Searching

 Searching 

  Hi guys. ( ´ ▽ ` )ﾉ

  This posting will be about essential shortcuts to utilise Windows 8 and how they work. For context, I will be explaining basic search functionality. What I will do for the visual aids is that I will use an on-screen keyboard to give a visual representation. 

  One of the biggest emphasis of Windows 8 is for the user to easily search for files and programs, however methods to ease your accessibility have not been front page material. Yet it is quite simple.

The most straight forward method is to simply type in your desired search while in the Start Screen and Bing Search will give you results from

a.       Indexed files, folders and programs

b.      Internet searches

The issue comes when PC users use Windows 8 since most of the work is done on the desktop. While one can simple hit the Windows key and do a search from the Start Screen, it is clearly an inconvenient option to choose. This is where the functionality of the Charm Bar comes into play.

Charm Bar Shortcut

Search Function

  Although I explained how to access the Charm Bar in a previous tutorial via the mouse, let me give an alternative method, or a shortcut. Hit < Window + C > on your keyboard and the Search functionality can be found on the top of the bar (as seen in the image below).

Typing into the Start Screen

Type in your desired search and select the option/files that you are looking for (This is from a friend’s computer. I will give a Windows 8.1 tutorial in a future posting with the updated Search features).

Search Options

You can also call the ‘Search’ function directly by hitting the < Windows + S > Keys.

Search Shortcut

  As you can see, you can also Search settings features in this bar, which is useful for the next segment I am about to explain. As I stated, you can search only indexed items. What is indexing? Indexing is simply to place a code/number on a files, folder or program that has been indexed. When a computer is looking for a search item, it will sift through your files to find the desired result(s).  As you continue to use your computer and add folders and programs, you may find that some files cannot be found by the Search function (especially if you have multiple drives). This is largely because that the files have not been indexed and is hence not available by search.

  In order to index your files, you can simply search ‘Indexing Options’ in the Search function as the quickest option. You can also find it in the Control Panel. When in Index Options, select ‘Modify’ and elect the files and locations that you what to index and wait for the indexing process to finish.

Indexing via Search

Indexing via Control Panel

  With that you should be able to maximize your Search and accessibility of your files in Windows 8. For Windows 8.1, I will be doing a Windows 8.1 post in the future to explain the updated features. Please leave feedback in the comments section on how I can improve this blog further. Hope this helps.

╭ (oㅇ‿ o#)ᕗ