How to find a file on a Windows 7 computer: step-by-step instructions, features, and recommendations

Many novice users are interested in how to find a file on a computer. Windows 7 or any other operating system is not so important. The principle of searching for documents on a computer is approximately the same. Especially when it comes to the Windows platform. In general, there are quite a few options for action. All of them are very simple. But you will have to not only study them, but also to understand some features of the search. So how to find a file and folders in Windows 7? What does the user need to know about this process? Perhaps this procedure is subject to even those who are not even familiar with the computer.

About Search

The first thing you should pay attention to is that the search in "Windows" is carried out, as a rule, without additional software. This is a standard feature that is available on all operating systems. You don’t have to download additional programs that help you find information on your PC.

How to find a file on a computer? Windows 7 or any other version of the operating system is not so important. You must understand that the process is extremely simple. It is enough to know the name of the file or folder that you want to find. And do not succumb to offers on the Web, which supposedly allow you to quickly search for information on your computer. It has already been said - no additional programs are needed for this!

Location Address

How to search for files in Windows 7? As soon as the data reaches the computer, they are assigned a special address. It is on it that information is searched. All documents in the operating system have a similar component. There are no files without an address on the computer.

Usually it consists of the name of the partition of the hard disk on which the document is located, then the path to the desired object is indicated. It consists of folders. For example: C: / Windows / system32 / drivers / etc / host /.

Accordingly, the host document is located in the etc folder, which is located in the drivers. That, in turn, is located in a folder called "systems32", located in Windows on the partition of hard drive C. If you know the exact location of the document, you can quickly find it. That is why some recommend finding out the address of a folder or file. It can be used in the future. But more on that later. First you need to figure out how to find the file on your computer (Windows 7).

Manually

The first method is well suited when either the location of the document is known, or there is simply not the slightest idea of ​​exactly how the subject of the search is called correctly. We are talking about self-discovery of a document in the operating system. It is enough to simply study the files and folders on the computer, think about where exactly this or that document can be located. This method is called the "spear method". Extremely unstable. But if the user is at least approximately aware of where this or that information can be stored, such a solution can help.

If you know the exact location address, you can simply click on it. On the computer, the user searches for the section of the hard disk he needs and the folder in which the document is located. Next is the discovery of the latter. Inside, a specific file is manually searched.

Exact transition to the address

But this is only the first scenario. In practice, it is not so often used if the user is not sure about the location of the document. How to find a file on a computer? Windows 7 offers one tricky and interesting trick. It is only suitable when the exact location of the document is known.

It is not necessary to manually open all the folders in which the file is attached. If you have the exact location address, you can quickly open the source of the document. To do this, it is best to open the "Libraries". Next, copy the file address into the address bar and press Enter. This will open the folder in which this or that document or the next daddy is attached.

That is, when you want to find host, you need to copy the inscription "C: /..../ etc" into the address bar. Then the etc folder will open, in which you already need to manually find the desired document. Nothing difficult or special. But so far, situations have been examined in which the address is either exactly known or approximately known about it. What if there is no such information?

Via Start

How to find files on a Windows computer (XP, 7, 8, 10 - this is not so important)? In general, you need to use the standard function of the operating system. It’s called “Search”. It is enough to know the name of the document to be found.

The first way to get real quick searches is by using the Start panel. How does the idea come to life with this opportunity? The user must adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

1. Click on the "Start" button in the left corner of the screen. A small menu will open.
2. At the bottom of the service there is an empty field with a magnifying glass. On some operating systems there is the inscription "Find programs and files." It is required to click there once with the left mouse button.
3. A slider cursor will appear. In the field, type the name of the file, program or folder.
4. Press Enter and wait for the results.

Nothing more is needed. A few seconds of waiting - and the results appear on the monitor. Perhaps the use of "Start" is the most common option. But there are other ways. Search for files on a computer in Windows 7 is carried out by different methods.

Through additional windows

You can implement the idea within a specific folder. This is not as difficult as it seems. Typically, the method helps when the user knows the approximate location of the document.

It is required to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:

1. Open the root folder where the document can be located.
2. In the upper right corner find the field with the image of a magnifying glass.
3. Type the address or name of the document.
4. View the search results.

In the example with the host file, the situation will look like this: the user opens the C drive partition, then in the explorer finds the inscription "Search: Local drive (C :)". In this field, you need to write host and wait until all documents that contain this word are found. Next, among the entire list, a specific document is manually searched.

Filters

But that is not all. How to quickly find a file on a computer? Windows 7 or any other version of Windows is not so important. In any case, when it comes to newer types of Windows. You can use one trick. She will help among the results to quickly find what you need. The method is based on the previous method. It is about specifying search parameters.

The fact is that if you do not use filters, you will often have to look through a lot of documents and folders when searching. It’s clear how to find the file on the computer. How to find the right one among the search results?

In this situation, it is proposed:

1. Search in a particular folder.
2. Click on the search bar in the upper right corner of the window.
3. Mark the necessary filters and set their parameters. In this case, the name of the file or folder does not need to be erased. For example, you can select a document type. In the case of host, this is .txt.
4. Press Enter and again look at the displayed results.

Accordingly, all documents and files that meet all the search parameters will appear on the screen. This is how the implementation of the built-in Windows function for quickly detecting the necessary software is implemented.

Search service

Now it’s clear how to find the file on the computer (Windows 7). But there is another scenario. You can call a separate search service on the computer. To do this, press a specific key combination. Then it will scan and search the entire operating system.

When using the standard function, you can adhere to the algorithm:

1. Click on Win + F. A window opens with a bluish background. This is the standard Windows search engine.
2. The name of the file or folder is typed into the search bar (upper right corner, field with the image of a magnifying glass).
3. The user must press Enter and wait for the results. You can work with search filters in advance. This will reduce the output.

By content

There is another last trick. It is called "search inside files and folders in Windows 7". Many users are familiar with it. To bring it to life, you need:

1. Open this or that document / folder.
2. Press Ctrl + F.
3. In the field that appears on the right side of the screen, type the name of the document / folder / word.
4. Press "Enter".

A similar method is often used when working with Word. It not only helps to search for data by text, but also helps to search for documents.