Search tips and shortcuts on Windows 10

Search shortcuts in Windows 10 will help you operate and handle work faster. Here are all the search shortcuts in Windows 10 that you should know.

Search tips and shortcuts on Windows 10

Once you have hundreds of files saved on your PC, finding certain files will become a big problem, even a nightmare for many people. Luckily, Windows 10 provides users with a number of methods that can be used to find the exact file and document or tool they want.

Using Windows Search is the easiest way to find files on your PC. You just need to press the Windows key to start searching or click on the search bar available on the taskbar.

Besides, you can use Cortana to find files or information on the web. This Windows virtual assistant allows you to ask questions using voice commands or typing keywords into the search field. Just press the Windows + Q key combination to open Cortana or click the Cortana icon on the taskbar.

Finally, search for documents using File Explorer. This feature helps you explore the entire file collection to find the desired data. Furthermore, you can narrow your search using advanced query syntax (AQS) and logical operators.

Search tips and shortcuts on Windows 10

Tips for searching on Windows 10

The following is a table of keyboard shortcuts you can use to search in Windows 10 using each of the above methods.

Windows 10 search shortcuts and tips

Shortcut Key Act
Basic Windows 10 search and Cortana
Windows key Open the search bar in the Start menu
Windows + S or
Windows + Q
Open Cortana search bar in text mode
Down arrow Select results below
Arrow up Select the result above
Arrow to the right Select the option on the right
Arrow to the left Select the option on the left
Enter Open the selected item
Esc Close the search menu
Narrow your Cortana search
Apps: Search for software
Documents: Search documents
Videos: Search for videos
Folders: Search folders
Music: Search for music
Settings: Search for settings
Photos: Search for photos
Mail: Search your Outlook email inbox
People: I'm looking for one people
Cortana's web search engine
Web: Search on the Internet
Paris weather Get weather information
Sydney time Get time zone information
Define: "technology" Find the definition of the word
Facebook stock Get stock information
Donald Trump age Find information about public figures
50usd to euro Currency exchange
5in to mm Change unit of measurement
74f to c Change temperature
86/2*10 Calculate
DAL1439 View flight status
red sox scores View current sports match results
food near me Find restaurants near you
Cortana search command by voice
Windows + C Open Cortana in voice command mode
Say "Hey Cortana" Open Cortana in voice command mode
Find document (file name) Find specific files
Find photos from January 2018 Find photos by timeline
Open (app name) Open the specific app
Search the web for Lenovo laptops Search by specific terms
What's the tallest mountain in the world? Find the truth on the Internet
Find restaurants near me Find local restaurants
What's the time in Paris? Find time zone information for a location
Show me the latest news Show the latest news
What's the weather? View local weather information
Find showtimes near me Find movie showtimes in your area
What's 2+2? Calculate
What's 13 pounds in ounces? Change units of measurement
Search File Explorer Basic
Windows + E Open File Explorer
Ctrl + F or
Ctrl + E or
F3
Place the cursor in the search bar
Ctrl + L or
Alt + D
Place the cursor in the address bar
Down arrow Select results below
Arrow up Select the result above
Arrow to the right Select the option on the right
Arrow to the left Select the option on the left
Enter Open the selected file
Backspace key or 
Alt+Left arrow
Return to the previous page
Alt + Right Arrow Go to the next page
Alt + Up Arrow Return to the folder containing the current file or folder
Esc Clear search or address bar
Search File Explorer using Advanced Query Syntax
store:desktop Limit search to Desktop
store:files Limit your search to Files
store:outlook Limit search in Outlook
store:oe Limit search to Outlook Express
*.file_extension Search for files with special extensions
kind:everything Search all file types
kind:communications Search media files
kind:contacts Search for contacts
kind:email Find emails
kind:im Search for instant messaging conversations
kind:meetings Find a meeting
kind:tasks Find work
kind:notes Find notes
kind:documents Find documents
kind:text Find text documents
kind:spreadsheets Find the spreadsheet file
kind:presentations Find the slideshow file
kind:music Find music files
kind:pics Find image files
kind:videos Find video files
kind:folders Find folder
kind:favorites Favorite search
kind:programs Find program files
date:today, date:tomorrow, date:yesterday Find objects with specific dates and months
modified:last week Search entries by date modified
size:>40, size: Search items by file size
Search File Explorer using Boolean operators
Keyword 1 not keyword 2 Find results for keyword 1, without keyword 2
Keyword 1 or keyword 2 Find results with keyword 1 or keyword 2
"Keyword 1" Find results with the phrase "keyword 1" displayed correctly
(Keyword 1 keyword 2) Find results that have both keyword 1 and keyword 2
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