How to Search for Files in Windows 10

To search for files in Windows 10, open File Explorer, select the folder or This PC on the left, and type part of the file name in the search box at the top right. Results appear as you type.

For a quick search, type in the search box on the taskbar and select Documents or Photos at the top of the results.

Applies to: Windows 10. Checked against Microsoft Support on September 25, 2026.

Search from the taskbar

1. Select the search box or magnifying glass on the taskbar, or press Windows key + S.
2. Type the file name or a word in it.
3. Select Documents, Photos, or More > Folders to show only that kind of result.

Taskbar search looks in your indexed locations, such as your user folders. For other drives, use File Explorer.

Search in File Explorer

1. Press Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
2. Select where to look. Choose This PC to search every drive, or a folder to search just that folder.
3. Select the search box at the top right and type part of the file name.

Searching all of This PC can take a while. Searching one folder is faster.

Filter by date, size, or type

After you type in the search box, the Search tab appears at the top of File Explorer.

1. Select Date modified and pick a range, such as This week or Last year.
2. Select Kind to show only documents, pictures, or videos. Select Size for small or huge files.

You can also type filters straight into the search box:

• datemodified:this week or datemodified:1/1/2026..3/31/2026
• kind:document, kind:picture, or kind:video
• size:>100MB
• ext:.pdf for one file type

Search shortcuts to type in File Explorer

• *.pdf finds every PDF in the folder you’re searching.
• ext:.docx finds Word documents by file type.
• size:>100MB finds large files, handy when your drive is full.
• datemodified:this week finds files changed recently.
• Put words in quotes, such as "budget 2026", to find that exact phrase in names.

To keep a search you use often, select Save search on the Search tab. Windows saves it in your Searches folder, and you can right-click it and pin it to Quick access.

Search inside files

To find words inside documents, select Advanced options on the Search tab and choose File contents. This is slower, especially outside indexed folders.

Search from the command line

Open Command Prompt and use one of these:

• dir C:\Users\Alex\*.pdf /s lists every PDF in that folder and all folders inside it.
• where /r C:\ report.docx finds a file by exact name anywhere on drive C.

If search doesn’t find your file

• It’s hidden: turn on hidden items. See how to show hidden files in Windows 10.
• It’s in AppData: that folder is hidden too. See how to open the AppData folder in Windows 10.
• Results are slow or incomplete: open Settings > Search > Searching Windows and choose Enhanced, or add folders to the index.
• The file is in OneDrive only: it still shows up, but it downloads when you open it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I search for a file by date?

Use Date modified on the Search tab, or type datemodified: and a date in the search box.

Why doesn’t taskbar search find my file?

It only covers indexed locations. Search This PC in File Explorer instead.

Can I search inside PDFs?

Yes, if a PDF app that supports Windows search is installed, and File contents is on.

To save screenshots to a different folder, see how to change where screenshots are saved in Windows 10.

To find files you downloaded, see how to find downloads on Windows 10.

If the search box doesn’t respond or misses files it should find, see how to fix Windows Search not working in Windows 10.

To save or print the names of everything in a folder, see how to print a list of files in a folder in Windows 10.

To list every spreadsheet on your PC, see how to find all Excel files in Windows 10.

Microsoft’s guide is Find your files and apps in Windows. More help is on our Windows Help & Guides page.

Related: How to find all Word documents on your computer.