how to find a file

how to find a file

It is easy to forget which directory/folder you saved a file in. A file find utility searches directories for a file or category of files.

WINDOWS XP
From the Start menu, select SEARCH, followed by FOR FILES OR FOLDERS. Then, select ALL FILES AND FOLDERS. Type in the name of the file you want to find into "All or part of the file name." Use wild cards to select a group of files; for example, *.exe finds all the .EXE files. Click the "Look in" field and select the drive (C:, D:, etc.) you want to search. Click SEARCH, and all matches are displayed in a results window.

WINDOWS 95/98/NT
From the Start menu, select FIND, then FILES OR FOLDERS. Type in the name of the file you want to find into "Named." Use wild cards to select a group of files; for example, *.exe finds all the .EXE files. Click the "Look in" field and select the drive (C:, D:, etc.) you want to search. Click FIND NOW, and all matches are displayed in a results window.

WINDOWS 3.1
In File Manager, select SEARCH from the FILE menu. Type in the drive letter (C:, D:, etc.) you want to search into "Start From." Type in the name of the file you want to find into "Search For." Use wild cards to select a group of files; for example, *.exe finds all the .EXE files. Click OK, and all matches are displayed in a results window.

DOS
Starting as of DOS 5, the /s switch used with the Dir command searches for file names in all directories. See DOS Dir.