Advanced search in Windows 8. How to quickly find files, folders and search programs in Windows

Search functions in Windows 8 have gained new development. G8 makes it possible to search for information not only on local computer, but also in Windows Store, and on the Internet using Bing - search service Microsoft. There are also more places from which you can search, and it has become much more convenient and easier to use. However, first things first.

Smart search from the home screen

In the top right node home screen Windows 8 has three small icons. To search, click on the Magnifying Glass icon and start typing your query.

Just enter a few characters into search bar so that the system offers a number of options. All you have to do is click the appropriate one.

Next to the search field there is a filter button that allows you to select what and where to search: a file, a parameter, an image, a video from the Internet, or all together (the “everywhere” option).

By the way, to search for information while on the home screen, you don’t even have to launch the search function. Any text that you start typing on the keyboard will itself be inserted into the search bar.

If you enter a query and do not select anything from the list of suggestions, pressing Enter or the “Find” button (the “Magnifying Glass” icon) will open a window with all the results that match the query.

Right-clicking on any of the files will open a short summary at the bottom of the screen. context menu: Open the location or copy this file.

If you were looking for materials on the Internet, right-clicking on what you found will open a button to go to the site.

The video menu allows you to filter what you find by length and resolution.

Images from the Internet have the richest filter. Here you can set the picture size, type, layout (horizontal or vertical), color scheme (black and white or color), and also open the People application.

Search from pop-up panel

Another Search button is also located in the pop-up sidebar (Charms Bar in Windows 8), which appears on the right side of the screen when you hover over the upper right corner.

In addition, open sidebar can be pressed Windows keys+ C, and to call only the search (in a separate panel) you need to press Windows + F.

Search from the Windows button context menu

The Windows button replaced the Start button in the G8. Clicking it now opens the Windows 8 Start screen, and many useful features moved to the context menu of this button. Among them is search. To use it, open the menu and click the “Find” command.

Search from Windows Explorer

To search data via Windows Explorer 8 Each folder has a small input field marked with a Magnifying Glass icon. Just type in it key phrase- and in a couple of minutes the system will display a selection of files and directories whose names include this request.

Search parameters and filters are set in the settings of the menu of the same name. By clicking the Search button on top panel folders, you can specify:

• Search location - current folder only or current and all subfolders.
• Time range - when the file was created or modified.
• File type (document, picture, music file, postal message, contact file, playlist and much more).
• File sizes range from empty (0 kb) to gigantic (>128 mb).
• Other file properties include tags, type, rating, folder path and shooting date.

Nearby, in the “Options” section, there are buttons for viewing the query log, setting locations, saving specified conditions, and closing the search window.

How to Search and Open Hidden Files and Folders in Windows 8

Many system files and folders are hidden from the user's view and are not displayed in Explorer. This is done, first of all, to protect against accidental deletion, but in some cases such secrecy harms rather than helps. For example, when you want to find and manually remove a virus or find data that it has hidden.

Do hidden files and folders visible in Windows 8 in several ways.

If you know the name and location hidden folder, just open the directory in which it is located, enter its name in address bar and press Enter. The folder, even if it is not visible, will be opened and all its contents will be displayed on the screen. Here is one such example - the AppData folder in the user directory, which stores hidden application data:

To view hidden data for just one folder, click in top menu"View" button, open the "Show or hide" section and check the "Show hidden elements" checkbox.

Search has become one of the main Windows improvements 8.1. The Search Heroes feature, which introduces search results in the form of a beautiful and functional presentation, it really became the hero of most reviews of the new OS.

But I want to focus your attention on another innovation - the search bar. Everything is even more interesting there.

WITH Windows release 8.1, I began to often use the keyboard shortcut Win + S, primarily due to the fact that the search opens anywhere and does not look like a foreign window, but like a sidebar.

You can also call this panel using the Search charm. While on the Start screen, you just need to start typing a query.

Key Features

Local search is performed by folders, settings and applications. Search results are ranked based on frequency of use. Under the main output, there are tips “ Smart search", based on Bing results. Above the search bar there is a results filter.

These functions new line search is not limited. I will show opportunities that journalists and Microsoft itself have not focused on.

File Explorer

If you start typing a drive letter (for example, E:\ or simply \ ), all files and folders in this directory will be displayed at once. You can navigate through them using up and down arrows, and open them by adding a slash. There is no need to remember the path to the file, everything happens clearly and instantly.

Execute

Running commands works exactly the same as in the Run window. This opportunity has appeared since the days of Vista, but for some reason many people still don’t know about it or don’t use it.

