Windows Filters to Search by File Type, Date, and More

Searching for files on your Windows computer can be a pain. Fortunately, using Windows search filters can make finding important files much easier.

What are search filters?

Search filters in Windows help you narrow down your search results without installing Windows Search alternatives. Instead of relying on third-party apps or sifting through countless documents, you can apply specific criteria—like file type or date modified—to pinpoint exactly what you’re looking for.

Basically, search filters act as parameters that define what you’re looking for. When used properly, they can dramatically reduce the time you spend searching for files by refining your results. By entering a specific keyword, you can find the exact file you need instantly.

How to use Windows search filters

Finding files using search filters is intuitive and easy. There are a few ways you can take advantage of File Explorer's search filters to find files faster and avoid endlessly digging through folders.

Date modified filter

The "date modified" filter is extremely useful when you remember working on a file recently but don't remember the file name. Using this filter, you can search for files based on the last modification time.

For example, if you worked on a presentation last week, type datemodified:last week into the search bar. Windows will then show you only files that were modified during that time frame. You can also use a specific date or a broader range like datemodified:this year to locate files quickly.

Kind filter

If you're not sure about a file's name or date of modification, the Kind filter can be your best friend.

This filter lets you search by file type, making it easier to locate documents, images, videos, or other categories. To use it, simply type kind: followed by the type of file you're looking for.

For example, if you're looking for a picture, type kind:picture. Windows will display all the picture files on your computer, helping you cut through the clutter.

Name filter

The name filter is useful when you only remember part of a file name. Maybe you saved a budget spreadsheet but can't remember the full title. By typing name:budget, Windows will search for all files with "budget" in the name.

This approach is effective in narrowing down your options, especially if you've already made an effort to organize your files with clear, descriptive names.

Tag Filters

Using tags makes finding files much easier. Tag your documents based on projects, importance, or anything else that helps you keep track of them.

For example, you can tag all your work-related files as "work" or all your vacation photos as "vacation." Once you've tagged your files, finding them becomes simple.

Type tags: followed by the tag name and Windows will collect all the related files. This is a great way to stay organized, especially when working with multiple documents or projects. Using tags makes searching faster and keeps everything in its place.

Size filter

If you know the file you're looking for is large, the "size" filter can help you find it in seconds.

You can filter files by size categories, such as small, medium, large, or extra large. You can also use a specific size range. For example, entering size:>50MB will only show files larger than 50MB.

This filter is especially useful when you need to free up space on your hard drive by finding large, unnecessary files.

File type filter

Sometimes, you may need to find files of a specific format, such as PDFs or Excel spreadsheets. The "file type" filter makes this easy.

Just enter type: followed by the file extension, such as type:.pdf, to show all PDF files on your computer. This filter is handy when working on a project that requires you to collect all documents of the same type in one place.

Combine Filters for Greater Accuracy

One of the most powerful features of Windows search filters is the ability to combine them for more precise searches. If you need a report that was modified last month and you know it's a PDF, you can combine filters like name:report datemodified:last month type:.pdf.

This search will instantly locate the file you need by narrowing down the results to match all of your criteria. Combining filters saves even more time and can help you zero in on exactly what you're looking for with minimal effort.

Mastering Windows search filters can make a huge difference in how you search and manage files. These easy-to-use tools save you a lot of time and are one of the best tips for a better Windows Search experience.