Search-Menu Shortcuts

Most of the files I search for are in one of two folders, but I still have to type the folder path in the Search dialog box each time, or open the folder and start searching. >>TIP In the past, I could use the FindX utility in Microsoft's free PowerToys package to add shortcuts to my Search menu, and to set Search to open with the parameters I specified. Unfortunately, FindX isn't in the latest versions of PowerToys, though it still works with every version of Windows.

Download PowerToys to get FindX. Double-click the .exe file to place its contents into the current folder. Right-click the FindX.inf file and choose Install. In your Start Menu folder, FindX creates a hidden folder called Find. To open the Start Menu folder, right-click the Start button and choose Open. If you don't see the Find folder, choose View, Folder Options or Tools, Folder Options, click the View tab, and check the option to display hidden files.

Conduct a search using the parameters you specify most often, and then choose File, Save Search. Depending on your version of Windows, you may be able to save the file directly in the Start Menu's Find folder. If not, save it to the desktop; then open Explorer and drag the file with the search parameters you just specified from the Desktop folder to your Start Menu/Find folder. You may need to restart Windows before seeing the change to your Find or Search menu. Thereafter, you can choose your saved search from your Start, Find or Start, Search menu, permitting you to run a similar search pronto.

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