The next link allows you to specify some file size criteria. You can select one of these three options using the pull-down menu above the date range fields. This date range can cover when you think the file was created, last modified, or last accessed. You can also select “Specify dates”, and enter a date range using the “from” and “to” fields. If you select “When was it modified?” you can search only files modified in the last week, the last month, or the last year using the radio buttons. The links below the drive selection menu allow you to set more specific criteria for your search. Under “Look in” you can change the drive to search from the default of the “C:” drive to a CD or a USB drive. In the next window displayed by the Search Assistant, you can enter the name of the file you are looking for under “All or part of the file name.” You can also search the contents of a file for a particular word or phrase by entering them in the second search field. If you know the type of file you are searching for, then use one of the first two links, “Pictures, music, or video” to search for those kinds of files or “Documents” to search for Word files and the like.

Click on “All files or folders” in the Search Assistant area unless you know the type of file you are looking for. In the window that opens up, you will see the search assistant on the left, and the results window on the right. To search for files on your computer using Windows XP’s search feature, select Start, Search.

Search my computer for files