General Search in Windows 11 File Explorer


Search_Options_banner.png

This tutorial will show you how to use advanced search options and filters while searching for files in Windows 11 File Explorer.

The Search Box in File Explorer allows you to find and view all your files and folders in one place.

As you type in the Search Box, Windows Search will automatically start a simple search through the index by default to match your typed text with folder names, files names, the contents of files, and file properties. It will then display the search results in File Explorer.

You can then use advanced search options and filters to narrow your search results how you want.

Improved Windows Search experiences, powered by AI models that take advantage of the on-board neural processing unit (NPU) on Copilot+ PCs are coming soon to File Explorer, Windows Search, and Settings. With improved Windows Search, people will be able to find the right files using associated words and phrases, without needing to remember exact file names or content. This is currently applicable for local files and active OneDrive files. And, thanks to the power of the 40+ TOPS NPU onboard Copilot+ PCs, it works even if you’re not connected to the internet.

You can search for documents and photos by describing their contents. For example, a document about cars, buses, and airplanes can be found by searching for “modes of transport.” For images, you can search by image content, including any text found in an image. Removing the need for keyword matching in file names or content makes it more intuitive and efficient for everyone to find the files, information, or settings that they need.

Improved Windows Search will be available through the Windows Insider Program in early 2025. There will be no new IT controls; instead, existing controls that govern Windows Search will continue to be honored. These controls include policies that manage which folders and file extensions are searchable or indexable.


Reference:




Here's How:

1 Open File Explorer (Win+E).

2 Navigate to and either select or open the drive or folder location you want to search in. (see screenshot below)

Search_in_File_Explorer-1.png

3 Type what you want to search for in the Search Box at the top right corner of File Explorer. (see screenshot below)

For some advanced search query syntax usage, see:



Search_in_File_Explorer-2.png

4 If wanted, you can change the Sort and Group by views you want for the search results. (see screenshot below)

Search_in_File_Explorer-3.png

5 If wanted, you can change the layout View you want for the search results. (see screenshot below)

Search_in_File_Explorer-4.png

6 You can now select to change and use any of the Search options below:

Search options will only appear on the command bar in File Explorer after you type something into the Search Box.



 Select to search all subfolders or only current folder in search results

A) Click/tap on Search options on the command bar. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on All subfolders (default) or Current folder to select (dot) which you want searched in.​

Search_in_File_Explorer-5.png


 Select to include "System files", "Zipped (compressed) folders", and/or "File contents" in search results

A) Click/tap on Search options on the command bar. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on System files (default), Zipped (compressed) folders, and/or File contents to check (include) or uncheck (not include) what you want included in search results.​

Search_in_File_Explorer-6.png


 Select to only include file "Date modified" range in search results

A) Click/tap on Search options on the command bar. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on Date modified, and click/tap on an available date range to select (dot) which file date modified range you only want included in search results.​

You can also manually clear or modify any added "datemodified" filters in the Search Box if needed.

Search_in_File_Explorer-8.png


Search_in_File_Explorer-7.png


 Select to only include file "Kind" in search results

A) Click/tap on Search options on the command bar. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on Kind, and click/tap on an available kind of file to select (dot) which which one you only want included in search results.​

You can also manually clear or modify any added "kind" filters in the Search Box if needed.

Search_in_File_Explorer-10.png


Search_in_File_Explorer-9.png


 Select to only include file "size" range in search results

A) Click/tap on Search options on the command bar. (see screenshot below)​

B) Click/tap on Size, and click/tap on an available file size range to select (dot) which size you only want included in search results.​

You can also manually clear or modify any added "size" filters in the Search Box if needed.

Search_in_File_Explorer-12.png


Search_in_File_Explorer-11.png


That's it,
Shawn Brink


 
Last edited:
Hey.
File explorer is super slow. "Everything" for ..... ever !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
    CPU
    Intel 113700H
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
    Hard Drives
    Micron 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    100Mbs
    Browser
    Vivaldi , Edge
    Antivirus
    Norton Plus
How do I search for "starting with" ? XYZZY* does not seem to work !

