Do you really know how to use search? Detailed Windows 7 built-in search

Foreword: Need to install third-party search tools in Win7? Is Win7 built-in search reliable? In addition to searching for documents, Win7 search can search for file formats that users don't know well, such as Win7 theme ".themepack", etc.? What are the skills of Win7 search? This article is one of the answers for everyone ……

Remember that in the XP era, third-party search tools were very popular. However, with the rise of new generation operating systems such as Vista and Win7, built-in search has gradually replaced third-party tools. Of course, for many ordinary users, it takes a lot of skill to use this search for Windows7.

1. Program Search

The Start Menu Search is the most familiar to everyone, which is probably related to Microsoft's always setting the search box here. Compared with the standard search tool, the start menu search is more inclined to look up the program, control panel, Win7 gadget, that is, when we need a control panel item, do not have to go to the panel layer to find it, enter it into the start menu This is the easiest way.
Fig. 1 Start menu search results

In addition, the start menu can also search for files directly, but only for files added to the index. In other words, here is a streamlined search bar that provides the most comprehensive variety possible, but not enhanced on a particular search. At the same time, the Start menu will also categorize the results by default, allowing users to click “View more results> to see the full list. The search results can also be changed in real time according to the keyword. For example, if you enter a “3” on the previous basis, the search results will be more accurate.
Fig. 2 Instant Search

2. Program Run

In addition to being used as a search tool, the Start menu can also be used as a run box. For example, we can input some common things like Ping. It is also very convenient to use commands to find and start a Win7 gadget (supporting Chinese and English).
Figure 3 can be used as "running bar"

3. File Search

The purpose of the window search bar is clearer than the start menu search. , that is to search all files under the current location (including subfolders). Compared with the start menu search, the window search bar has a distinct difference, that is, the keyword position is highlighted (highlighted) in the result list. With this function, we can find the match more intuitively. At the same time, Win7 search also supports file content search, which is also evident from the figure.
Figure 4 File Search Bar

Unlike the Start Menu search, Window Search can find files that are not included in the index, but only slightly slower.

4. Narrow your search

If you feel that your search results are too numerous, you can use filters to narrow your scope. In general, the "library" filter is rich, and the range of options includes "author" "author", "type", "modified date", "size"size","name”, “album”,"artist”,"photographing date", "folder path", "grouping" The method of use is relatively simple, just click on the filter and enter the appropriate conditions. But if it's just a normal folder, then only the "edit date" and "size" & rdquo; two optional!
Figure 5 Narrowing the scope by filter

In addition to the filter, the search bar also supports some special operators, such as “+”,“space”,“or”,“ NOT” or “>” (or “<”). For example, “+” (such as “a+b”) means searching for files that are linked to a and b. "Space" is a file containing a and b, “or” A file that includes both a and b, “NOT” is a file containing a but not b, <;>” (or “<”) is a file with a condition greater or less than a certain value ( For example, "size" 300k”), in short, we can combine any number of search conditions (ie, combined search) by operators, or as a deepening of the filter.
Fig. 6 Operator
5. Expand search

In addition to narrowing the scope with filters, sometimes we will expand the search scope. The so-called "fuzzy search" is such an application. To achieve "blurred search", it is generally necessary to pass wildcards, and the symbols are also known to everyone, that is, “*” and “? ”. The simplest example is to search for all MP3 files (using “*.mp3”), and “? ” represents only one letter (or number) in a certain location, such as "windows? file" can be used to find "windows7file" and "windows8file".
Figure 7 Wildcard Search

6. Preview is also a search

In addition to the above search, we often overlook another accessibility function —— file preview. Generally speaking, you can get used to using file names to distinguish between different files (so-called search is based on a file name), but when some file names do not reflect the contents of the file (such as a group of pictures with similar names), The meaning of the above search is not great. At this time, we may click on the preview panel switch at the far right of the toolbar, and then click on the corresponding file after launching. At this time, the content of the image and the document (except for encryption) can be seen at a glance.
Figure 8 Preview "look & rdquo; effect
7. Find can also be classified

Generally speaking, we will directly think of the first few, but few people will pay attention to it. The famous hall inside the window. In fact, in the resource management window of Win7, there is also a very convenient "lookup" function, which we call "grouping by".
Figure 9 & ldquo; group by & rdquo; have you used?

For example, if there are a large number of group images, you need a special way to distinguish them. This approach has neither file name features nor content features (previews), but rather depends on other properties. Then we can right-click the mouse and distinguish it by the grouping by rdquo;. The grouped data can be automatically changed according to the file type. For example, the document file is the “name”, “, date”, “type”, “and size”, “and” flag, and the song file will become “ld”. Artists participating in the creation & rdquo;, & nbsp; albums & rdquo;, " name & rdquo;, & ldquo; title & rdquo; and so on.
Fig. 10 Custom attribute collection

In addition to these general attributes, we can also match the attribute collection by the “More ……” buttons below the menu, such as “Camera&rdquo ;, & ldquo; focal length & rdquo;, & ldquo; white balance & rdquo; of course, the premise is that your file preferably has these attributes.
Figure 11 Drop-down menu screening

In addition, we can also select a group of classification modes through the title bar drop-down arrow. The effect is similar to the grouping by rdquo; but the unselected files will no longer be displayed, temporarily entering the hidden state, belonging to a filtered display. In addition, "date", "type", etc. can also be used for such screening.

8. The most user-friendly "natural language search"

This feature is estimated that many people have not noticed, that is, in the folder option "search" & rdquo; → Under the “Search Method” panel, there is a “Use Natural Language Search” function. So what does this mean? Let's do one of the following small experiments.
Fig. 12 "Use natural language search" option

For example, if you want to find some articles written by Jim and contain the keywords ""win8”, of course, there are a lot of them, we need to find it by means of search. So how do you check it? Very simple, with the knowledge just learned, we can fill in keywords & ldquo in the upper right corner of the window; win8 & rdquo ;, then the method by adding filters, narrow your search to & ldquo; Author: jim & rdquo ;. However, if the natural language search is turned on, the whole operation becomes much simpler, and directly enter the “jim”win8 author jim” Of course, the same example can also be used in the "mail today" & rdquo;, & ldquo; document this year & rdquo; and other searches.
Fig. 13 Natural language search example

9. Search can also be "save" <;Save”

In addition, the search can be saved, of course, Win7 will not be stupid enough to just save the search results there. What is the difference between copying files together? In fact, what Win7 saves is just a search keyword, so the result can be changed at any time. This means that when a new file is added, the saved search can also be found. Needless to say, this feature can help you a lot!
Fig. 14 Saved search

Postscript

In Windows 7, search can be said to be a soul module throughout. It is precisely because of the fast search throughout the operating system that file search and management has entered a new era. Don't look at the cold strips in front of us, but there are a lot of deep meaning behind the strips. After understanding and familiarizing with these search techniques, you will be able to make your use more effective!