---
title: "Tips for Windows 7 Search"
url: https://lookeen.com/blog/tips-for-windows-7-search
lang: en
description: "Instead of searching through all your folders individually, you can simply use the Windows search – read here for practical tips and tricks for the Windows 7 search."
author: "Lena Hofmann"
published: 2015-07-23T14:35:03+00:00
modified: 2026-11-11T06:34:13+00:00
---

# Tips for Windows 7 Search

Today, almost every user has stored a large number of files in countless folders. With [Windows Search under Windows 7](http://windows.microsoft.com/de-de/windows7/help/find-what-you-are-looking-for-staying-organized-in-windows-7), you can search your computer for any file and thus find your documents, emails, photos, and more more quickly. However, with Windows 7 Search, you can not only search your libraries but also external hard drives and networks.

## Searching for files using the Windows search

[Make searching for files, photos, emails, and more easier with the Lookeen search tool!](https://lookeen.com/product/overview)

You can access the Windows 7 search by pressing the Windows key – you can now enter your search term. After entering the term, the Windows search displays a results list containing the relevant files on your PC; the search terms are highlighted in color. For example, you can search by date, filename, file type, or content. If you click on a result category such as Documents or Pictures, your search results will be filtered according to that category. To see more results, click *Show more results*. Alternatively, you can navigate to the location where you suspect the file is stored and enter the filename in the search box located at the top right.

## Customizing the Windows 7 Search

To make the most of the Windows 7 search, there are several helpful tips and tricks. For example, you can customize the file content search – normally, Windows only searches within pre-configured indexed folders, which include your personal libraries among others. If you want to extend the search to other folders as well, you can have them indexed too: To do this, simply right-click the folder in Explorer, select *Properties*, and on the General tab, click the *Advanced* button. Then check the box next to *Allow contents of files in this folder to be indexed in addition to file properties*. Alternatively, you can allow searching in non-indexed folders by selecting the *Always search file names and contents* option in the Search tab under *Tools/Folder options* in the menu.

## Saving search queries in Windows 7

If you frequently search for the same files or file types, you have the option to save these search queries: After searching, you must click *Save search* in the Explorer’s search window to do this; you can then save the search under a specific name in your Search Favorites. To run the search again, simply click the corresponding entry in your favorites.

## Advanced search settings for Windows 7 Search

Using operators such as AND or NOT will narrow your search results: If you enter an AND between two words, only results containing both words will be displayed; a NOT excludes the second word from the search query. You can also specify a time frame for the results by entering *Modified date:*. You can also filter by file size by entering *Size:*. If you only want to search for files of a specific format, simply enter it into the search box – for example, “Robbie Williams mp3” to limit the search to mp3 files containing the corresponding search term.