How To Find and Open a File

We all have the best intentions when it comes to organizing our computer files. Yet we still sometimes forget just what folder we might have placed that file in. Or perhaps did we create a sub-folder for it. Luckily the Windows operating system gives us some options for locating files that we need to find.

Click on the “start” button. When that menu opens, single-click on the Search (magnifying glass) icon. This will bring you to the Search menu designed to refine your search to produce quicker results.

In the example on the right, Search offers a variety of choices. These choices provide options about the file or location that you are looking for. In many cases you will be looking for a document but if not sure and you have a part of the name, type it in the first box. If you are uncertain, then select the All files and folders option. The second choice will increase the time of your search and produce less precise results.

You can also tell Search what area of your computer it should be looking in (see image on the left). The little down-arrow next to the Look-in box allows you to view locations for files.

Depending on how you defined your criteria, the Search Results will give you one or more files. When the results appear and you want to open the file, double click on the icon next to the file name (see example below).

Once the Search is complete, you can select from the available files until you find the one you wanted. Click the file once to select and double click to open the file.