) In the Search tab, click/tap on Kind in the ribbon, and select a file kind to search by. (see screenshot below)
B) If you need to further adjust the file Kind filter, click/tap on it in the Search Box, and select a different file kind to search by. (see screenshot below)
A) In the Search tab, click/tap on Size in the ribbon, and select a file size range to search by. (see screenshot below)
B) If you need to further adjust the file Size filter, click/tap on it in the Search Box, and select a different file size range to search by. (see screenshot below)
A) In the Search tab, click/tap on Other properties in the ribbon, and select a file property to search by. (see screenshot below)
B) Type what you want to search by in the Search Box for the selected file property. (see screenshots below)
For some common search syntax to use for this, see: Advanced Query Syntax (Windows)
6 If needed, you could click/tap on search again in in the Search tab and select a different location to search in. (see screenshot below)
7 If you like, you can save this search with the current filters to make it easier and faster to perform on demand. (see screenshot below)
8 If you see the file or folder you were searching for in the search results, then you can select it, and click/tap on Open file location in the Search tab ribbon to be taken to its source location. (see screenshot below)
That's it,
Shawn Brink
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Search in File Explorer in Windows 10
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New #1
Hi, could this be extended to include some syntax which is not widely known, and seemingly not available via the ribbon features? I've come across a couple-the most recent needed in a thread - and not documented here:
https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/win...s-aqsreference
was
datecreated:1/8/19 .. 5/9/19
or
created:1/8/19 .. 5/9/19
similarly
datemodified:1/8/19 .. 5/9/19
modified:1/8/19 .. 5/9/19
- although I think it's just about possible to work out that datemodified syntax from that document - if you know what you're looking for. created doesn't seem to be given there.
You mention date range above, but i don't think that syntax is given in the tutorial.
Similarly e.g.
size:100000 .. 5000000
There were 1 or 2 others a long time back but I can't presently recall them. I think Kari knows more..
Thanks
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New #3
It's a bit arcane..definitely a minority interest. Kari seems averse to 3rd party search tools from comments made, but they offer GuI based options rather than 'now how do I do that' syntax. However there are some things explorer search can do at a detailed level such tools don't, and not all of those seem to be documented.
explorer search is also a bit more capable than seems documented- witness example above. I've perhaps seen 3 or 4 threads where such detail was in question - I guess many people don't use the ribbon features you've shown to structure a search.
Never tried anything quite like this before (I don't use tasbar search).. but it works, which I suppose is encouraging...(!)
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New #4
I agree - these syntaxes are very useful. I always have too many files on my computer
so often use searches like this to find stuff. Some of my favourites are:
- Datemodified:>=01/09/2019 (all files modified from 01/09/2019 - not sure how this changes with different date formats in different regions)
- name:~~forum (files where part of the name includes "forum", including for instance names like "tenforumsinfo.txt" which wouldn't match in the regular GUI search which only matches the start of words/whole words (can't remember which). As mentioned Kari is the expert and I got this tip from him)
- content:forum ext:txt (files with .txt extension, containing the word "forum" - although this probably only works reliably with plain text files). That may also have come from Kari, come to think of it.
Microsoft also supports a similar (albeit not exactly the same) search syntax to search emails in the Outlook desktop app and also in Outlook.com mail accounts. I did a tutorial once on how you can use this sort of syntax to search using the Windows 10 Mail app if you have an Outlook email account.Last edited by DavidY; 13 Sep 2019 at 03:40.
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New #5
Hi,
I'm using Win10 Pro x64 last updated v.1909 18363.592
How could I get the "Search Tools" appears at the top of Explorer next to "Drive Tools" (see image bellow)
Regards
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New #6
Have you tried clicking in the Search box?
- or does that not work in 1909, where search is somewhat broken?
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New #8
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New #9
Hello,
I think it's called "instant search results" when as soon as the you start typing something in File Explorer search box it displays search results in File Explorer window. Now I have to click the arrow to find what I'm looking for and the "back" button when I'm done. Is there any way I can go back to the convenient way to search?
Thanks in advance
Search in File Explorer in Windows 10
How to Search in File Explorer in Windows 10Published by Shawn BrinkCategory: General Tips
26 Dec 2022
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