- Learn how to use advanced search operators and specific filters in File Explorer.
- Discover integrated tools and keyboard shortcuts that speed up file location.
- Explore alternatives and third-party programs for even faster and more accurate searches.
Is your computer full of folders, documents, and images, and you can't find what you need? Know how to search for files in Windows 11 applying filters and operators It will save you hours of work and headaches. Many users still resort to manually combing their folders when there is a battery of tools and Tricks native people, along with powerful filters and search operators, which allow you to locate any file in a matter of seconds. Mastering these functions is not only useful, but Absolutely necessary When managing large volumes of data, to avoid the frustration of wasting time searching for, or worse, giving up on, a file that is right in front of our eyes.
In this article we are going to teach you All the ways to search for files by applying advanced filters, operators, shortcuts and extra programs. You will find clear explanations, detailed examples and tips to become a true expert in File Explorer Windows 11. All of this, with a language pleasant and practical, so that, regardless of your previous experience, you can put each trick into practice from the very first moment.
What tools does Windows 11 offer for searching for files?
Windows 11 has several built-in search tools that can complement or replace manual search depending on our needs. From the classic search bar on the taskbar From third-party programs to filters and operators within File Explorer, the system has evolved to make life easier for its users and allow for fast and accurate searches.
The main native search options integrated in Windows 11 are:
- Search bar on the taskbar: Allows you to quickly locate files, folders, programs, and settings, as well as perform web queries. You can type your search directly or use operators to filter results.
- File Browser: : its own search bar supports a multitude of advanced filters and operators, enabling much more precise searches within specific routes or the entire team.
- Keyboard shortcuts and customizable settings: You can quickly open search using combinations like Windows + S, Windows + E (opens the explorer) or simply by pressing the Windows key and typing.
In addition, there are additional options such as direct search from the start menu, quick access to frequently used folders, and even integration with OneDrive to find files stored in the cloud. But the real revolution comes when we learn to combine the Boolean operators and advanced filters of the Explorer, which we will look at in depth later.
Search for files in Windows 11 from the taskbar and start menu
La Windows 11 tareas bar includes a powerful search system that goes far beyond files: you can find programs, settings, web results, or even perform currency conversions and simple math operations right from here. This bar can be presented as a magnifying glass icon, a search box, or a button with text, and its appearance is customizable from Settings > Personalization > Taskbar.
- You can search for files simply by typing their name, extension, or keywords. Windows displays the best match first, followed by other related files, applications, and web results.
- To filter by file type, select the appropriate category (documents, photos, etc.) at the top of the results.
- If you are looking for something very specific, you can write operators in your query to filter, although the start menu search is easier than the explorer search.
- Search adapts to your usage patterns: files you open most often will appear first in the results.
Integration with OneDrive allows files stored in the cloud, but synchronized, to also be included in the results.
Useful keyboard shortcuts:
- Windows + S: Open the search bar directly to type your query.
- Windows key: Opens the Start menu and allows you to start typing what you are looking for immediately.
- Windows + E: Opens File Explorer, ideal for advanced searches with filters.
This form is especially recommended for quick queries or when you do not need to apply advanced filters.
How to search for files using File Explorer and advanced filters
El Windows 11 File Explorer It houses many more filtering options than the taskbar. This is where you can really fine-tune your searches and become a power user, as You can combine Boolean operators, general filters, and specific filters based on file type or metadata.. Simply select the location (for example, “This PC,” “Documents,” or a specific folder) and type it in the top right search bar.
Boolean operators for combined searches
On boolean operators They allow you to search for files that meet multiple conditions, exclude certain terms, or combine criteria. Some practical examples:
- AND: By default, this will search for files that contain all of the words you type. For example, “annual report” or “annual AND report.”
- OR: to search for files containing one or another term. Example: invoice OR receipt.
- NOT or –: to exclude files that contain a specific term. Example: document NOT draft o draft document.
- Quotation marks (" "): forces you to search for that exact phrase, respecting the order. Example: “annual report”.
- Parentheses ( ): search for grouped terms, but in any order. Example: (project budget) will display files with both terms, regardless of order.
These commands can be combined with each other and with other filters, for ultra-precise searches.
General filters: date, size, type and location
On general filters are written as “filter_name:value” and allow you to further narrow down your results. The most commonly used are:
- date: Filter by creation or modification date. You can specify "today," "yesterday," "this week," "last month," date ranges ("date: 01/01/2024 . . 15/04/2024"), or a specific date.
- modified: Filter only by modification date (ignores creation date).
- created: Only the file creation date counts.
