How Do I Filter Files by Name in Windows Explorer?

To filter files by name in Windows Explorer, use the search box located at the top right of the folder window. You can simply type your desired filename or part of it into the search box to see matching results.

Windows Explorer's search function acts as a powerful filtering tool, allowing you to quickly locate files within the current folder or library based on their names and other properties.

Using the Search Box in Windows Explorer

The most direct way to filter by name is using the search bar:

1. Navigate to the folder or library you want to search.
2. Click or tap into the Search box at the top right.
3. Begin typing the name, or part of the name, of the file you are looking for.

As you type, Windows Explorer will automatically start filtering the files displayed in the current view, showing only those that match your input.

• Basic Matching: Typing document will show files like My Document.docx, Meeting Documents.pdf, Scan_001_document.jpg.
• Wildcards: Use * for any sequence of characters and ? for any single character.
  • report*.docx finds files starting with "report" and ending in .docx.
  • ????.txt finds 4-letter .txt files.
• Exact Phrases: Use double quotes "" for exact matches, especially if the name includes spaces or special characters. "Project Alpha Notes" finds files with that exact name.

Filtering Only by File Name (Using Search Properties)

While the basic search box often filters by name by default, you can explicitly tell Windows to search only file names and not the file contents or other properties. This method aligns with the reference provided:

1. Click or tap into the Search box. This activates the Search tab in the ribbon.
2. In the Search tab, look for the Refine group.
3. Click or tap Other properties.
4. Choose Name from the dropdown list.
5. A field like name: will appear in the search box. Type your search term after name:.

For example, typing name:budget will specifically search for files whose names contain "budget". This is particularly useful in folders containing many text documents where a keyword might appear in the content but not the filename.

Reference Information: As noted, if you want to search only file names and not file contents, tap or click Other properties, choose Name, and then enter your search term.

Refining Your Search Location

If you can't find what you're looking for in a specific library or folder, you can expand the search to include different locations. The search results pane often provides options to search "Subfolders," "This PC," or even "Everywhere" depending on your version of Windows and settings.

Quick Reference: Filtering Methods

Here's a quick summary of the primary methods:

Method	Description	How to Use
Basic Search Box	Simple text match in filenames (often defaults).	Type term directly into the search box.
Explicit Name Filter	Ensures search targets only the filename property.	Click Search Box > Search tab > Refine > Other properties > Name > type term.
Wildcards/Quotes	For pattern matching or exact phrases.	Include *, ?, or "" in the search box.

Using the search box effectively in Windows Explorer allows you to quickly narrow down the files displayed based on their names, saving time and effort.