Saving a Windows Search

Written by Barry Dysert (last updated May 1, 2017)

2

The Search feature built into Windows Explorer and File Explorer can be a good way to find files that contain a given string or files with names that contain a particular string. If you perform the same search frequently, you can save the search to improve your efficiency. For example, say that I want to locate all the XLSX (Excel) files on my system. I would display the Windows Explorer or File Explorer window, type XLSX in the search box in the upper-right corner of the window, and press Enter. Now, the Explorer window contains the file names that match my search string. (See Figure 1.)

Figure 1. The results of a Windows search.

To save this search for subsequent reuse, click the Save Search button (circled above in red). A "Save As" dialog box appears to prompt you for the name and/or location of your saved search (usually, accepting the defaults is OK). When you're satisfied with the name and location of your saved search, click the Save button. (See Figure 2.)

Figure 2. Saving a search.

Note that searches are saved in a special file that uses a very long filename extension: .search-ms. When you later want to perform the same search on the files in the directory, the .search-ms file is key. All you need to do is double-click the saved search file (the .search-ms file) and Windows Explorer will launch and take you to the results of the search.

 This tip (12877) applies to Windows 7, 8, and 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

Understanding Your Hosts File

Your system's Hosts file is an important file that can be used to increase the speed of you network connections, let you ...

Discover More

Adding Locations to the Search Index

You can fine-tune Indexed Searches by adding locations to the search index. This tip tells you how.

Discover More

Getting to Know the Ease of Access Center

Do you have hearing, vision, or mobility impartments? Windows 10 offers a range of modifications in the Ease of Access ...

Discover More
More WindowsTips

Assigning a Picture to a Folder

Windows allows you to customize many aspects of its user interface. One thing you can modify is how a folder's icon ...

Discover More

Creating and Using Compressed Folders

If you're low on disk space but still want to keep your files online, you might consider moving them to compressed ...

Discover More

Understanding Robocopy

Robocopy is a robust file copy utility built into Windows. If you have a lot of file management to do that can't easily ...

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 5 - 5?

2017-05-02 02:26:24

Barry

I don't think you can save the results. You have to run the saved search again.

2017-05-01 16:45:13

Bill F

Is there any way to save or export the search results rather than the search criteria?
Thanks.

Newest Tips
Links and Sharing
OUR COMPANY
OUR PRODUCTS
OUR SITES
 

Copyright © 2025 Sharon Parq Associates, Inc.