When you've amassed hundreds of files on your PC, finding one specific file can quickly turn into a nightmare. Fortunately, Windows 10 has a few methods that you can use to navigate through your files and find the exact document or tool you're looking for.

Using Windows Search is the easiest way to get started. You can simply press the Windows key to start searching, or you can click the built-in search bar on your taskbar.

Alternatively, you can use Cortana to find files or search for information on the web. Cortana gives you the convenience of asking questions via voice commands, and also lets you type in specific searches. Just hit Windows + Q to open Cortana, or click the Cortana icon on your taskbar.

The final way to search through your documents is with File Explorer. With this feature, you can browse your entire collection of files to find specific data. What’s more, you can narrow down your search using Advanced Query Syntax and Boolean operators.

This cheat sheet will go over the shortcuts you can use to search in Windows 10 using each of these methods.

FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download The Windows 10 Search Cheat Sheet.

Windows 10 Search Shortcuts and Tips

Shortcut

Action

Basic Windows 10 and Cortana Search

Windows

Open Start menu search bar

Windows + S OR 
Windows + Q

Open Cortana search bar in text mode

Down Arrow

Select result below

Up Arrow

Select result above

Right Arrow

Select option to the right

Left Arrow

Select option to the left

Enter

Open selected item

Esc

Close search menu

Narrow Down Local Cortana Search

Apps:

Search within Apps

Documents:

Search within Documents

Videos:

Search within Videos

Folders:

Search within Folders

Music:

Search within Music

Settings:

Search within Settings

Photos:

Search within Photos

Mail:

Search within your Outlook email inbox

People:

Search within People

Cortana Web Search Tools

Web:

Search the internet

Paris weather

Get weather information

Sydney time

Get time zone information

Define: "technology"

Find word definitions

Facebook stock

Get stock market information

Donald Trump age

Find facts about public figures

50usd to eur

Convert currencies

5in to mm

Convert measuring units

74f to c

Convert temperatures

86/2*10

Perform math calculations

DAL1439

Track flight status

red sox score

Find current sports scores

food near me

Find local restaurants

Cortana Voice Command Search

Windows + C

Open Cortana in voice command mode

Say "Hey Cortana"

Open Cortana in voice command mode

Find document (file name)

Find a specific file

Find photos from January 2018

Find photos from a specific time

Open (app name)

Open a specific app

Search the web for Lenovo laptops

Search the internet for a specific term

What's the tallest mountain in the world?

Find facts on the internet

Find restaurants near me

Search the internet for local restaurants

What's the time in Paris?

Find time zone information

Show me the latest news

Display the latest news headlines

What's the weather?

Find local weather information

Find showtimes near me

Find local movie showtimes

What's 2+2?

Perform math calculations

What's 13 pounds in ounces?

Perform measurement conversions

Basic File Explorer Search

Windows + E

Open File Explorer

Ctrl + F OR 
Ctrl+E OR 
F3

Place cursor in the search bar

Ctrl + L OR Alt + D

Place cursor in the address bar

Up Arrow

Select result above

Down Arrow

Select result below

Right Arrow

Select result to the right

Left Arrow

Select result to the left

Enter

Open selected file

Backspace OR 
Alt+ Left Arrow

Return to previous page

Alt + Right Arrow

Go to next page

Alt + Up Arrow

Return to the folder that the current file or folder is in

Esc

Clear search or address bar

File Explorer Advanced Query Syntax Search

store:desktop

Limit your search to the desktop

store:files

Limit your search to Files

store:outlook

Limit your search to Outlook

store:oe

Limit your search to Outlook Express

*.file_extension

Search for a files with a specific extension

kind:everything

Search all file types

kind:communications

Search communication files

kind:contacts

Search contacts

kind:email

Search emails

kind:im

Search instant messaging conversations

kind:meetings

Search meetings

kind:tasks

Search tasks

kind:notes

Search notes

kind:documents

Search documents

kind:text

Search text documents

kind:spreadsheets

Search spreadsheet files

kind:presentations

Search presentation files

kind:music

Search music files

kind:pics

Search picture files

kind:videos

Search video files

kind:folders

Search folders

kind:favorites

Search favorites

kind:programs

Search program files

date:today, date:tomorrow, date:yesterday

Search for items with a specific date

modified:last week

Search for items by modification date

size:>40, size:<40

Search for items by size

File Explorer Search Using Boolean Operators

Keyword 1 NOT keyword 2

Results with keyword 1 but not keyword 2

Keyword 1 OR keyword 2

Results with keyword 1 or keyword 2

Keyword 1

Results with the exact phrase "keyword 1"

(Keyword 1 keyword 2)

Results with keyword 1 and keyword 2 in any order

Search Smarter in Windows 10

With these Windows 10 search shortcuts, you can access various Windows features, find lost files, and also uncover answers to your questions on the internet. If you're still having trouble locating files, check out these free search tools for Windows 10.

Image Credit: Bruce Mars on Unsplash