search syntax

Winsage
February 27, 2025
Digital clutter on personal computers can make finding specific files challenging. To improve search efficiency in Windows' File Explorer, users can implement several strategies: 1. Organize files into a structured hierarchy of folders and subfolders, and use a consistent naming convention for easy identification. 2. Refine search queries using specific syntax, such as excluding terms with "NOT" or using wildcards like "*" and "?" to represent characters. 3. Utilize search filters in Windows Search to narrow results by date modified, file type, size, system files, zipped folders, or file contents. 4. Change indexed locations in the Settings app to improve search performance, opting for Enhanced mode to index the entire PC or Classic mode for specific folders. 5. Save and pin searches for frequently accessed files to facilitate quick retrieval later.
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