How to Search for Text in Files on Windows

This updated guide examines How to Search for Text in Files on Windows and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 2:

Searching for Documents Containing Certain Text

1. Press?Win+S. This opens the Windows Search box.
2. Typeindexing options. A list of matching results will appear.
3. ClickIndexing Options. It should be the first result in the list (and it may be the only result).
4. ClickAdvanced. It's the button at the bottom of the window. Depending on your settings, you may also be asked to confirm the action or enter your administrator password.
5. Click theFile Typestab. It's near the top of the window. A list of file types on your computer will appear.
6. SelectIndex Properties and File Contents. It's the second radio button beneath the list of file types.
7. ClickOK. Windows will now begin to index the text within your documents instead of just their titles. Now that you've made this change, you can search for a file by typing some of the words it contains.
8. Press?Win+S. This opens the search box. Now you'll try searching for a file based on some of its text.
   • You can also search using the File Explorer (which you can launch by pressing?Win+E). Just type your search criteria into the search bar at the top-right corner of the window.
9. Type your search criteria and press?Enter. Windows will return a list of files that contain the text you entered.
   • This tool will only return exact matches. Make sure all spaces and symbols are in the correct places, and that you've made no spelling mistakes.
10. Double-click the file to open it. The file should open in its default application, such as Microsoft Word or Notepad.
    • See this method to learn how to search the currently-open document for a string of text.

Method 2of 2:

Searching for Text in an Open Document

1. Open your document in its default application. This method should work for the majority of text/word processing applications, including Microsoft Word and Notepad.
2. PressCtrl+F. This opens the Find or Find and Replace dialog.
3. Enter the text you want to find. Be specific—this tool will only return exact matches. Make sure all spaces and symbols are in the correct places, and that you've made no spelling mistakes.
4. Press?Enter. The application should now display the text you searched for highlighted in a different color. If no matching text is found, you'll see a message that says something like 'The search item was not found.'