- size: You can use terms like “empty,” “small,” “medium,” “large,” “huge,” “gigantic,” or compare sizes (“size:>10MB”).
- class: Specify the file type: document, image, music, video, email, program, etc. Example: class:image.
- archive: Search only the file name, ignoring the content.
- out: Allows you to search for files with a specific extension. Example: ext:.pdf (o ext:pdf).
- binder: Restricts the search to a specific folder. Example: folder:Budget Documents.
- folderpath: Search within a specific route. Example: folderpath: C:\Projects\Assets.
- name: Search for files with an exact name. Example: name:invoice_april.
These filters are extremely powerful and, when combined well, can refine our searches to the extreme.
Specific filters based on file type or metadata
If you are looking for specific files such as images, videos or music, Windows allows you to filter by metadata specific to each type:
- For images:
- width: Search for images by their width in pixels. Example: width:1920.
- high: Same for height. Example: height:1080.
- orientation: “horizontal” or “vertical”.
- For music:
- artist: Example: artist: Queen.
- album: Example: album: Greatest Hits.
- clue: By track number. track:2.
- gender: genre: Rock.
- For music and video:
- duration: You can choose “short”, “medium”, “long” or specify the exact duration (“duration:>5 minutes”).
- year: Filter by year. Example: year: 2022.
- For office documents:
- commentary: Allows you to search for comments in Become (“comment:to review”).
- slides: For PowerPoint presentations by number of slides (“slides:10”).
These filters often rely on files containing that metadata, but when used correctly, they are very helpful for precision searches.
How to apply and combine filters: practical examples
La true magic is combine filters and operators in a single searchHere are some clear examples for you to adopt in your daily life:
- Find all the PDF modified this month except those that include “draft”: ext:pdf modified:this month NOT draft
- Find horizontal images of at least 1920×1080: class:image width:>1919 height:>1079 orientation:horizontal
- Look for Queen music in the Rock genre this year: class:music artist:Queen genre:Rock modified:this year
- “Budget” files in the Documents folder, created yesterday: folder:Documents name:budget created:yesterday
You can use as many filters and operators as you need, separated by spaces, to refine your results. The search is snapshot unless the folder or location is very large.
Advanced options in the Explorer interface
When you perform a search in File Explorer, a tab called Search Options (at the top), which offers several additional tools:
- All subfolders: Expands the search to all subfolders of the selected location.
- Current folder: Limits the search to only the folder you are in.
- Modification date: Filter by dates quickly, without having to type the filter manually.
- Use cases: allows you to select the file type (document, image, video, etc.).
- Size: Sets specific size ranges, from “empty” to “gigantic”.
- Advanced: Search through system files, compressed folders, or even the entire contents of files.
- Change indexed locations: Choose the locations where Windows speeds up searches by indexing.
These options can speed up your search, but remember that many can also be activated by typing the filter directly.
Tips and tricks to search for files in Windows 11 like a pro
It's not just about writing filters, but about knowing little tricks to speed up your daily life:
- Keyboard shortcuts: Usa Windows + S or simply press the key Windows and start typing to search without touching the mouse.
- Customize the search bar from the settings, so that it doesn't take up space if you prefer to access the search in another way.
- You can hide the search bar and access it only with shortcuts if you wish.
- Remember that if you write a mathematical operation or a currency conversion, Windows will show you the result directly in the search bar if you have an Internet connection.
- You can check There meteorological writing, for example, “The weather in Madrid.”
- Show hidden files and folders by activating the “Hidden Items” option in the “View” tab within the browser, in case your file is in a hidden folder.
Find videos, pictures, and other media files in Windows 11
For multimedia files, such as videos and images, Windows 11 offers quick methods and specific filters:
- For videos: Write kind:video in the search bar after selecting the folder or "This PC." This will list all compatible video files (mp4, mov, wmv, avi, etc.). You can also check out how to convert files into different formats if you need to modify your media files.
- Filter by format: Usa ext:.mp4 (Replace it with the specific format you're looking for.) You can combine it with the name if you remember it: vacation video ext:.mp4.
- Filter by date, size, folder: Use the same general filters explained above to further narrow down your results.
- For images: Use the height, width, and orientation operators to refine your search.
Remember that after each search, you can access the “Search Options” to modify parameters without having to rewrite filters.
What to do if Windows 11 search isn't enough? Third-party programs
If despite mastering advanced searches in Windows 11 you still can't find what you want, There are extremely fast and effective free programs that can help you, such as File Search Companion which offers many specific features and more flexibility to filter your files.
These alternatives are usually faster than native search, ideal for users who need to work with large amounts of files, find duplicates or search external drives.
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