Windows 10: Refining file searches in WIndows 10

There used to be ways to refine searches in File Explorer AKA Windows Explorer by specifying the file extension, date range, filename, content, etc.


Is there any way to use more sophisticated search options in WIndows 10/Office 365 so it doesn't simply find the word you type anywhere in any file?

:)

 

Grayed out "Refine" search options in File Explorer for W10

Hi John,

To isolate your concern regarding File Explorer, kindly answer the following questions:

• Have you made any changes to your computer prior to the issue?
• Were you able to use the Refine search before?
• Are you logged in as Administrator?

Regards.

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

How to use the 'Refine' option in Windows 10 search

Thanks for replying but that's an answer to a different question. I know how to search for files by extension , what I want to know is how to limit files to specific file types using the 'Refine' option. This Refine option , supposedly, allows you to refine
files by all kinds of predefined types but there is no obvious way to check what the criteria it is using to define what those types are and how to fix it when it doesn't work. The article you referenced would be useful if the search filter criteria was working
, but it isn't so it is no use at all.

So let me ask the question a slightly different way ; the refine option allows you to filter search queries by type , in this case 'films' where do you go to tell Windows Search that a file with the extension mkv is to be treated as a 'film'

thanks