Microsoft® Windows Vista®: find files using basic Search

Need to find a file on your hard disk but don't know the file name? Even if you have no idea where the file might be located, you can use Search, a robust Windows Vista feature that can help you find a file anywhere on your disk.

This demonstration shows you how to perform a basic search in Windows Vista.

Click Start.

Click Search.

The Search window opens.

The mouse insertion point moves in to the Search text box.

Type a word or phrase for which you want to search.

Windows Vista automatically searches for the word or phrase.

Wait while the search takes place. As long as this green bar appears, the search is still progressing.

This indicator also shows the search is still taking place.

Search results appear, showing files of all types from all indexed locations.

This bar is no longer green because the search is complete.

To filter the search results for a certain type of content, click one of the Show only categories, such as Document.

The results are filtered to show only the specified type.

To save the search for easy repetition later of the same specifications, click Save Search.

Accept the default name.

Click Save.

To sort the results by a certain column, click that column heading.

To recall a saved search, click Searches.

A folder containing shortcuts to all the saved searches opens.

Double-click a saved search to re-perform it.

The search results appear.

To delete a saved search, click Searches.

Right-click a saved search that you want to delete.

Select Delete.

Click Yes.

In this demonstration, you learned how to find files using the Windows Vista Search feature. You also learned how to save a search to use again in the future and how to delete a saved search.