Windows 8 Bible

How Searching Works

Understanding how searches work in Windows 8 is critical to performing quick, successful searches. Most searches are performed on an index. The index is like the index at the back of this or any other book. It’s basically a list of key words. Of course, Windows 8’s index doesn’t contain page numbers. In place of page numbers, it contains filenames and locations. You never see the index with your own eyes. The index is built, maintained, and searched behind the scenes without any intervention on your part.

Some searches you perform search the entire index. Others search only for programs, files, e-mail messages, or contacts. Still others ignore the index and search through every single folder on one or more drives. It all depends on where you start the search and how you perform the search. Let’s start with common everyday searches that are fast and easy to do.

Tip

The Start menu Search box (press Windows+X) uses the Windows 8 Interface search tool and provides a quick and easy way to open programs, folders, files, and messages.