How to find a specific file on your computer. Start menu search box. How to distinguish an archive from other files

Now, in our modern age, one cannot do without a good knowledge of a computer. But how to navigate the huge number of programs and files that are on your hard drive? First, we will try to explain to you how you can find a program on your computer.

We are looking for a program
If you don't know, after the program is installed, it automatically creates a shortcut on the desktop. If you want to see where the program was installed, then just view the PROPERTIES of the shortcut, to do this, click on it right click mouse, then properties and location. The directory where the program you need is installed will be indicated there.

Now let's look at what needs to be done to, for example, find a photo from your picnic.

Remember that the saved photo is the same file, and now we will tell you how to find the file on your computer. The easiest way is to open the folder where your photos are saved. But how to find a folder on a computer is another question.

Looking for a folder
And there is no difficulty here, especially if you remember where you saved the folder. But if you have forgotten where you placed it, then you should not be upset, an "internal search" will come to your aid.
And so, press the START button and select the SEARCH menu, a search window will open in front of you, there you indicate the name assigned to the folder, in our case it will be the name "picnic". Click the ENTER button, this starts the search. During the search, the computer scans all files and gives you all the available folders with similar names, in the results that the computer gave you, look for the folder you need.
The task becomes more difficult if we do not remember the name of the folder. We again use internal search and set additional search criteria - name (part of the name), creation (modified) date, size, file extension, estimated location ( logical drive), after all that has been done, we cash in on ENTER. After the search is over, we look at the results that the computer gave us.

My computer
The program is launched by launching them through special shortcuts, which are placed on the desktop for convenience. Basically, each has shortcuts to the desktop of those programs that are often used. Usually on the desktop there is an icon MY COMPUTER, since we often have to be interested in service information about the system. The more programs are installed on our computer, the less free space becomes on the screen, and we have to delete unnecessary shortcuts to the trash. How can we find MY COMPUTER if we accidentally deleted the icon along with unnecessary programs in the basket. In this case, there is nothing easier. To do this, press the START button, right-click MY COMPUTER, left-click the menu DISPLAY ON DESKTOP. And now, on your desktop, the shortcut MY COMPUTER reappeared.

There is another option. To do this, open the trash can, find the shortcut to MY COMPUTER there, right-click RESTORE.

For this in operating system Windows is built-in and pretty effective function... Located at: Start -> Search

Also, the file search window can be launched from any directory window, for example, my computer, by clicking on the "Search" button:

a window like this will open:

Here we can select the file type, be it text documents or multimedia files. When you click on the desired one, a window for selecting additional parameters will appear. For example, let's select the search for multimedia files (images, music, video):

By checking the box next to the required type and clicking the "Find" button. Take video for example, all video files on your computer will be found. Very handy when you finally decided to clean up your hard drive and want all the movies, clips, etc. place in one place so as not to waste time on their constant search or when you remember exactly that somewhere you have this file, but where can you find it ?! This is where it will help you. this function... You can also search for all video files on your computer by opening additional search parameters, in the line "Part of the name or the whole file name":

write video file types separated by commas in this form: * .avi, * .mp4, * .3gp, * .flv, * .swf, * .mpeg, * .mov. These are the most common video file extensions. In this case, all files with this extension will be found. But in this case, you may be missing some files without specifying the appropriate extension.

In addition, you can specify additional parameters such as file size, date last change file, whether or not to search in hidden / system folders and files, the search path, you can search both throughout the computer and by selecting a drive or directory.

Large volume modern discs allows you to save a lot of documents or multimedia files. Therefore, without initially subjecting your directories to a certain structuring, you can get complete chaos on your hard disk. If this has already happened, and you have forgotten the location of any files, it will be difficult to find them, not knowing how to use the built-in search of the operating system.

Search by file name

Knowing the name of the document, you will greatly facilitate your task and after a short period of time you will already see the file you are looking for on your computer screen. There are several ways to find it by name in Windows 7.

Through the start menu

There is a search box in the start menu of the operating system. To find the required document through this field, you must:

1. Click on the "Start" button.
2. Find a field.
3. Enter the name by which the search will be carried out.
4. Read the proposed results.

After entering the proposed name of the document, you will immediately be presented with a list of found files:

In this case, Windows 7 was looking for a document called "Agency". As you can see from the previous screenshot, the first suggested option is the desired file.

How to find in a folder?

