Windows Search CompanionThe Windows Search Companion can help you locate any files, folders, photos, or music files that you have misplaced or accidentally moved on your Windows XP system. It happens, we all lose things periodically. That goes for computer files and folders as well. It's easy to do when you're trying to save something to your computer and maybe you fail to pay attention when the "Save To.." window appears and we click "Save" without seeing where the item is going. Or, you may be trying to "move" a folder or file, and during the part where you are dragging the mouse over to the new location, you get stuck or stumble and the file disappears! It went somewhere, but you don't know where! That's when the Windows Search companion can come in handy, since your only other alternative is to search each folder manually. So let's take a look at the Search Companion from Windows Explorer. Hold down the "Windows" key (the one with the icon that looks like the wavy Windows logo) and hit the letter "E". Windows Explorer will open with the familiar folder tree in the left pane, and maybe some files and folders in the right pane. To bring up the Windows Search Companion simply click on the "Search" button in the menu bar at the top of the window. It has a rather large magnifying glass icon on it. Doing this will change the left pane of Windows Explorer from the folder tree to the Search Companion as shown below.
Your first choice is "Pictures, music, or video". If you choose this search option you'll be taken to another screen where you can choose to search for all three of these items or select one or two. Once you have chosen the types of files to search for, you can then enter all or part of a file name to narrow your search even further. This will speed up the search.
The next search option choice is "Documents (Word processing, spreadsheets, etc.)" which is self explanatory. Clicking on this option will take you to a more advanced search window where you can select specific options such as when the document was last modified. This could be the day it was created or the last time you made any changes and saved them. You can also enter all or part of the document name if you know it. There is also an advanced search option just like the one we discussed previously.
A file extension identifies which format the file was created in. For example, a ".doc" extension would show that the file is a Microsoft Word document. An ".xls" extension is used for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets, and a ".jpg" extension identifies a digital photo. The last option on the main search window is "Computers or People". Computers would refer to other computers connected on your home or work network, whereas People would refer to people saved in your "Address Book". "Windows Address Book" is a feature of Microsoft Windows that lets users keep a single list of contacts that can be shared by other programs. It's sort of like a computer version of your personal book of phone numbers. Home users who use Outlook Express for their e-mail will be familiar with the Address Book. You've probably noticed already but in case you haven't, their is an animated character at the bottom of the search column. The default character is Rover the dog. Most savvy users agree that Merlin the Wizard provides the best tricks of all the animated characters.
So the next time you misplace a file, let the Windows Search Companion help you find it. Return From Windows Search Companion to Computer Basics
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