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Windows 9X Tips — Find Files or Folders
by John S. Krill—NOCCC http://www.geocities.com/windowsassistance - February 22, 2001 at 13:10:19:
Find Files or Folders—I’ve stopped being surprised by how many users can’t find files on their computer. Many need to open the application that created the file and hope that they can locate it. To use Windows Explorer to move, delete, or copy files is foreign to them. There is a straightforward method to find files or folders and then delete, move, copy, etc. Press the F3 key or if you are working in an application press [Windows Key + F]. Putting something into the brackets means to hold down both keys at the same time—(the + sign is not pressed. Try it. You should see a window with the title Find: All Files. Now lets go find those files.Our goal is to find the missing file. To aid the search insert as much information as possible. If only part of the name is known then input as much as possible. Use the fill characters to complete a name. The most common one is the ‘*’ character. For example ‘noc*.doc’ will find all files whose name starts with ‘noc’ and with a file extension of ‘doc’. If you know what was in the file, text wise, then input this information into the ‘Containing Text:’ field. The ‘Look in:’ field will tell Find where to start the search.
What Is A File Extension?—A file extension is the three or four characters that follow the last ‘period’ in a name. If you do not know what this is then not to worry. Just click on the ‘Advanced’ tab and in the ‘Of Type’ field is a drop-down list of all the file types that Windows knows about. The file type you are looking for is most probably in this list.
Also in the Advanced view you can narrow down the search by size estimation. Who ever knew the file size?
What Date Is It?—You can also narrow the search to specific dates. Go to the ‘Date’ tab and provide as much information as possible.
The Big Find Tip—Up until recently I, like millions of Windows users, rarely used the Find utility. Then I found out about the Save capabilities of Find. Let me give an example.
I spend a good deal of time on the Web searching for articles dealing with Windows. When I find one I usually download the Web page to my computer using Netscape Composer. Now I can read the page at leisure. The problem becomes finding the right page and doing it quickly. Using Windows Explorer involves wading through everything in a folder. Instead, I use Find to locate the HTM files and only the HTM files. I can then save the search for future use. I can even save the search with the results. You’re now saying ‘He can do what?’ Here’s the way it’s done.
First use Find to locate whatever it is for which you are searching. If you want to save the search criteria go to the ‘File’ menu and select ‘Save Search.’ Find will put a shortcut for the search onto your desktop. Now every time you want to find those files you just click on the shortcut and then press the ‘Find Now’ button. Done!
The window that displays the files and folders found is no different from the Windows Explorer window. You can copy, move, and delete files and folders. You can also sort by name, type, date, etc. just as in Windows Explorer.
You can also save the search with the results. Go to the ‘Options’ menu for Find and check ‘Save Results.’ Every time you save a search the results will be saved also.
The Small Find Tip—Using the [Windows Key + F] will always activate Find. If you are using Windows Explorer and you go to Find then Find will open with the ‘Look In:’ field showing the current directory path in Windows Explorer. Note: James Smith, the Windows SIG leader, tried to point out the advantages of [Windows Key + F] over using just the F3 key but I wouldn’t listen. Well he’s right. [Windows Key + F] will work no matter what you are doing. F3 only works in certain conditions. Sorry James.
It’s Called Search Files or Folders in Windows Me and Windows 2000 Professional
With these OS’s Find becomes Search and it has been enhanced. There is an excellent explanation of Search in the book: Windows Me: The Missing Manual. If you go to the O’Reilly web site and search for the book, you will be able to download chapter 2. It is in PDF format. You will need the Acrobat reader. Even Windows 9X users can get much from this chapter. (This is where I found out about Find Save Search.)
The Best Accessory In The Computer Universe — I plug this device whenever I can. It is the most efficient way to get around a graphical universe. It is the “Wacom’s Graphire 4x5” graphics tablet with pen, wireless scrolling mouse and software bundle: $99. Available with serial or USB interface.
Web Sites — O’Reilly & Assoc.: http://windows.oreilly.com/
Window Me: the Missing Manual: www.ora.com/catalog/winmemm/noframes.html
Wacom: www.wacom.com
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