A Few Different Uses for Windows Search

No doubt by now you know how useful Search is for finding files on your computer but did you know you can also use it for other tasks?

Besides searching for missing files, Search also provides you with the quickest way to:

• Open an application
• Find information
• Access Windows 7’s Troubleshooters

Here are just a few additional uses of Search.

Scenario 1       Opening an Application

You want to open an application in a hurry but there’s a problem.

• You haven’t added its icon onto the Taskbar.
• There is no shortcut icon on your Desktop.
• You are uncertain where it is located in All Programs menu.

So, what do you do? Well, luckily you remember its start-up command. Let’s see if Search can help. We’ll use WordPad as the example.

1. Click the Start button and in the Search box, type wordpad.
2. WordPad appears at the top of the Search box under Program.
3. Press the Enter key.
4. WordPad opens.

Scenario 2      Finding Information

Suppose you want information about “fonts”. Search can help you get the necessary information  just as well as Help and Support can. In fact in some ways its even better as it scans for all relevant information on your computer.

1. Click the Start button.
2. In the Search box, type Fonts.
3. Search opens displaying every piece of the information available on your computer. As you can see there are many sources Search has found. Besides finding what you would normally expect, it has also picked three websites where I looked at fonts. Obviously I’d forgotten this, as I must have saved the information. The sites I’m referring to at listed as .mht files.
   

   Search Results window

Note: If you select “See more results” you will find additional sources. In the example below Search has picked up emails and pictures also.

More details after clicking "See more results"

Scenario 3      Access a Troubleshooter

Windows 7′s Troubleshooters can help you in many different situations. Finding the right one can be tedious so let’s use Search to access them. One common problem many users have is with old games software. It worked well under Windows XP but not with Windows 7. This is where a troubleshooter may help.

1. Click the Start button and in the Search box, type troubleshooting.
   
2. In the top of the Search box, you’ll see Troubleshooting.
3. Press the Enter key.
4. The Control Panel opens displaying a list of possible Troubleshooting problems ranging from Programs to System and Security.
   

   Search locates Troubleshooters

5. The top Troubleshooter in the list, “Run programs made for previous versions of Windows” may provide the answer.
6. Select the blue text and click.
   

   Select and Click to open the Troubleshooter

7. When the Troubleshooter commences follow the screen prompts, clicking Next to proceed to the next stage. Hopefully, Windows 7 will provide a solution to your problem.

So there you have it! Search offers many ways to help.