To search for files in Windows 10, select Search on the taskbar and enter a file name or a word from a document. For more control over where Windows looks, open File Explorer, select a folder—or This PC to search more broadly—and use the search box. If you’re wondering, “How do I find a file if I don’t know which folder it’s in?”, start with taskbar Search or search This PC.
Choose where to search
| Starting point | Best for | Search scope |
|---|---|---|
| Taskbar Search | A quick search by file name or document keyword | Can show results from the PC and OneDrive; available filters can narrow results to documents. Cloud results depend on the account and content-search setup. |
| File Explorer | Searching a particular folder or deliberately broadening the search | Searches the selected folder, or search This PC for a wider search that may take longer. |
Windows Search can combine local and cloud-related results, but those scopes are not identical. A search of a local File Explorer folder does not automatically mean the same thing as a search that includes OneDrive.
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Search from the taskbar
- Select Search on the taskbar. If the Search box is visible, you can select it directly.
- Type the file name, or a distinctive word or phrase from a document.
- Review the results. If available, use the result filters to narrow the list to documents.
This is a convenient first try when you are unsure where a file is saved. If the result does not appear, use File Explorer to check a specific location or broaden the search.
Search in File Explorer
- Open File Explorer.
- Select the folder where you expect the file to be—for example, Documents—then enter a name or keyword in the search box.
- If you do not know the folder, select This PC in the navigation pane and enter the search term in the search box.
Starting in a likely folder keeps the search focused. Searching This PC casts a wider net and can take longer, particularly when Windows needs to search locations that are not already indexed.
#1 Best Overall
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
Find files by extension when you do not know the name
Use an asterisk followed by the extension in File Explorer’s search box to find files of a particular type. For example, *.doc searches for .doc files and *.mp3 searches for .mp3 files. Microsoft gives these as examples in its guidance for finding lost files. If you know the file might be a newer Word document, you can try its likely extension as well.
Search for words inside a document
A search for a phrase inside a file depends on content indexing. Windows can index file names, paths, and properties; when the location and file type are configured to include contents, it can also index text within supported files. If indexing is set to properties only, a file-name search may work while a search for words in the document does not.
Rank #2
- Reliable Plug and Play: The USB receiver provides a reliable wireless connection up to 33 ft (1), so you can forget about drop-outs and delays and you can take it wherever you use your computer
- Type in Comfort: The design of this keyboard creates a comfortable typing experience thanks to the low-profile, quiet keys and standard layout with full-size F-keys, number pad, and arrow keys
- Durable and Resilient: This full-size wireless keyboard features a spill-resistant design (2), durable keys and sturdy tilt legs with adjustable height
- Long Battery Life: MK270 combo features a 36-month keyboard and 12-month mouse battery life (3), along with on/off switches allowing you to go months without the hassle of changing batteries
- Easy to Use: This wireless keyboard and mouse combo features 8 multimedia hotkeys for instant access to the Internet, email, play/pause, and volume so you can easily check out your favorite sites
Check Windows 10 indexing settings
In Windows 10, open Settings > Search > Searching Windows to review search coverage. Labels can vary by update or build. Microsoft’s current indexing guidance may show a newer Settings path, so the labels on your Windows 10 PC may not match that page exactly.
Windows offers two indexing modes:
- Classic: Indexes common user folders such as Documents, Pictures, Music, and the desktop by default. You can customize which locations are indexed.
- Enhanced: Indexes the whole PC, including user folders and files. Broader coverage may use more system resources and affect battery life.
Microsoft says building an initial index can take up to a couple of hours. Afterward, Windows updates the index in the background as data changes. A location or mode you have just enabled may not return every expected result straight away. See Microsoft’s Windows Search indexing guidance for more on indexed locations and content.
Rank #3
- Dependable wireless connection: Enjoy the reliability and convenience of 2.4 GHz connectivity with your logitech wireless keyboard and mouse combo, wireless range up to 10 meters away at home, or work.
- Full-Size Wireless Keyboard: Comfortable, quiet typing on a familiar keyboard layout with palm rest, spill-resistant design, and media keys. This wireless keyboard and mouse logitech has easy-access to media keys
- Plug and Play: MK345 works seamlessly with Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS. Experience hassle-free setup with the logitech mk345 wireless combo and wireless keyboard mouse combo for various operating systems.
- Long-lasting Battery: The MK345 combo offers a full size keyboard battery life of up to 3 years and a mouse battery life of 18 months (1); batteries included
- Comfortable Right-handed Mouse: This wireless USB mouse with dongle works well for this wireless mouse and keyboard combo, featuring a contoured shape for all-day comfort and smooth, precise tracking and scrolling for easier navigation.
