Jerry writes:
I am presently using Window 7. In Windows XP it was possible to search for files directly from Windows Explorer. (That little doggie was a terrific sleuth.) It was possible to search by title, by date or keyword. I have saved files to what I believed was a specific folder, but when I attempt to open them, I cannot find them. How can I find where my files went in Windows 7?
The quickest way to find something in Windows 7 is to click the start button and type the name of what you are looking for in the extremely handy Windows 7 search box. As you can see, a search for Android returns results in Documents, Pictures and Files.
You can also find files by using File Explorer. Click the file icon on your taskbar:
The File Explorer windows will open.
On the left side of the Windows you’ll see your libraries. There you can choose to search places like documents, photos or desktop for files.
To search, just type the keyword you are looking for in the search box at the top and click the magnifying glass.
You can also select a library, such as documents, and click in the search box to see options for search filters. Here I will select date.
I can then select the date to narrow the search.
As you can see, all of the search functions from XP are still available in Windows 7.
~ Cynthia
I have lost my File Explorer Windows Icon on my bottom search bar. How can I bring it back?
Thank you, Sincerely, Ed Arnold
When I do as you instructed, everything shows as your instructions say, except there is no “search bar” as shown in your 4th image above.
Can you grab a screen shot of what your File Explorer looks like?
Another simple solution is to change the Display to Classic. Then when you search from the Start button, at the bottom of the search options, you have the option to select Search Companion and the helpful little dog will pop up with the search screen you’re familiar with from Windows XP.
I never see the “the start button” to be clicked??
Like so many others who have asked, I know that the Search box in Explorer for WinXP immediately displayed multiple criteria (size, date, name, etc). After a year on Win7, I am still unable to replicate that.
How can I activate the style from WinXP, in Win7.1 Explorer?
In Windows 7, the start button is the round button with the Windows symbol in the middle to the far left of your computer.
Aha! I was assuming that button was WITHIN the program, not BEFORE it.
I’ll go explore more, but I still do not see the bundle of options.