How to Search in Windows 10

Finding a specific app, file, or setting buried in the depths of Windows 10 can be challenging. If you’re having trouble tracking down specific items across the Start menu, File Explorer, and the Windows Settings menu, you can simply use the search feature. Windows 10 offers a powerful and flexible search tool that can help you find exactly what you want, no matter where it is.

With the Windows 10 search tool, you can conduct narrow searches to find specific items such as apps from the Start menu, music from File Explorer, and settings from the Settings menu. You can run web searches directly from the search box without first having to open your browser. The tool even gives easy access to the apps and files you use most frequently.

This search tool was once closely tied to Cortana, but the Windows 10 May 2019 Update split the two features apart. Windows 10 search has its own settings screen where you can customize your experience. Let’s check out how to use the search tool.

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  Starting Your Search

  If you don’t already have the May Update, you'll need to download it from the Windows Update menu on your computer. Go to Settings > Update & security. If the update is ready for your PC, it will appear as Feature Update to Windows 10, 1903.
  
  Click the link to Download and install now. If you don’t see the update and want to install it manually, browse to Microsoft’s Windows 10 Update pageand click the button to Update now.
  
  But be aware that Microsoft is rolling out the update in stages to ensure greater compatibility and fewer conflicts with Windows 10 devices. If you manually install the update before Microsoft makes it available on your PC, you may run into issues with some apps or features.
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  Search Window

  When you have the May Update, click in the search box at the bottom left of your screen. By default, the search window shows you the top apps you use, as well as recent activities, so you can easily click on the programs and files you frequently use.
  
  Click the Manage history link to view your Windows 10 Timeline, which shows every program, webpage, document, and file you recently opened. Select a panel to open the item up, or click on any empty area in between to close the timeline.
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  Run a Search

  Conduct a search by typing what you need into the search box. By default, Windows searches across several categories to deliver results. You can open an item from here, or you can narrow the search results further.
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  Search By Categories

  The search menu consists of several categories, including Apps, Documents, Email, Web, and from the More dropdown menu, Folders, Music, People, Photos, Settings, and Video. Click a category to filter the results.
  
  When you’re searching for a specific software program, you can click Apps to narrow the search field. Looking for a document related to your search term? Select the heading for Documents. If you’re seeking an email connected with your search term, select the heading for Email.
  
  Trying to find a website or web page associated with the search term? Click the heading for Web. The search window shows you direct results in the right pane and related searches in the left pane. Click on one of the searches and you’re directed to a Bing page.
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  Search Categories Shortcut

  You can expedite your search by typing the category directly into the search box (apps or documents, for example), and Windows will show you results from the correct category. To do this, type the category followed by a colon and then your search term—for example: documents: iPhone
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  Search Icon

  Next, that search box takes up a lot of space on the Windows Taskbar, space you could devote to other apps and icons. You can shrink it down to an icon so it takes up less space. To do this, right-click any empty space on the Taskbar and select Search > Show search icon, and the big box is reduced to a small icon.
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  Search Settings

  You can control your searches to make sure they deliver the results you need. Click in the search box or on the search icon. Click the ellipsis icon for Options in the upper right corner of the window. From the menu, select Search settings. Alternatively, go to Settings and select the Search category, which replaces the Cortana category from prior versions of Windows 10.
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  SafeSearch

  You can start by customizing the search results to include or exclude adult content, choosing from strict, moderate, or no filtering.
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  Cloud Content

  Under Cloud content search, you can control the ability to find content from any cloud-based services you use, including Outlook and OneDrive. Turn your account's switch on or off.
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  Search Privacy

  Microsoft collects certain information related to your searches to deliver the most accurate results, but you can disable Windows from viewing your device and search history. With this kind of setting, you can protect your privacy but still allow Windows to gather the necessary data to work effectively.
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  Bing Search History

  From this page, you can also view and clear any search history you have with Bing. Click the link for Search history settings to view your recent searches. At your search history page, click the button to View and delete search history.
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  Search Windows Settings

  Back at the Search settings window, click the entry for Searching Windows. Here, you can view and control which folders are included in a search. In the Find My Files section, you can opt for a classic search, which looks for items only in your libraries and desktop. Alternatively, choose the Enhanced option to widen a search to your entire PC. The enhanced search may find more items but will take longer to index. In the Excluded Folders section, you can add or remove folders that you don’t want included in your searches.
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  Privacy Settings

  Finally, click the entry for More details. Here, the link for Privacy statement takes you to Microsoft’s online Privacy Statement page to explain why the company collects certain data about your activities. The link for Windows privacy options takes you to a page where you can view and change your privacy options. And the link for Cortana & search brings up a web page about Cortana and your privacy.
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