Searching in Windows 10

Windows 10 Search bar Anything from Anywhere


Searching for items and information on computers and the internet has come a long way since the first search engines on the web. Most computer operating systems now have sophisticated search facilities for finding things on your own computer as well as searching over the web. They also now have Personal Digital Assistants, which are voice-activated search functions, which can be used instead of typing search requests.

Windows 10 has a search box built-in to the Taskbar, which also includes the Personal Digital Assistant, Cortana. This can also be used for a wide range of voice-activated tasks.

Using the Search box for text searching

To use the Search box for text-only searches, over either your computer or the web:

1. Click in the Search box.

2. Enter a search term (or website address)


Hot tip:

The top search result is displayed at the top of the window in Step 2.


3. Click on one of the results, or on the Search the web button, to view the search results page in the Microsoft Edge browser

👉Read also: How to Use the Settings App in Windows 10

search-the-web-search-box


Asking a question

The Search box can also be used to ask specific questions:


1. Enter a question in the Search box 

2. Click on the Search the web button at the top of the Search box to view the results in the Microsoft Edge browser (in some instances, the answer will be displayed at the top of the Cortana Search box too) 


Don't forget:

The magnifying glass icon indicates that a search is going to be undertaken on the web and this will be displayed on search results.


Searching over your computer 

As well as searching over the web, the Search box can also be used to find items on your computer:

  • Enter a search query into the Search box and click on one of the results to open the item on your computer


Hot tip:

If you are searching for a keyword over files on your computer, the search will be conducted over the text in documents and folders, not just the document titles. It will also search over the online backup and storage facility, OneDrive if you have this setup.