How to Use “OR” in a Windows File Search
Searching for files on your Windows computer can sometimes be a daunting task, especially when you’re looking for multiple files with different names or extensions. However, using the “OR” operator in your search query can significantly streamline the process. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to effectively use “OR” in a Windows file search to find the files you need quickly and efficiently.
Understanding the “OR” Operator
The “OR” operator is a logical operator that allows you to search for files that match any of the specified criteria. For example, if you want to find files with either “document” or “report” in their names, you would use the “OR” operator to combine the two search terms.
Here’s a quick rundown of how the “OR” operator works:
| Search Term | Result |
|---|---|
| document | Files with “document” in their name |
| report | Files with “report” in their name |
| document OR report | Files with either “document” or “report” in their name |
Using “OR” in the Search Bar
Now that you understand how the “OR” operator works, let’s see how to use it in the Windows search bar. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Open the Windows search bar by pressing the Windows key or clicking the search icon in the taskbar.
- Enter the first search term, such as “document” or “report,” followed by the “OR” operator. Make sure to use the correct syntax, which is to type “OR” without any spaces or punctuation.
- Press Enter or click the search button to see the results.
For example, if you want to find all files with “document” or “report” in their names, you would type “document OR report” in the search bar and press Enter.
Combining “OR” with Other Search Operators
The “OR” operator can be combined with other search operators to further refine your search. Here are a few examples:
- AND: To find files that match both “document” and “report,” use the “AND” operator instead of “OR.” For example, “document AND report” will return files with both terms in their names.
- NOT: To exclude certain files from your search, use the “NOT” operator. For example, “document OR report NOT spreadsheet” will return files with “document” or “report” in their names but exclude those with “spreadsheet” in their names.
- EXT: To search for files with a specific file extension, use the “EXT” operator. For example, “document OR report EXT pdf” will return files with “document” or “report” in their names and a “.pdf” extension.
Using “OR” in File Explorer
In addition to the search bar, you can also use the “OR” operator in File Explorer to search for files. Here’s how:
- Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where you want to search for files.
- Click the search bar at the top-right corner of the window.
- Enter your search terms, such as “document OR report,” and press Enter or click the search button.
This will display all files in the selected folder that match either “document” or “report” in their names.
Conclusion
Using the “OR” operator in a Windows file search can save you time and effort when looking for multiple files with different names or extensions. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can quickly and efficiently find the files you need, whether you’re using the search bar or File Explorer.
