Finding Files You Thought Were Lost

Windows contains a powerful search agent to look for those lost treasures. Follow these steps to find your lost files.

1. Click Start
2. Click Find
3. Click Files or Folders
4. In the Named box, type any part of the file name you lost
5. Make sure that the Look In box says My Computer and the box is checked to include Subfolders
6. Click on Find Now
7. The results will appear below the find box

NOTE: When you find your file, before opening it, make a note of where it is saved by looking at its location in the In Folder column.

If you don’t remember the name of the file you lost, but remember approximately ‘when’ you created it then try this technique

1. Click Start –>Find –> Files or Folders
2. Click the Date tab
3. Click the between option
4. Choose a date range, in the boxes provided
5. Click Find now

NOTE: Make sure that you haven’t entered anything in on the first tab in the named box and the Look in box should say My Computer with the Include Subfolders box checked.

NOTE ALSO: When you find your file, before opening it, make a note of where it is saved by looking at its location in the In Folder column.

Ok, you don’t remember the name of the file nor the date it was created, BUT you do know the topic of the document. Even with this piece of information, your chances of search success remain positive. Follow these steps to find your ‘lost’ file:

1. Click Start –> Search  (Find–>Files or Folders in Windows 98)
2. Type the topic or key word you remember in the “A word or phrase… (“Containing Text” box in Windows 98)
3. Keep the File Name box blank and make sure the “Look in” box says “My Computer” with the Include Subfolders box checked.
4. Click Search or Find

That should do it. Now you have three excellent tools for keeping track of those wandering files!