Wrap-Up

You have many ways to find things in Windows 8. The primary method includes typing a word in the Search box on the Search page to find items that contain that word, or searching in File Explorer using a wide range of criteria.

Each box is similar to a mini search engine for finding documents and messages based on content, properties, tags, or name. By default, only items in your user account are searched. If you want to include more items in those searches, see Chapter 30.

Here’s a quick review of the main points covered in this chapter:

• Windows 8 has a built-in index of programs, files, folders, and messages in your user account. When you search the index, you get keystroke-by-keystroke results.
• To search from the Windows 8 interface or the Windows desktop, choose Search from the Charms Bar. Then start typing your search text.
• To search for a file when you know its general location, open the folder or a parent folder of the item. Then use the Search box in Explorer’s upper-right corner to search.
• You can specify multiple criteria in both the Search box and in File Explorer by entering search keywords such as date modified, subject, size, and others, followed by a colon and the search parameter. You can combine multiple criteria in a single search.
• To save a search for future use, click Save Search on the Search tab of File Explorer.
• To reuse saved searches, click Search from the Charms Bar, type searches in the Search box, and click the Searches folder. Or click Searches under Favorites (if available) in the Navigation pane of any folder.

If you frequently use files that are outside of your user account folders, see Chapter 30 for info on adding those folders to your search index.