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.
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.
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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