Finding files on your computer

In the previous lesson , we talked about how folders can help to keep your files organized . However, there may be times when you have trouble finding a certain file . If this happens to you, don't panic! The file is probably still on your computer, and there are a few simple ways to find it. In this lesson, we'll show you different techniques you can use to find your files, including searching and looking in common places .

Watch the video below to learn more about finding files in Windows.

Common places to look for files

If you're having a difficult time finding a file, there's a good chance you can find it in one of the following places:

• Downloads : By default, your computer will place downloaded files in a specific folder, known as the Downloads folder. If you're having trouble finding a file you downloaded from the Internet, such as a photo attached to an email message, this is the first place you should look. To view the Downloads folder, open File Explorer , then locate and select Downloads (below Favorites on the left side of the window). A list of your recently downloaded files will appear.
  
• Default folders : If you don't specify a location when saving a file, Windows will place certain types of files into default folders. For example, if you're looking for a Microsoft Word document, you could try looking in the Documents folder. If you're looking for a photo, try looking in the Pictures folder. Most of these folders will be accessible on the left side of the File Explorer window.
  
• Recycle Bin : If you deleted a file by mistake, it may still be in the Recycle Bin. You can double-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop to open it. If you find the file you need, click and drag it back to the desktop or to a different folder.
  

Searching for files

Let's say you recently downloaded a few photos that were attached to an email message, but now you're not sure where these files are on your computer. If you're struggling to find a file, you can always search for it . Searching allows you to look for any file on your computer.

To search for a file (Windows 10):

In the Cortana Search Box next to the Start button, type to search for a file. The search results will appear above the search box.

To search for a file (Windows 8):

Click the Start button to go to the Start screen , then start typing to search for a file. The search results will appear on the right side of the screen. Simply click a file or folder to open it.

To search for a file (Windows 7 and earlier):

Click the Start button , type the file name or keywords with your keyboard, and press Enter . The search results will appear. Simply click a file or folder to open it.

Tips for finding files

If you're still having trouble finding the file you need, here are some additional tips.

• Try different search terms . If you're using the search option, try using different terms in your search. For example, if you're looking for a certain Microsoft Word document, try searching for a few different file names you might have used when saving the document.
• Open the last application used to edit the file. If you know you used a certain application to edit a file, open that application and select File > Open > Recent from the menu. The file may appear in the list of recently edited files.
  
• Move and rename the file after finding it . Once you've located the file, you may want to move it to a related folder so you can find it more easily in the future. For example, if the file is a picture, you might move it to your Pictures folder. You may also want to give it a file name that will be easy to remember. You can review our lesson on Working with Files to learn more about managing files.