How To: Use Windows search in Windows 8.1, Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016

The Windows search feature provides the fastest way to search for apps, files and settings. This article describes how to use Windows search in Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016.

Windows 8.1 and Windows 10

Step-by-step guide

The steps are as follows:

1. Press the Windows  key on your keyboard or click on the Windows button on the bottom left of your windows desktop. The Start menu opens.

   You can also click on the Search button (or use the shortcut keys Windows+S) beside the Windows button on the bottom left of your windows desktop.

2. The search bar is available at the bottom of the window that is opened.
   
   
3. Type a few characters of your search and the best matches will be displayed.

Windows Server 2016

Step-by-step guide

The steps are as follows:

1. Press the Windows  key on your keyboard or click on the Windows button on the bottom left of your windows desktop. The Start menu opens.

   You can also use the shortcut keys Windows+S to open Windows search.

2. Now click on the Search button and type a few characters to initiate the search.
   

   Generally, the Start menu searches everywhere it can (since Everywhere remains selected by default) but If you want to narrow down the search then click on the drop-down and select the required location to search.

   The available options are: Everywhere, Settings and Files.