Start Menu

• One option for running Windows Search is to begin typing immediately after clicking on the Windows Start Menu. Windows Search immediately begins to display items found using the text entered. Like previous versions of Windows search software, Windows Search will return files and folders that match the text types, but additionally, the program will display links to the Control Panel that match the text. Software programs are also found. This enables you to quickly search for applications to run in addition to the files those applications create. As computers get more sophisticated, they accumulate an extensive library of software. Windows Search provides a quicker method for finding and launching these programs than scanning a Program menu as in prior versions of Windows. Additionally, you can quickly find emails or attachments that contain the text without directly interacting with those programs. By integrating the Windows Search functionality as a simple extension of the Start Menu, you can reach deeply into the computer system in a quick, efficient manner.
  
  

Windows Explorer

• As an alternate option, Windows users can run the Windows Search function from within the Windows Explorer, a standard Windows interface dating back to Windows 95. The feature is launched from the Navigation pane in Windows Explorer. In this pane is a section called the Documents Library. A search box appears when the Documents Library is activated. In this view, the search results provide greater context than using the Start Menu. In addition to the search results, excerpts from files containing the searched text will appear. This interface speeds up the process for quickly finding desired documents. In prior versions of Windows, searching for text merely resulted in file names. Each file would have to be opened to determine its content. Windows Search obviates this chore and should get you to their desired content more quickly.
  
  

Filters

• A nice option available in Windows Search is the ability to filter search results using convenient drop-down menus. Click the search box itself and a list of filters appears beneath it. They are tailored to the type of content used by the window you have open. A Music Library window will provide quick filters for searching music based on genre, song length, album and artist criteria.