Limiting Windows 11 Desktop Search: File Names or File Contents?

Limiting Windows 11 Desktop Search: File Names vs File Contents

Searching for files on a Windows 11 desktop can be a time-consuming task, especially when dealing with a large number of files. By default, Windows 11 desktop search includes both file names and file contents in the search results. However, sometimes users may want to limit the search to only file names or only file contents. This article will explain how to limit Windows 11 desktop search to file names only, and how to search file contents only.

Searching File Names Only

To limit the search to file names only, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Windows icon on the taskbar to open the Start menu.
2. Type the name of the file you are looking for in the search box.
3. Click on the "Files" tab at the top of the Start menu.
4. In the search results, click on the "File name" tab at the top of the window.

This will display a list of files that match the name you typed in the search box. The search results will only include file names, and not the contents of the files.

Searching File Contents Only

To limit the search to file contents only, follow these steps:

1. Click on the Windows icon on the taskbar to open the Start menu.
2. Type the content you are looking for in the search box.
3. Click on the "Files" tab at the top of the Start menu.
4. In the search results, click on the "File contents" tab at the top of the window.

This will display a list of files that contain the content you typed in the search box. The search results will only include file contents, and not the names of the files.

Advanced Search Options

For more advanced search options, you can use the Windows 11 search bar located on the taskbar. Here, you can use the following operators to refine your search:

• filename: - Searches for files with a specific name
• content: - Searches for files with specific content
• type: - Searches for files of a specific type (e.g. type:pdf)
• size: - Searches for files of a specific size (e.g. size:>10MB)
• date: - Searches for files modified within a specific date range (e.g. date:this week)

Limiting Windows 11 desktop search to file names or file contents only can help users find the files they need more quickly and efficiently. By following the steps outlined in this article, users can easily limit their searches to file names or file contents, and use advanced search options to further refine their searches.

References

• Microsoft Support: Search for files and folders in Windows
• Windows Central: How to search for specific file types in Windows 10
• GroovyPost: How to Limit Windows 10 Search to File Names or File Contents