There is another way to find documents. In each directory Windows explorer 7 there is a corresponding field:

Therefore, knowing the name of the file and its location, you can:

1. Open desired folder in the explorer.
2. Enter the name of the document in the field.
3. Get the result.

In this example, the search was performed using the Biology template. As a result, the following files and folders were found:

Knowing the location of the object is not necessary. It simply speeds up the search for files by the operating system. Because modern computers have high productivity, duration of stay necessary information with a known location and with an unknown one practically does not differ. If you have no idea in which folder and even on which disk the file is saved, you can search all over your computer:

Additional filters

With a common file name, you run the risk of seeing several thousand options that complicate the choice the required document... If you know the date the file was modified or its size, you can specify them when searching (by entering a template in the field, you will see the proposed filters):

You can also scroll down the found list and limit the search range by clicking the "Other" button:

After such a click, Windows 7 will display the settings window:

In this window, you must:

1. Mark the necessary folders in which the search will be carried out.
2. Confirm the selection with the "OK" button

After the performed actions, the number of found items in the list will significantly decrease, so it will become much easier to find the one you need.

How to find inside files?

The above methods make it easier to search by name. But what if you don't know the name? In this case, you should know approximately the text of the document you are looking for. Windows 7 can find files by their contents. Such a function was not introduced in vain, because it is easier for a computer user to remember what is inside a document than to try to recall its name in memory.

By default, this method of finding files is disabled in the operating system. To enable it, you must:

1. Open "Computer" in Explorer.
2. Press and release the ALT button (this action allows the top horizontal menu, which is usually hidden in its normal state).
3. Select the "Service" item.
4. Go to the sub-item "Folder options".

After clicking the mouse on the specified submenu, Windows 7 will display the following window:

In it, you must:

1. Go to the "Search" tab.
2. Check the box responsible for scanning the contents of objects;
3. Confirm the changes with the "Apply" button.

The procedure is shown in the following screenshot:

This method significantly slows down the search for the desired object, but sometimes it is simply irreplaceable (for example, if several people use the computer). Therefore, if you do not want to wait and do not want to waste time scanning inside all documents, you can enable or disable this option at your discretion. After changing the settings, the file search is carried out according to the same scheme as described above, without any changes.

An example of finding a document by its content

You can find an object by any phrase, but it is especially easy to search for a file with poems. After all, it is easier to remember a line from a poem than a phrase from an accounting report. However, in the second case, a few of the most common words in the document will help you find any report.

For example, somewhere you have a document with Shakespeare's sonnets, and you remember the phrase from one sonnet: "Will you compare me." To find this collection on your computer, you need:

1. Open "Computer" in the explorer.
2. Go to the required folder (if known).
3. Enter the phrase you remember in the search field.
4. Get the result.

In this way, any information is found, provided that it is saved on your disk.

It so happened that after the release of Windows 7, many users were disappointed in the file and folder search system. The fact is that in the standard version of the settings, there is not even a search by the contents of the file. Windows 7 turned out to be somewhat unusual in this respect.

Windows 7 search basics

It goes without saying that some of the basic elements of the search have been retained. But searching for files in Windows 7 itself has become slower. In addition, if you enter a routine computer scan for the presence of files with a specific extension, the system itself assumes the use of a comparison of the entered type only in the name of the file or folder.

Sorry, same content search Windows file 7 in initial setup no parameters at all. It, as well as other parameters, must be configured in manual mode... What was the reason for this approach is still a mystery.

Standard tools

Naturally, when invoking the standard explorer, you can use either the search bar in the upper right part of the main application window, or the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + F. Actually, it works in almost all programs, with rare exceptions.

But now about the system. As for the search for programs and applications, everything is simple here. The system is very well optimized in this regard. Even in the "Start" menu in the line below you can enter at least part of the name. The result will be instant. If for some reason the user is not satisfied with it, a link is displayed just below, indicating that you can familiarize yourself with other search results. In principle, it is very convenient. In addition, in this case, all supposed matches will be shown, and sorted even by file type.

Search setting

In order to properly configure the search for files in Windows 7, you just need to type the phrase "Search options" in the main menu "Start" in the bottom line and select their change in the results.

In the new window, you should not use the search parameter by name or file content. This is due to the fact that the system will give out a huge number of extraneous results, especially if the service responsible for overlap is involved.

In this case, when searching for files in Windows 7, it is better to use changing the indexing parameters. However, you should not choose system folders, in which the required file simply cannot be located.

