Good old Windows XP search interface
Search for files and folders in MS Windows search using Windows Explorer (File Explorer in Windows 8 and later) was very simple and yet powerful in Windwos XP. Then you could use text boxs and datepickers to seach for files in intiutive way.
From Windows Vista user search interface became very limited and now you have to know Search Syntax (official name: Advanced Query Syntax) in order to use advanced search options.
In order to start Windows Search you have to start Windows explorer and then press F while holding Ctrl button. Alternately, you can also click search box in upper right corner of Windows explorer.
Windows 7 Search Interface
Search by name
Find all files…
| Description | Syntax | Example |
| … containing a keyword | *value* | *chicago* |
| … starting with a keyword | value* | chicago* |
| … ending with a keyword | *value | *chicago |
| … omit files with without a keyword in a file name | -value | -chicago |
| … with exact phrase in a file name | “value “ | “chicago photos” |
Search by file size
Find all files…
| Description | Syntax | Example |
| … bigger than | size:>value | size:>1gb |
| … smaller than | size:<value | size:>1mb |
| … with size equal to | size: value | size: 1 kb |
| … with sizes between these values | size: >=value <=value | size: >=1kb <=109mb |
Search by file type
Search by file type can be done in numerous ways.
Find all files…
| Description | Syntax | Example |
| … with extension ending in | *.value | *.txt |
| … with file kind | kind: picture | kind: picture |
| … with file kind and file name | kind: picture value | kind: picture chicago |
| … with file kind | kind: image | kind: image |
| … with file kind and file name | kind: image value | kind: image chicago |
| … with file extension | ext:.value | ext:.doc |
Following terms can be used with kind operator: everything, communications, contacts, email, im, meetings, tasks, notes, docs, text, spreadsheets, presentations, music, pics, videos, folders, favorites, programs
Search by date
For all files …
| Description | Syntax | Example |
| … modified on | datemodified:DD.MM.YYYY | datemodified:2.12.2016 |
| … created on | datecreated:DD.MM.YYYY | datecreated:2.12.2016 |
| … accessed on | dateaccessed:DD.MM.YYYY | dateaccessed:2.12.2016 |
| … modified between | datemodified:<DD.MM.YYYY >DD.MM.YYYY | datemodified:<2.2.2016 >01.01.2015 |
For search by date you can also use:
| Relative to: | Syntax Example | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Day | date:today
date:tomorrow date:yesterday |
Finds items with today’s date.
Finds items with tomorrow’s date. Finds items with yesterday’s date. |
| Week/Month/year | date:this week
date:last week date:next month date:past month date:coming year |
Finds items with a date falling within the current week.
Finds items with a date falling within the previous week. Finds items with a date falling within the upcoming week. Finds items with a date falling within the previous month. Finds items with a date falling within the upcoming year. |
Combinations
Find all files…
| Description | Syntax | Example |
| … with exact phrase in a file name + with file kind + with sizes smaller than |
“value” kind: image size:<100kb | chicago photos kind: image size:<100kb |
| … containing keyword in a file name + with file extension +
with sizes between these values |
*value* ext:.value size: >=value <=value mb |
*chicago* ext:.jpg size: >10 kb <209 kb |
| … within multiple file extensions + with sizes between these values | *value* ext:.value OR ext:.value
size: >=value <=value mb |
ext:.jpg OR ext:.png size: >10 kb <209 kb |
| … within multiple file extensions + with sizes between these values + modified between these dates |
*value* ext:.value OR ext:.value size: >=value <=value mb datemodified:<DD.MM.YYYY >DD.MM.YYYY |
ext:.jpg OR ext:.png size: >10 kb <209 kb datemodified:<2.11.2016 >01.01.2015 |
Search for folders only
| Description | Syntax | Example |
| … with file extension | type:=”File Folder” name:value | type:=”File Folder” name:search |
Boolean Operators
Search keywords and file properties can be combined to broaden or narrow a search with operators. The following table explains common operators used in a search query.
| Keyword/Symbol | Examples | Function |
|---|---|---|
| NOT | social NOT security | Finds items that contain social, but not security. |
| – | social –security | Finds items that contain social, but not security. |
| OR | social OR security | Finds items that contain social or security. |
| Quotation marks | “social security” | Finds items that contain the exact phrase social security. |
| Parentheses | (social security) | Finds items that contain social and security in any order. |
| > | date:>11/05/04 size:>500 | Finds items with a date after 11/05/04. Finds items with a size greater than 500 bytes. |
| < | date:<11/05/04 size:<500 | Finds items with a date before 11/05/04. Finds items with a size less than 500 bytes. |
| .. | date:11/05/04..11/10/04 | Finds items with a date beginning on 11/05/04 and ending on 11/10/04. |
It’s important to note that Windows Search does not differentiate between letter case.
NOT/- : Both “not” as well as prefixing a dash will tell your search to exclude items that include the following term.
AND/+ : Both “and” as well as prefixing a plus sign will force your search to only include items that match for both terms.
For more information you can also take a look at MSDN Library article about Advanced Query Syntax.