If a file does not appear in search
- Check the search location: Search the folder where the file is likely to be. If that fails, try This PC.
- Try a file-type search: Enter a pattern such as
*.docor*.mp3if you know the type but not the name. - For a phrase inside a file, check content indexing: Confirm the location is indexed and that the file type is set to include contents rather than properties only.
- Allow time for a new index: Microsoft says an initial indexing process can take up to a couple of hours.
- Check whether the file is hidden: Review File Explorer’s hidden and system file visibility settings; Microsoft includes this check in its missing-file guidance.
- Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter: Open Advanced indexing options and use the Search and Indexing troubleshooter if search still fails. The exact route or label can differ between Windows 10 builds.
Windows 10 support status
Windows 10 support ended on October 14, 2025. Microsoft states: “After October 14, 2025, Microsoft will no longer provide free software updates from Windows Update, technical assistance, or security fixes for Windows 10.” See Microsoft’s file-finding support page for that notice.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 【Lag-free & Efficient】Stable and reliable connection of wireless keyboard and mouse is up to 10m(33ft). This combo share a nano USB receiver, no need to take up additional USB ports (Also the wireless keyboard and mouse can also be used separately). Plug and play, no software needed,convenient and efficient.
- 【Quiet & Type in Comfort】Wireless keyboard come with adjustable height tilt legs to increase comfort and prevent your wrists injury when typing for a long time.Our wireless keyboard adopts a silent structure. Soft membrane keys provide a quiet and comfortable typing experience.The wireless mouse is quiet without any clicking sound also.So whether at home or in the office, you can use this combo as you please without worrying about disturbing others.
- 【Full Size Keyboard】This keyboard saves desktop space while retaining its full size.The full size wireless keyboard with numeric keypad and 12 multimedia shortcut keys, such as play/ pause, volume increase and decrease, and search, to help you improve work efficiency.
- 【Auto Power Saving Function】Wireless keyboard and mouse have a smart auto-sleep mode to save power for long battery life. They will enter sleep mode after stop using a while(Refer to the instructions for details). Unplug the receiver or after the PC shutdown, they will enter sleep mode too.You can press any keys to wake. (battery life may vary based on user and computing conditions)
- 【Comfortable Optical Mouse】This silent wireless mice provides 3 adjustable DPI (800/1200/1600) to meet your different needs in terms of sensitivity.The compact lightweight design of wireless mouse and a hand-friendly contoured shape for all-day comfort, and smooth, precise tracking. Very suitable for office and daily use.
Rank #4
- 【Ultra-Slim & Travel-Friendly】Designed for professionals, students, and remote workers, this compact mini wireless keyboard and mouse combo (NOT full-size keyboard) features an ultra-slim and lightweight design that fits easily into laptop bags and backpacks. Please note: If you prefer a full-size keyboard or have larger hands, this compact size may not be suitable for you. Built for travel, coffee shops, home offices, dorm rooms, and compact workspaces, it helps create a comfortable and productive setup wherever you work
- 【Smooth, Quiet & Comfortable Typing】The responsive scissor-switch keys are shaped to match your fingertips, delivering a smooth, comfortable, and accurate typing experience. Combined with ultra-quiet keyboard keys and silent mouse clicks, this wireless combo helps reduce distractions and supports focused work, studying, and everyday productivity
- 【Stable 2.4GHz Wireless Connection 】Enjoy reliable plug-and-play performance with a stable 2.4GHz wireless connection up to 49 ft. The keyboard and mouse share one nano USB receiver, helping reduce desk clutter while providing responsive and uninterrupted control for laptops, desktop PCs, and home office setups. The receiver can be conveniently stored inside the mouse battery compartment when not in use. Please confirm your device has a USB-A port before purchasing, as this combo does NOT support Bluetooth
- 【Energy-Saving & Battery-Powered Long-Lasting Performance】The wireless keyboard and mouse automatically enter sleep mode when inactive to help conserve battery power and extend usage time. Simply press any key or click the mouse to wake them instantly, supporting daily work, studying, and business travel. This combo requires 4 AAA batteries in total (2 for the keyboard + 2 for the mouse). Batteries are NOT included
- 【12 Convenient Multimedia Hotkeys】Access volume control, music playback, email, web browsing, and more with 12 multimedia shortcut keys designed to streamline everyday tasks and improve workflow efficiency. (Multimedia shortcut functions are not fully compatible with Mac OS.)
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