AND

DO NOT search file contents !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    AMD 8700G
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650I Lightning
    Memory
    2 - DDR5-6000 8GB Kinston KF560C35-8
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG SyncMaster 220WM
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 Pro 1TB
    PSU
    PicoPSU-160-XT
    Case
    MITXPC MX500-USB3 Compact Mini-ITX Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, Chromax.Black, Low-Profile
    Browser
    Chrome

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
    CPU
    Intel 113700H
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
    Hard Drives
    Micron 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    100Mbs
    Browser
    Vivaldi , Edge
    Antivirus
    Norton Plus
Just use wild cards eg. System*.* or System*.sys or System.*
Does not work ! Note, I had no period in the search string and do NOT want one in the resultant list of filenames !
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    AMD 8700G
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650I Lightning
    Memory
    2 - DDR5-6000 8GB Kinston KF560C35-8
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG SyncMaster 220WM
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 Pro 1TB
    PSU
    PicoPSU-160-XT
    Case
    MITXPC MX500-USB3 Compact Mini-ITX Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, Chromax.Black, Low-Profile
    Browser
    Chrome
Does not work ! Note, I had no period in the search string and do NOT want one in the resultant list of filenames !
How you do the search ? With File Explorer or with Everything ?
What string you want to search for ? Ex. contains power in the name ? Is exactly power in the name ? Other ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
    CPU
    Intel 113700H
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
    Hard Drives
    Micron 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    100Mbs
    Browser
    Vivaldi , Edge
    Antivirus
    Norton Plus
Starting here ...

Screenshot 2024-03-23 172723.png

This is the kind of results I get, with or without the asterisk ...

Screenshot 2024-03-23 172750.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    AMD 8700G
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650I Lightning
    Memory
    2 - DDR5-6000 8GB Kinston KF560C35-8
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG SyncMaster 220WM
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 Pro 1TB
    PSU
    PicoPSU-160-XT
    Case
    MITXPC MX500-USB3 Compact Mini-ITX Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, Chromax.Black, Low-Profile
    Browser
    Chrome
Starting here ...

View attachment 91262
This is the kind of results I get, with or without the asterisk ...

View attachment 91263

1) File explorer generally isnt the better option for searching.
Even if the user has create a search index with all the disk.
2) Try Everything for faster results.
3) The search string at file explorer must contain a period. Eg : host*.* or host.* or host*.sys or *service*.*.
You can see the use of wild cards and here.
4) Anyway i recommend you to create the search indexer of windows with all your drive (C:\).
Secondary you can set at witch file types , what search you want (with contents or not).
1711229987952.png


Tell want you want to search to tell you the syntax of search string.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
    CPU
    Intel 113700H
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
    Hard Drives
    Micron 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    100Mbs
    Browser
    Vivaldi , Edge
    Antivirus
    Norton Plus
@theoldwizard1 If you are searching for your hosts file,, your have to set explorer options to show hidden files and folders before you will find it in c:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26100.3194
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme+256gb SKHynix m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+1tb Kingston m2.nvme+ 4gb Solidigm nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 22H2 19045.3930
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 9020
    CPU
    i7-4770
    Memory
    24 gb
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    256 gb Toshiba BG4 M.2 NVE SSB and 1 tb hdd
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell factory
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Internet Speed
    still not telling
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
    CPU
    Intel 113700H
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
    Hard Drives
    Micron 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    100Mbs
    Browser
    Vivaldi , Edge
    Antivirus
    Norton Plus
3) The search string at file explorer must contain a period. Eg : host*.* or host.* or host*.sys or *service*.*.
Great ! The file "hosts" has no period !!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    AMD 8700G
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650I Lightning
    Memory
    2 - DDR5-6000 8GB Kinston KF560C35-8
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG SyncMaster 220WM
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 Pro 1TB
    PSU
    PicoPSU-160-XT
    Case
    MITXPC MX500-USB3 Compact Mini-ITX Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, Chromax.Black, Low-Profile
    Browser
    Chrome
So no one knows what syntax to use to tell File Explorer you only want FILES/FOLDERS "starting with
..." ??
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    AMD 8700G
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650I Lightning
    Memory
    2 - DDR5-6000 8GB Kinston KF560C35-8
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG SyncMaster 220WM
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 Pro 1TB
    PSU
    PicoPSU-160-XT
    Case
    MITXPC MX500-USB3 Compact Mini-ITX Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, Chromax.Black, Low-Profile
    Browser
    Chrome
Type System.FileName:~<"host"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
    CPU
    Intel 113700H
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
    Hard Drives
    Micron 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    100Mbs
    Browser
    Vivaldi , Edge
    Antivirus
    Norton Plus

