How to Search in Windows 11 [4 Ways Explained]

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How to Search in Windows 11 [4 Ways Explained].

Windows 11 has been making fairly the thrill because it was introduced a number of months in the past. Insiders and beta testers have numerous positives to say and the brand new UI and options appear to be becoming nicely with everybody. As such, Windows 11 comes with many adjustments to present options within the OS amongst which is the brand new Windows Search. Search is now more complete, sooner, and environment friendly. If you want to use Windows Search then right here is all it is advisable learn about it. Let’s get began.  

Windows 11 comes with tons of underneath the hood enhancements to the Search nonetheless, there aren’t many noticeable adjustments to the outer workings of Windows Search. Still, you possibly can sit up for the next new adjustments with Windows Search. 

  • New Taskbar icon
  • Dedicated file sort search
  • Accessible search settings from the Start menu
  • Support for cloud search along with cloud storage providers
  • Comprehensive indexing choices
  • Faster outcomes
  • Efficient indexing with low battery utilization on cell units

And more. As you go about exploring Windows Search in Windows 11 you can find tiny new particulars in each side of the function. 

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Windows 11 Search keyboard shortcut

You can use Windows + S in your keyboard to deliver up Windows Search immediately in your system. You can proceed typing to start out looking out your system for related apps, information, and folders. Additionally, hitting Enter in your keyboard will open the primary search outcome in your PC. 

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You can use Windows Search using the next strategies under. Each methodology has its personal perks and benefits so relying on the file you’re looking for, you should use one of many strategies under. 

Using the taskbar icon

Windows 11 has a devoted taskbar icon for Windows Search that you should use to your benefit to seek for information, paperwork, folders, and more in your PC. Simply click on on the icon to provoke a search as proven under. 

If nonetheless, you don’t appear to have an icon in your taskbar, then comply with the steps under.

Right-click in your taskbar and choose ‘Taskbar settiings’.

Now click on and allow the toggle for ‘Search’. 

You ought to now have a Search icon in your taskbar and now you can use it to provoke a search in your PC.

Press the Windows key in your keyboard to open the Start menu. You may also click on the icon in your taskbar.
 
Once open, begin typing the title of the file/program that you’re in search of, the file/folder/program ought to routinely present up within the search outcomes. If you don’t see your file on the prime, then strive clicking one of many classes under to develop your search outcomes. 

Once discovered, click on on the search outcome to open it. You may also click on on the arrow to view more particulars about it. And that’s it! You will now have used the Windows Search from the Start menu. 
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Using keyboard shortcut

Press Windows + S in your keyboard to open Search. Now change to the specified file sort if wanted. 

Type in your search time period. Click on the textual content field if wanted. 

Windows will now seek for your file/folder and outcomes will likely be displayed in your display. You can click on and develop the classes under to view more outcomes.

 

Additionally, when you want to view more particulars a couple of file or a program, you possibly can click on on the arrow beside it. You will now have used Windows Search using the keyboard shortcut. 

Using File explorer

Press Windows + E in your keyboard to open the File Explorer. Navigate to the drive/listing/folder you want to search. Once open, click on on the search field within the prime proper nook of your display. 

Type in your search time period now and press Enter in your keyboard. 

Windows will now search the present listing on your search time period after which show all the outcomes in your display. You can now click on and launch the file.

You may also right-click on it and choose ‘Open file location’ to go to its present listing in your native storage.

 

Additionally, you should use the drop-down arrows on the prime to type your search outcomes to seek out your file/folder/program more simply. 

And that’s it! You will now have used Windows Search through File Explorer. 

Windows Search by default will solely seek for information and search phrases in choose directories and paths. These default paths cowl most typical directories on Windows just like the Start menu, paperwork, music, footage, and more. If you want to enhance the extent of indexing on Windows 11 then you should use the information under to get began. 

Press Windows + i in your keyboard to open the Settings app. Now click on on ‘Privacy & security’ in your left.

 

Click on ‘Searching Windows’ in your proper. 

Click and develop ‘Find my files’. 

Select ‘Enhanced’.

Now when you want to exclude any folders from indexing then click on on ‘Add an excluded folder’. 

Note: Windows may have added some folders by default. We advocate persevering with to exclude these folders to keep away from pointless useful resource utilization to index system information.

Once you might have excluded all of the folders, we will now begin indexing all of your drives. Click on ‘Advanced indexing options’ on the backside.

 

Click on ‘Modify’. 

Check the containers on your drives now.

Click on ‘Ok’ as soon as accomplished. 

Click on ‘Close’. And that’s it! You will now have elevated your indexing places inside Windows Search. If using a laptop computer, your new places will likely be listed as soon as your unit is linked to energy. 

