How to Find Apps Faster

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated December 7, 2020)

I'm always looking for ways to make myself more efficient on the computer. One way I've found is to speed up how long it takes me to find an app that I want to use. There are many ways to find apps, of course, and probably my favorite way is to press the Windows key and start typing the app name. This is great if the app you're looking for has been indexed so that the Start menu can find it. But what about those apps that don't fit this category?

You can still use the Start menu to find your apps by using a special feature of the Start menu to quickly zero in on the app you want to use. You'll notice that the Windows 10 Start menu is divided into sections, and each section is preceded by a single letter to indicate the names of the apps below that letter: (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The Start menu.

Now that the Start menu is displayed, if you want to launch an app that's near its bottom (for example, an app that would be listed in the "W" section) you don't need to scroll all the way down to find it. You can simply click any letter of a section header—like the "A" above all the Apps that begin with an "A"—and your Start menu will transform to something like an index. (Make sure you click the "A" heading; don't type the letter "A.") (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. The Start menu as an index.

Now you can click the "W" and the traditional Start menu appears, but it has instantly jumped down to the Apps that begin with "W." You can now launch an app in the "W" section like normal, and you didn't have to waste time scrolling through the Start menu to get to it.

 This tip (1213) applies to Windows 10.

Author Bio

Barry Dysert

Barry has been a computer professional for over 35 years, working in different positions such as technical team leader, project manager, and software developer. He is currently a software engineer with an emphasis on developing custom applications under Microsoft Windows. When not working with Windows or writing Tips, Barry is an amateur writer. His first non-fiction book is titled "A Chronological Commentary of Revelation." ...

MORE FROM BARRY

How To Enable Jump Lists

Jump lists are handy time savers. Some consider them a privacy issue, though. Whichever way you see it, this tip shows ...

Discover More

Settings Compared to Control Panel

Windows 10 has moved a lot of the settings previously found in Control Panel to the Settings app. How is the settings app ...

Discover More

Improve Performance by Turning Off 3D Effects

Windows does a lot of nuancing to provide the user with a pleasing visual experience. All this attention to detail, ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Minimizing All Open Windows in One Step

There may be times when you need to minimize all of your open windows in one quick step. Windows provides a few methods ...

Discover More

Share with a Nearby Computer

Have you ever needed to quickly share something with another computer? With Nearby Sharing, part of the Windows 10 April ...

Discover More

Changing the Size of Icons Used by Windows

Microsoft Windows can be highly personalized to suit your needs. This personalization includes the ability to change the ...

Discover More
Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is nine minus 1?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2024 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.