When you've amassed hundreds of files on your PC, finding one specific file tin can rapidly turn into a nightmare. Fortunately, Windows x has a few methods that you can use to navigate through your files and discover the exact document or tool yous're looking for.

Using Windows Search is the easiest way to become started. You can just press the Windows key to starting time searching, or you can click the built-in search bar on your taskbar.

Alternatively, you can employ Cortana to notice files or search for data on the spider web. Cortana gives you the convenience of request questions via vocalization commands, and too lets you type in specific searches. Just hitting Windows + Q to open Cortana, or click the Cortana icon on your taskbar.

The last way to search through your documents is with File Explorer. With this feature, you tin can browse your entire collection of files to observe specific information. What's more, you can narrow down your search using Advanced Query Syntax and Boolean operators.

This cheat sheet volition go over the shortcuts you lot tin utilize to search in Windows x using each of these methods.

Gratuitous DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You volition have to complete a brusque grade to admission information technology for the showtime time only. Download The Windows 10 Search Crook Sheet.

Windows x Search Shortcuts and Tips

Shortcut Activeness
Basic Windows 10 and Cortana Search
Windows Open Kickoff carte du jour search bar
Windows + S OR

Windows + Q		 Open up Cortana search bar in text mode
Down Arrow Select result below
Upwards Pointer Select effect to a higher place
Right Arrow Select option to the correct
Left Arrow Select option to the left
Enter Open selected item
Esc Close search menu
Narrow Down Local Cortana Search
Apps: Search within Apps
Documents: Search within Documents
Videos: Search within Videos
Folders: Search within Folders
Music: Search inside Music
Settings: Search within Settings
Photos: Search within Photos
Mail: Search inside your Outlook email inbox
People: Search inside People
Cortana Web Search Tools
Spider web: Search the internet
Paris weather Go weather information
Sydney time Get time zone information
Define: "engineering science" Find word definitions
Facebook stock Get stock marketplace information
Donald Trump age Find facts nigh public figures
50usd to eur Catechumen currencies
5in to mm Convert measuring units
74f to c Convert temperatures
86/2*10 Perform math calculations
DAL1439 Track flight status
blood-red sox score Find electric current sports scores
food well-nigh me Discover local restaurants
Cortana Voice Command Search
Windows + C Open up Cortana in voice command mode
Say "Hey Cortana" Open Cortana in vocalisation command way
Find certificate (file proper name) Notice a specific file
Observe photos from Jan 2018 Find photos from a specific time
Open up (app proper noun) Open a specific app
Search the web for Lenovo laptops Search the internet for a specific term
What'south the tallest mountain in the globe? Observe facts on the internet
Observe restaurants near me Search the net for local restaurants
What'due south the time in Paris? Find fourth dimension zone information
Evidence me the latest news Brandish the latest news headlines
What'due south the conditions? Find local weather information
Discover showtimes near me Find local movie showtimes
What'due south 2+two? Perform math calculations
What's 13 pounds in ounces? Perform measurement conversions
Basic File Explorer Search
Windows + E Open File Explorer
Ctrl + F OR

Ctrl+E OR

F3		 Place cursor in the search bar
Ctrl + L OR
Alt + D		 Place cursor in the accost bar
Upwards Arrow Select result above
Downwards Arrow Select consequence below
Right Pointer Select result to the right
Left Arrow Select result to the left
Enter Open selected file
Backspace OR

Alt+ Left Arrow		 Return to previous page
Alt + Right Pointer Go to next page
Alt + Up Pointer Return to the folder that the current file or binder is in
Esc Clear search or accost bar
File Explorer Avant-garde Query Syntax Search
store:desktop Limit your search to the desktop
store:files Limit your search to Files
store:outlook Limit your search to Outlook
shop:oe Limit your search to Outlook Express
*.file_extension Search for a files with a specific extension
kind:everything Search all file types
kind:communications Search communication files
kind:contacts Search contacts
kind:email Search emails
kind:im Search instant messaging conversations
kind:meetings Search meetings
kind:tasks Search tasks
kind:notes Search notes
kind:documents Search documents
kind:text Search text documents
kind:spreadsheets Search spreadsheet files
kind:presentations Search presentation files
kind:music Search music files
kind:pics Search picture files
kind:videos Search video files
kind:folders Search folders
kind:favorites Search favorites
kind:programs Search plan files
date:today, engagement:tomorrow, date:yesterday Search for items with a specific date
modified:terminal week Search for items past modification date
size:>40, size:<40 Search for items past size
File Explorer Search Using Boolean Operators
Keyword ane NOT keyword 2 Results with keyword i but not keyword 2
Keyword 1 OR keyword ii Results with keyword 1 or keyword two
Keyword 1 Results with the exact phrase "keyword 1"
(Keyword 1 keyword 2) Results with keyword 1 and keyword two in any order

Search Smarter in Windows x

With these Windows ten search shortcuts, y'all tin admission various Windows features, observe lost files, and also uncover answers to your questions on the internet. If you're all the same having trouble locating files, check out these free search tools for Windows 10.

Paradigm Credit: Bruce Mars on Unsplash