Address bar

Entering an address was inherited from the “Run” window, but now the results include direct links to well-known sites.

Search by people and postal addresses

If you enter the name of a contact, for example from Twitter, Facebook or another network connected to the People application, the search bar will offer to send him a message, call or something else.

You can also enter a frequently used e-mail, and the system will prompt you to write a letter to the recipient.

Search by music

If you enter the name of any song, artist or album, the first result in the search results will prompt you to start playing immediately. Moreover, unlike the “Search Heroes” screen, there is no link to Xbox Music; the music opens in the player selected by default.

Search by pinned tiles

All pinned applications, sites, contacts and other shortcuts are also included in the index and are available through search. In addition, many search results can be instantly pinned to your Start screen by clicking right click mouse according to the result. For example, I have a whole group of tiles with music albums.

What are the systemic Windows requirements 8?

• CPU: 1 gigahertz (GHz) or higher with PAE, NX and SSE2 support
• RAM: 1 gigabyte (GB) for 32-bit Windows or 2 GB for 64-bit
• Free disk space : 16 GB for 32-bit Windows or 20 GB for 64-bit
• Video card: Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics adapter with WDDM driver

Additional requirements to use certain features:

• To use touch input, you need a tablet or multi-touch monitor
• To access Windows store, downloading and launching applications requires an active Internet connection and a screen resolution of at least 1024x768
• To use the Snap function (attaching applications), you need a screen resolution of at least 1366x768
• Access to the Internet
• For secure boot, you need firmware that supports UEFI v2.3.1 Errata B and has a certification authority certificate in the UEFI signature database Microsoft Windows

What is the minimum resolution to run on Windows 8?

You can run Windows 8 even at the most minimal resolutions, which are currently not used anywhere, like 640x480. For use various functions Inside Windows, the corresponding minimum resolution is required:

• To access the Windows Store, download and run applications, you need a screen resolution of at least 1024x768
• To use the Snap function (snapping applications), you must have a screen resolution of at least 1366x768

When installing Windows 8 as a second system, the disk of the first OS is not visible in it

At Windows installation 8 by the second system on a computer where another Windows OS (7, Vista or XP) is installed, the partition on which the previous OS is installed is not assigned a letter.

To display it, you can assign a drive letter manually.

1. Right click on the bottom left corner of the screen ---> Disk management.
2. Right-click on the section without a letter and select Change drive letter or drive path, then assign a letter to it.

What image formats can be mounted using standard Windows 8 tools?

A new feature in Windows 8 is mounting (connecting) disk images regular means. Only images are officially supported ISO formats and VHD, but in fact - all “renamed” ISOs, for example IMG. For images of other formats you will have to continue to use the programs third party developers: Alcohol, DAEMON Tools, Virtual CloneDrive, etc.

Microsoft account

What is a Microsoft account and what is it for?

A Microsoft account is an alternative to a regular username and password for logging into Windows. The main difference between a Microsoft account is the synchronization of settings operating system and applications over the Internet with other computers where you are logged in with the same account.

How do I start using a Microsoft account or switch back to a local account?

Click the charm button Options ---> ---> Users --->

Switch to a Microsoft account

Switch to local account.

Here you can change your password.

Is it possible to log into Windows when there is no Internet connection?

Yes, it's possible. The connection is required to synchronize data; it does not affect the ability to log into Windows. As soon as the connection reappears, the data is synchronized.

What data is automatically synchronized?

You can set which settings will be synchronized:

Click the charm button Options ---> Change computer settings ---> Synchronizing settings --->

• Personalization. Colors, background, lock screen and your avatar
• Desktop personalization. Themes, taskbar, high contrast and other options
• Passwords. Login information for some apps, websites, networks, and homegroup
• Special abilities. Narrator, magnifier and other parameters
• Language settings. Keyboards, input methods, interface language and other options
• Application settings. Some app settings and files purchased through the app
• Browser. Settings, History, and Favorites
• Other Windows settings. Explorer and mouse

Even if you have one computer, synchronization can be useful. At reinstalling Windows you don’t have to waste time setting up the above parameters; all settings will be automatically received from the cloud storage on the Internet.

What other benefits does a Microsoft account have?

• Automatic login to modern Windows applications. The ability to seamlessly download and update applications in the Windows Store.
• Data synchronization in modern applications. For example, if you start making a shopping list at home and place the file in the SkyDrive service folder on your computer, this file will automatically be sent to cloud storage in the Internet. You can continue editing it at work, and then, when you arrive at the store in the evening, you can view the list on your smartphone or tablet. Very comfortably!