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Use Search Options

Search instruments have existed for a while in File explorer now they usually will let you handle your search outcomes with far more effectivity. This will help you discover information that you don’t bear in mind the title of and solely bear in mind a number of particulars about it. Search Tools have now been renamed as ‘Search Options’ in Windows 11 and also you now get a drop-down menu on your choices as a substitute. Start by exploring your choices and looking for a time period in File Explorer as you usually would. Once your search outcomes present up, it is best to discover ‘Search Options’ on the prime of your display. Now use the next choices to filter your search outcomes accordingly. 

  • All folders: Search all folders within the present drive/partition on your search time period. 
  • Current folder: Search solely the present folder on your search time period. 

You may also dictate how your search outcomes are sorted. This will help you discover massive information or information based mostly on file sorts. Use one of many choices under 

  • Date modified: Use this feature to type your outcomes based mostly on the time they had been created in your native storage. 

  • Kind: You can use this feature to type your information by their sort. You can search for calendar information, folders, video games, footage, music, and more. You can choose from over 23 completely different file sorts to type your search outcomes. 

  • Size: Use this feature to filter your information based mostly on their dimension. You will get the next choices to select from.

  • Empty: 0kb
  • Tiny: 0kb to 16kb
  • Small: 16kb to 1MB
  • Medium: 1MB to 128MB
  • Large: 128MB to 1GB
  • Huge: 1GB to 4GB
  • Gigantic: Files better than 4GB in dimension

Additionally, you get the next more choices to filter your search outcomes. These choices will dictate the place and which information will likely be searched by Windows. Simply click on on the choice to activate or deactivate it.

  • System information
  • Zipped (compressed) folders
  • File contents

And that’s how you should use Search Options in Windows 11 to your benefit. We have a number of more ideas that can assist you take advantage of Windows Search in Windows 11. You can use the part under to get began. 

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Tips to make use of Windows Search to your benefit

Windows Search has a number of sure hidden shortcuts and key phrases that may immediately allow you to filter or type your search outcomes relying in your preferences. Here are a number of ideas that can assist you get essentially the most out of Windows Search on Windows 11. 

Find massive information

You can discover massive information on a drive or in a folder simply through the use of the command ‘size:’. You can then use one of many phrases out of your Search Options to filter your information and show them based mostly on their dimension. For instance, when you want to seek for information bigger than 4GB in dimension within the present listing then you should use the next command. 

dimension:gigantic

Similarly, you possibly can additional filter your search outcomes using Search Options to establish massive films, footage, calendar information, video games, or more taking over house in your PC. 

Find file sorts

Similar to the command above, you should use the ‘kind:’ parameter to seek out sure information within the present listing. The ‘kind’ parameter will will let you search for calendar information, textual content paperwork, footage, movies video games, and more. When using the sort parameter this manner you aren’t restricted to Windows’s predefined classes, as a substitute you possibly can outline particular file extensions as nicely to seek out them in your PC as proven under. 

sort:.exe

The command above will allow you to search for executables within the present listing.

Similarly using the command under will allow you to discover PDF information within the chosen listing. 

sort:.pdf

And that’s it! You can use these instructions to seek out sure information in your PC using Windows Search. 

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Find information by date

You may also use the ‘date:’ parameter to search for information created on a sure date. Additionally, this command can be utilized along with Boolean filters under to seek out information created or modified earlier than or after a sure date in your PC. For instance, if in search of a file created on the first of January 2020, then you should use the next command under. 

date: 1/1/2020

Similarly if in search of a file created on the first January 2021, then you should use the next command. 

date: 1/1/2021 

Use Boolean Filters

Boolean filters will help you search a number of phrases concurrently or along with one another when using Windows Search. Here are the next Boolean filters that you should use to your benefit. 

The ‘AND’ parameter

You can use the AND parameter to seek for two search phrases collectively. This method you possibly can search for a file containing each the phrases and never both of them which ought to allow you to filter out undesirable outcomes containing both of the phrases. For instance, if in search of a file containing the phrases ‘Samsung and ‘galaxy’ in its title then I can use the next time period to seek for your file.

Samsung AND galaxy

This will filter out information with solely ‘Samsung’ and ‘Galaxy’ of their title. Files with both time period will likely be filtered out.

The ‘OR’ parameter

The OR parameter is reverse to the AND parameter and lets you seek for information containing both of the phrases in your search time period. For instance, if I want to seek for information with both ‘Apple’ or ‘Airpods’ of their title, then I can use the next search time period. 

apple OR airpods

Similarly, if I’m in search of PDF and EXE information in a selected listing, then I can use the next command under. 

sort:.exe OR .pdf

And that’s how you should use the OR parameter to search for a number of search phrases in a single file title. 

The ‘NOT’ parameter

If you want to filter out a sure search time period or a filet sort then you should use the NOT parameter. The NOT parameter will exclude the specified file sort, sort, dimension, or title relying in your alternative. For instance, if in a folder stuffed with .docx information you’re in search of different file sorts and want to filter all of them out, then you should use the next command. 

sort: NOT .docx

Similarly, if I’m in search of a file that doesn’t have ‘Apple” in its title then I can use the next search time period. 