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    AMD 8700G
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650I Lightning
    Memory
    2 - DDR5-6000 8GB Kinston KF560C35-8
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG SyncMaster 220WM
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 Pro 1TB
    PSU
    PicoPSU-160-XT
    Case
    MITXPC MX500-USB3 Compact Mini-ITX Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, Chromax.Black, Low-Profile
    Browser
    Chrome
So no one knows what syntax to use to tell File Explorer you only want FILES/FOLDERS "starting with
..." ??
Also try this file:~"host?" and this
file:~"hos*"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
    CPU
    Intel 113700H
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
    Hard Drives
    Micron 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    100Mbs
    Browser
    Vivaldi , Edge
    Antivirus
    Norton Plus

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
    CPU
    Intel 113700H
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
    Hard Drives
    Micron 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    100Mbs
    Browser
    Vivaldi , Edge
    Antivirus
    Norton Plus
Also try this file:~"host?" and this
file:~"hos*"
Learned a couple of things today (not bad for a Septuagenarian !)

First, this is "Windows Advanced Query Syntax (AQS)" !
Second, those to queries also worked !

Now, where do I find a "cheat sheet" (preferably in PDF) that shows all of this ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    AMD 8700G
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650I Lightning
    Memory
    2 - DDR5-6000 8GB Kinston KF560C35-8
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG SyncMaster 220WM
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 Pro 1TB
    PSU
    PicoPSU-160-XT
    Case
    MITXPC MX500-USB3 Compact Mini-ITX Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, Chromax.Black, Low-Profile
    Browser
    Chrome
Also try this file:~"host?" and this
file:~"hos*"
None of the documentation I have found defines the use of "~" (tilde).

Does it mean "staring with" ?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self built
    CPU
    AMD 8700G
    Motherboard
    ASRock B650I Lightning
    Memory
    2 - DDR5-6000 8GB Kinston KF560C35-8
    Graphics Card(s)
    none
    Sound Card
    none
    Monitor(s) Displays
    SAMSUNG SyncMaster 220WM
    Screen Resolution
    1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 Pro 1TB
    PSU
    PicoPSU-160-XT
    Case
    MITXPC MX500-USB3 Compact Mini-ITX Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, Chromax.Black, Low-Profile
    Browser
    Chrome
None of the documentation I have found defines the use of "~" (tilde).

Does it mean "staring with" ?
Quotation marks allow characters such as -. ~, [, ], (, ) to be interpreted as literals, whereas the initial ':~ ' tells Search to allow wildcards within the quoted string

You can refer to the examples in the following documentation. Personally, it all does my head in and my head only has the capacity to explode 3 times per day:

Advanced Query Syntax

There are a few superusers debating wildcards (tilde ~ etc) in this thread. Note it is for Windows 7 but I believe the wildcard useage is still the same or effective?
However Bug locker obviously knows what the go is.

 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build 22631.5039
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz (4th Gen?)
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    4 x LG 23MP75 - 2 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / MX Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    100/40Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 23H2 Build: 22631.4249
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Pavilion 17 cd2205nw
    CPU
    Intel 113700H
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA RTX 3050 ti
    Screen Resolution
    1980x1020
    Hard Drives
    Micron 512GB
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    100Mbs
    Browser
    Vivaldi , Edge
    Antivirus
    Norton Plus

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