If you forget to put a file in storage, SkyDrive can help you reach it on remote computer. The main thing is to allow this possibility in advance.

Getting to know the new Windows 8 interface

Where are the Start button and menu now? How can I get them back?

In Windows 8, the Start menu has been replaced by the Start screen.

Here you can pin your most frequently used applications, as well as access all applications installed on your computer. The Start screen appears immediately after Windows boots.

There is no way to return to the “classic” Start menu. Alternatively you can use .

The Start button appears when you hover your cursor at the lower left corner of the screen:

and it calls up the initial screen.

Initial (start) screen

Appears immediately after Windows boots.

Here, as planned by the authors of Windows 8, all the information you need will be collected. On one tile there is a weather forecast, on another there are news headlines, there are also tiles for launching your favorite programs and games, for opening web pages and computer folders.

The initial screen is shaped by you to your liking. You can attach the necessary tiles here and remove unnecessary ones, move, reduce or enlarge tiles for better perception and to accommodate more dynamic information.

The Start screen is automatically updated with tiles for installed programs.

How to search in Windows 8?

The easiest way:

1. From the Start screen, start typing your search term.
2. Then, if necessary, select where the search will be carried out: among applications, settings, files, or in one of the applications
3. Get the result:

You can also search while in the modern application. To do this, click the magic button Search and type your request.

Charms Bar

You can call the panel in one of the following ways:

There are many ways to turn it off. Standard method for Windows 8 is as follows: Move your mouse pointer to one of the right corners of the screen (or quickly swipe from the right edge to the center on touch display) -> Options(or press the keyboard shortcut Win+I) -> Shutdown.

There is no hibernation in the shutdown menu

To add it there, right-click in the lower left corner of the screen ---> Power management ---> What the power buttons do ---> Change settings that are currently unavailable---> check the box Hibernation Mode.

Why aren't window titles transparent?

According to Microsoft, this has lost its relevance. Transparency is disabled in the final version of Windows 8.

Applications

Where can I find "All Programs"?

In Windows 7, there was an “All Programs” item in the Start menu. In Windows 8, right-click anywhere on the Start screen and select All Apps, or click Ctrl+Tab.

Application switching panel

On the left side of the Windows 8 screen there is a panel for switching between applications. To call her

• Move your mouse to one of the left corners, then up or down.
• Swipe in from the left edge touch screen, and then, without releasing your finger, push the app back to the left edge.
• Use a keyboard shortcut Win+Tab.

You will see the running applications and can select the one you need. The desktop and all desktop applications are present as one element when switching.

For fast switching between running applications And classic apps click on the left top corner. When using the touch screen, swipe from the left edge to the center.

To switch between all running applications (in Metro style, as they were previously called) and classic applications, use the familiar and favorite combination Alt+Tab.

Attaching applications

With pinning, you can use two apps at the same time. For example, while surfing the Internet, manage your music playlist.

To attach, grab the application by the very top (the cursor turns into a palm)

and drag to the right or left edge.

Bring up the app switcher panel and drag the thumbnail to the other edge.

How to close a modern application?

There is no need to close them. When inactive, Windows pauses modern applications and closes them after a while.

If for any reason you need to close modern application manually, here are several ways for you to choose from:

• Press the keyboard shortcut Alt+F4.
• Move your mouse cursor to the top of the screen and drag all the way to the bottom.
• Click on the thumbnail unnecessary application on the application switcher panel and tap Close.

• Quit the application in Task Manager.

How to enable gadgets?

Gadgets are missing from Windows 8 and there is no way to enable them. To solve the problem, look for methods from folk craftsmen.

It seems that with every new version Windows, the way it searches for programs, settings and files is changing again. And Windows 8.1 is no exception here. True, basic search has been significantly improved since Windows 7. In Windows 7, you open the Start menu and enter the desired line to the search result; and in Windows 8, text entry occurs on the start screen.

Windows 7 always puts your searches in context, so your Start menu searches for programs and settings are always prioritized. Windows 8.1 by default searches for files, settings, applications, and online searches all at once.

However, searching directly in File Explorer still prioritizes the type of content shown in that window.

Now in Windows 8.1 you can start searching directly from the Start screen by simply entering text. No matter what you do on the start screen (even if you just right-clicked on the mosaic), you can start typing and search results will appear immediately. You can also start searching directly from the start screen or desktop Windows desktop by pressing the key combination "Win+S".

When you start a search in Windows 8.1, the search results show relevant results: files, settings, or applications, plus Internet search results (Bing.com) at the bottom.

Search at home Windows screen 8.1.