NOT apple

Double Quotes

If you bear in mind a precise time period for the file that you’re looking for then you should use double-quotes. This will power Windows Search to search for the precise search time period with the particular formatting and case to seek out the file that you’re in search of. For instance, if in search of a file with ‘Apple 2019′ in its title then you should use the next command under. 

“Apple 2019”

Parentheses

Parentheses is a Boolean filter that’s often used if you find yourself looking out file contents as nicely. Anything included between the parentheses () is looked for and information with both or the entire phrases are displayed in your display. For instance, if in search of a file containing both ‘Apple, Samsung, Mi, Microsoft, and Dell’ or all of those phrases, then you should use the next time period. 

(Apple Samsung Mi Microsoft Dell)

Similarly, you should use the next command if in search of a number of file sorts. 

sort:(.exe .pdf .txt)

And that’s it! You will now have used parentheses to your benefit to search for a number of search phrases in a selected file. 

‘>’ and ‘<‘ parameter

These two Boolean filters are often used when in search of file sorts or when sorting your outcomes based mostly on a parameter. The better than and fewer than parameters can be utilized to filter your outcomes based mostly on a quantity. For instance, if in search of information dated after 1st January 2021 then you should use the next command. 

date: >1/1/2021

Similarly, if in search of information lower than 10GB then you should use the next command.

dimension: < 10GB

You can use the better than and fewer than parameters to your benefit this manner and discover the specified information in your system. 

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Are there any Windows search alternate options?

Yes, there are a number of Windows search alternate options on the market developed by third events that supply aggressive indexing choices and promise increased working effectivity in the case of using your system’s assets. Windows Search, nonetheless, would nonetheless be our beneficial instrument for you because it has been put in natively in your system. Using a third-party instrument will add extra workload to your PC until Windows Search has been utterly disabled. Hence, we advocate that you simply strive PowerToys by Microsoft first to get a local utility in your PC that makes use of and enhances Windows Search as a substitute. If that doesn’t work out for you, you possibly can then go for any one of many third-party utilities listed under. 

PowerToys

PowerToys is a group of enhanced instruments by Microsoft that give you utilities like PowerToys Run (Windows Search), Color Picker, Power Renamer, and more to assist enhance your productiveness and improve your workflow. PowerToys Run is a spotlight-like search function in PowerToys that makes use of Windows Search to index and show information in your PC. PowerToys Run offers you a more elegant method of using Search in your PC. Use the information under to get you began. 

Download and set up PowerToys in your PC using the hyperlink above. Once put in, launch PowerToys from the taskbar as proven under. 

Once PowerToys is launched, we advocate you click on on every function in your left and disable those that you simply don’t want to use. PowerToys have complete instruments that may trigger your system to behave unexpectedly when you have no idea about them. Hence, disable all of the options that you don’t want or want to use in your PC. 

Click on ‘PowerToys Run’ in your left. 

Enable the toggle on the prime. 

Set a customized shortcut if wanted. By default, you should use Alt + Space to activate PowerToys Run. 

Increase the variety of search outcomes you want to view if wanted. 

Set a place for the search field when you’ve got a multi-monitor setup. 

Choose a customized theme if wanted. 

Additionally, PoweToys Run is very succesful and will help you entry apps from inside the search field itself. For instance, you possibly can enter equations within the search field, and you’ll routinely get a outcome from the calculator app as a search outcome as proven under. 

Similarly, you can too execute instructions from the search field itself. Ping is an efficient instance that reveals up within the search outcomes as proven under.

 

However, in case you are not going to be using these options then there is no such thing as a level in having them enabled in your PC. Simply disabled the plugins within the PowerToys window as proven under.

 

And that’s it! You will now have configured PowerToys Run in your system as a Windows Search different. 

Third-party apps

If PowerToys is lower than mark for you and you’re in search of one thing a bit more complete then you possibly can take a look at the next Windows Search alternate options under. 

We hope you had been capable of get acquainted with Windows Search in Windows 11 using the information above. If you face any errors or have any questions for us, be happy to achieve out using the feedback part under.

Can you disable Windows search in Windows 11?

No and sure. Windows doesn’t supply a local strategy to disable Windows Search. However, this might be detrimental to older programs the place Search might find yourself taking important assets within the background that may in flip gradual your system down. In such instances, and more, you should use a number of workarounds to disable Windows Search within the background on Windows 11. You can use the information under to disable Windows Search on Windows 11. 

If you want to disable Windows Search then disabling the service is the best method. Follow the information under to get you began. 

Press Windows + R in your keyboard and sort within the following. Press Enter in your keyboard as soon as you’re accomplished. 

providers.msc

Search for a service named ‘Windows Search’ and right-click on it. 

Select ‘Properties’. 

Click on ‘Stop’. 

Click on the drop-down menu and choose ‘Disabled’. 

Click on ‘Ok’. 

Restart your system and Windows Search ought to now be disabled in your system.  

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