Searching for Files

If you've created a file and have forgotten where it is or have accidentally saved it in the incorrect place, you can use the Search facility to locate where it is on your computer. Search can look for files by name, date created, author or other criteria.

The search facility is located in the top right hand corner of the Windows Explorer screen.

To use this:

  1. Select the area of the computer you want to search by clicking on it in the Navigation Pane. In the example above the search will look in the Libraries for the missing file. If you want to search the entire computer click on "Computer" (towards the bottom left of the above example).

  2. Type in the name (or part of the name) in the Search box.

    1. As you start to type the computer will already start searching to try to match the name you've typed with the name of files stored on the computer.

  3. If you want to refine your search you can instruct the computer to find files which were modified on a specific date (or date range) or for files of a particular type.

  4. At the end of the search all files which matched the search criteria will be shown in the main pane of the window. If you have successfully located the missing file, you can now move it to where you want it to be stored, hopefully somewhere in your structured filing system where you will be able to find it easily again.