If you press the Enter key or the magnifying glass icon to the right of the search field, a full-screen page appears containing many more contextual results. These results are shown in columns, with links at the bottom that you can click to expand that section, giving you access to expanded results.

Rich contextual results.

Attention. Sometimes, during a search, the first item in the list of results is highlighted, which is Windows 8.1 thinking that it has found exactly what you need. Pressing "Enter" opens the selected item to the full search bar.

If you're not happy with the highlighted item, click the search tab to the right of the field and open the full results panel instead.

The search is intelligent, so it doesn't literally search for words. A Manage search, for example, finds relevant Windows features, including Device Manager, Remote Assistance, and accessibility options.

This means that you do not need to know the exact name of what you are looking for in Windows functions. When you search for apps and desktop programs (search results appear in app results), the results found depend more on how the developer programmed it, but Windows 8.1's search tool generally does an excellent job.

Search in file explorer.

Explorer contains its own context-sensitive search field. To some extent, its use turns out to be more effective way searching for files and documents in Windows 8.1 than searching on the Start screen.

The search field prioritizes content. This could be prioritized documents, pictures, music, videos, a specific drive (internal or external), a network location, or something else. Thus, this tool is more flexible and dynamic than Start Screen Search.

Search in file explorer.

To search in the file explorer, use the "Search" tab in the ribbon. It contains tools and buttons that make search even more powerful and useful, especially for those unfamiliar with search syntax of people.

The Search tab on the ribbon allows you to filter your search by:

• Current folder and all subfolders
• Libraries, Email, notes or Internet
• Last modified (opened) file
• File type
• file size
• File name
• Specific folders
• File tags.

Search tab on the ribbon.

These options cover almost any search you will undertake in Windows 8.1. The Search tab on the ribbon appears automatically when you type something in the search field file explorer.

Attention. The Search tab on the File Explorer ribbon provides fast access to recent searches, which makes it possible to repeat them.

When you search in an Explorer window, you can also use the syntax complex query(AQS), which will significantly narrow your search. Some of the most useful syntax search options include Kind, Date/Change, Type, and Name.

Search with AQS in Explorer.

Kind (search by document type properties):

Kind:=email; Kind:=task; Kind:=note; Kind:=document; Kind:=music; Kind:=song; Kind:=folder; Kind:=program.

Datemodified (search for a file by date or modification):

Datemodified:MM/DD/YYYY; Datemodified:MM/DD/YY; Datemodified:MM/DD/YY..MM/DD/YY; Datemodified:yesterday; Datemodified:lastweek; Datemodified:pastmonth.

Type (search files by type):

Type:image; :image jpeg; :.doc; :.pdf.

Name (search for files by name):

Name:vacation; Name:wedding; Name:budget.

Enter by Type: Initially displays a drop-down list of all file types on your computer (for example, DOC or PDF). If you keep typing type:image, for example, you can filter your search by various types images or search all types of images. You can also use other file types, such as type:document, type:audio, type:video, type:presentation, etc.

As you begin typing words into the File Explorer search, a drop-down list opens (with all supported filter options). Clicking on the appropriate filter for your search helps you find what you are looking for faster. If you are looking for dates, the calendar will help you.

Start Search works almost the same as the search in the Start menu in Windows 7. From the desktop, press the WIN key (or CTRL + ESC) and you will see the search interface with a panel. The search bar will give you options like searching by apps, settings, and files, plus icons for each search-enabled Metro app.

As you type a word into the search bar, matching results will appear on the left side of the screen. By default, apps (both desktop and Metro style) are selected, but you can change the search filter to Options (including Control Panel) or Files.

To search for applications, just use the WIN+Q key combination on the start screen or desktop. Although this is not required, because by default it is applications that are searched.

The search for parameters is activated by the key combination WIN+W. You can start searching for settings from the Start screen, desktop, or any Metro app. Similarly, file search is activated by the key combination WINKEY+F.

To start searching the Metro app, use the keyboard shortcut WIN+Q. This only works with applications that support Windows 8 Search Charm. Although many applications can do this, including most built into Windows 8, like Bing and Xbox.

Search in the weather app

The nice thing about Windows 8's built-in search is that it's very flexible. For example, you can search in Internet Explorer, which activates the browser's search engine. By choosing another Metro app in the search bar list, you can redirect the same search request to it, such as your email, your Microsoft Marketplace music collection (via Xbox Music), or anything else.

Search also offers suggestions for queries that appear below the search field. It will also reorganize the list compatible applications in the search bar so that the apps you search for most often are at the top.

Overall, the search is one of the most successful Windows features 8.