Finding a file on a computer that is running Windows

To locate a file on your computer, follow the appropriate file search procedures for your Windows operating system, described below.

For information on more advanced search techniques, consult your operating system's Help files.

Microsoft Windows 95, 98, or NT

1. On the taskbar, click the Start button, choose Find, and then click Files or Folders.

2. Click the Name & Location tab.

3. In the Named field, enter the name of the file you want.

   • If you do not remember the entire filename, try entering part of the filename.

   • If you only know the filename extension, substitute an asterisk for the filename and include the extension. file handling, files, finding in Windows, . For example, type *.qbw to search for QuickBooks data files or *.doc to search for Microsoft® Word documents.

4. Click the Look in drop-down list arrow and choose the drive name, drive letter, and folder combination where you want to search.

5. Make sure the Include subfolders checkbox is selected and click Find Now to begin the search.

6. Your search results will display in a separate window below the search criteria tabs. file handling, files, finding in Windows, . The directory path to the located file(s) will appear in the In Folder column. file handling, files, finding in Windows, . Be aware that the same filename might appear in multiple directories (folders).

Microsoft Windows Me or 2000

1. On the taskbar, click the Start button, choose Search, and then click Files or Folders.

2. In the Search for files or folders named field, enter the name of the file you want.

   • If you do not remember the entire filename, try entering part of the filename.

   • If you only know the filename extension, substitute an asterisk for the filename and include the extension. file handling, files, finding in Windows, . For example, type *.qbw to search for QuickBooks data files or *.doc to search for Microsoft® Word documents.

3. Click the Look in drop-down list arrow and choose the drive name, drive letter, and folder combination you wish to search in.

4. Click Search Now to begin the search.

5. Your search results will display on the right side of the Search Results window. file handling, files, finding in Windows, . The directory path to the located file(s) will appear in the In Folder column. file handling, files, finding in Windows, . Be aware that the same filename might appear in multiple directories (folders).

Microsoft Windows XP (Home and Professional Editions)

1. On the taskbar, click the Start button and click Search (and click For Files or Folders if using the Classic interface). file handling, files, finding in Windows, . The Search Results window opens with an animated character displayed in the left pane, unless you chose not to have it display the first time you did a search. file handling, files, finding in Windows, . (See your operating system's Help for more information about display options for the animated character.)

2. Click All files and folders in the What do you want to search for? section.

3. In the All or part of the file name field of the Search Companion pane, enter the name of the file you want.

   • If you do not remember the entire filename, try entering part of the filename.

   • If you only know the filename extension, substitute an asterisk for the filename and include the extension. file handling, files, finding in Windows, . For example, type *.qbw to search for QuickBooks data files or *.doc to search for Microsoft® Word documents.

4. Click the Look in drop-down list arrow and choose the drive name, drive letter, and folder combination where you want to search.

5. Click Search.

6. Your search results will display on the right side of the Search Results window. file handling, files, finding in Windows, . The directory path to the located file(s) will appear in the In Folder column. file handling, files, finding in Windows, . Be aware that the same filename might appear in multiple directories (folders).