Another important point in the indexing parameters is the setting of search by extension. On the "Advanced" tab, you just need to select the types you want registered extensions on the system, and then set the property and content indexing parameter as a priority. Thus, you can get rid of the appearance of results that may coincide with the original at least partially.

In the same "Explorer" when you click on search bar you can select the appropriate filters. It is worth noting right away: the more filters, the slower the search for files in Windows 7 will be. You yourself understand that you need to use them with a certain degree of caution, and even then only as a last resort, when you need to find something specific with full confidence that that such a file or folder is present on a hard disk or logical partition.

Find duplicate files

Unfortunately, duplicate files are standard Windows tools 7 it turns out to be quite problematic to find. That is why it is recommended to search for duplicate files using third-party utilities.

One of the most simple programs can be called the well-known application Duplicate File Finder. It is designed even for an inexperienced user and allows you to perform almost all operations without his participation. But the trouble is - then you have to puzzle over which of the duplicates to delete. The fact is that some programs during installation different versions can inject files into the system with the same names and extensions, which the application itself can identify as the same (and even when comparing checksums). So you have to be very careful here.

Windows 7 File Finder

As for the search tools, we have already figured out a little what it is. Now it is worth noting that the question of how to enable file search in Windows 7 has another aspect. Everyone knows that the recovery of deleted files and folders in the system is not provided.

It is better to use system utilities like Recuva programs, which is capable of recovering deleted data even after formatting the hard drive or partition. Unfortunately, she, like some others software packages, does not always work correctly in terms of determining the state remote file... In addition, some utilities are generally narrowly focused. For example, they can search and recover only media files (graphics, video or audio) or office documents... So here, too, you need to choose exactly what the user needs at the moment.

As for how the search is done hidden files in Windows 7, everything is simple here. Using standard tools systems, you must first enable their display in service menu on the "View" tab, where the corresponding parameter is activated. Naturally, after that you can use a regular search engine using the same indexing or search by extension or content. As you can see, there are no problems.

Conclusion

In conclusion, it remains to add that although the search for files in Windows 7 is organized somewhat differently, compared, say, with the same XP or Vista system (not to mention more early versions), nevertheless, with the right approach, configure the search engine you can, as they say, for yourself, using some additional features.

This should not cause any particular difficulties. With a little patience, the customization will be done in a couple of minutes. Moreover, the use of some specialized settings compared to those that are installed by default will even reduce the search time in terms of information processing. And this we are not talking about specialized programs and applications designed to use the set additional functions, which are simply absent in Windows 7 itself.

Greetings to all readers, guests of the site and those who are simply looking for answers to computer questions!

Yesterday I spent quite a lot of time looking for one file that I had on my hard drive. I haven't used it for a long time, but I completely forgot where it is. And here the search helped me out. Therefore, I decided in today's article to describe such a topic - how to find a file on windows computer 10. It will be interesting! Go!

Standard search

Thus, you can find the file by word. There is a magnifying glass icon at the bottom of the screen. We click on it.

Let's say we are looking for some kind of Windows function. We write a piece of its name, and the system itself will provide options for the found components.

If you know in which group or folder the utility or file is located, then click here.

The system will display a list of partitions. You can select one or several sections. Then the search will be more accurate, and it will take less time.

And if you know only part of the file name, then you can only keep it. The system will still find the data if it is on the hard drive.

Search through explorer

Thus, you can find a file by a word in the text or by the date of creation. We open any folder and pay attention to this area.

It is in the folder in which you are located that the search will take place. We write the name of the file or folder, and the system will give us the results immediately.

You can apply a filter and search by size.

In principle, you can search by extension in the same way.

Search by date modified or created

Searching by change creation date works in much the same way. We open any folder and in the search bar we drive in the date of change: dd ... mm.yyyy. For example, as in the picture below.

Please note that in this case there will be a lot of files.

Addition

Many resort to downloading a program that helps in finding files. For example, to find a game from the app store. The problem is that the tenth Windows is still very damp, and many software of this kind simply does not work on it. Therefore, I advise you to use only the built-in tools of the system.

Otherwise, you can just clog the registry. Moreover, such software on a new operating system, it cannot find data that has not been used for a long time.

Conclusion

Well, that's all the ways to help you quickly find a file. The tenth Windows has everything for this and you do not need third-party software. By the way, here is a video to help you understand how and what to do.