Microsoft Windows Explorer displays the files and folders in an organizational way. Windows Explorer will display the files or folders are in the selected folder or drive. If the selected folder or drive has a large number of files; it is difficult for us to look for the file that we need either based on the file name or based on the attribute or even based on the content inside the file.
This article discusses the search filters used in the Search box in Windows Explorer.
This article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows 7
Windows Explorer provides a powerful feature to allow to find the files within the selected folder or its sub-folders by using the search box in Windows Explorer.
The search box in Windows Explorer allows us to give the name of the files or folders you want to search within the selected folder or allows us to provide the text to search within the files which are in the selected folder, or even it allows us to search the files based on the given search filters.
The search box will be displayed on the top right corner in the Windows Explorer window.
When you place the cursor within the search box, the drop-down list will display with recent search items within the list. The bottom of the list displays available filters based on the folder you selected. Yes, it is correct. The filters in the Search box are based on the selected folder. For eg: the search filters will be different for a normal folder than the Music folder than the Videos folder.
Step (1). Place the cursor inside the search box. As discussed, it will display a drop-down list.
Step (2). So selected folder type-related filters will be displayed in the drop-down list. From the drop-down list, select the filter.
Below is the screenshot which displays the search filters for the Music folder.
Step (3). Now it displays the list of selected filter’s values in the drop-down list. Select the listed value from the list.
Step (4). Notice that the files in the explorer will be displayed which satisfy the given filter condition.
You can refine your search results by applying more search filters. Note that Windows Explorer allows applying multiple filters at a time.
Step (5). To clear the search filters, click on the (x) mark in the search box. So Windows Explorer clears the search filter and displays the files or folders are in the selected folder or drive.