Number 205 - June 2000

Using the FIND Command
by William Miller, NetView--BayCity
A very powerful command in Windows 95 is found on the START menu. It's the FIND command, and it can be initiated from anywhere in Windows by using the F3 function key. If you have a browser open the FIND window may be hidden but will be shown on the TASK BAR.     The most time-saving feature is being able to use a "fuzzy search" to find a file. .While you can find a recently opened or saved file by using the "Documents" command on the "Start" menu, what if you forgot the name you saved it under? With the FIND command you never have to include the extension or even the full spelling of the file name. It can even find a file when you list only a few characters in the middle of the name.     You don't remember anything about the file name? Then use the DATE MODIFIED tab to search within a date frame during which you remember saving the file. Can't remember the dates at all? How about the subject of the file? Using the ADVANCED tab, you can search for files that contain a certain combination of words within the file, such as the subject matter or name of a person mentioned there. The three main tabs can even be combined to make up a very narrow search.     If this same or similar search criteria is likely to be needed again, click on the "SAVE SEARCH" option under the FILE menu. This will put an icon on your desktop to click on for another search.     As in the other Explorer type Windows, the way these found files are displayed can be changed using the VIEW options. You can show just icons, (small or large), full file details, or just a simple list. When showing all details you may need to expand the "IN FOLDER" space to show the full path for the files. (Click and drag the separator lines beside the headings.)	I frequently find all sound files for a quick sound system test by typing *.wav or *.mid into the "Named" box. Then I just click on one of them to play it. You can search multiple drives by entering the drive letters separated by a semicolon. (such as C:\; A:\)    Now comes the powerful and fun part of the FIND command: How to make use of the files you have found.     Once an application is registered to open a file, just clicking on the file name will run that application and open that file for you.     By right-clicking on the file name you are presented with a bunch of options, such as COPY (to the clipboard), SEND TO (to the A: drive, mail, or briefcase), RENAME, DELETE and ZIP functions. (SEND TO is a very quick way to copy a file to a floppy disk.)     Any file found here can be added to the DESKTOP as a shortcut, allowing very quick access to it the next time you need it.     By clicking on PROPERTIES for this file you can get all sorts of details, such as date created, date modified, type of file, etc.    By looking at the files this way you can recognize duplicate and backup files so you can remove them from your hard drive. When you are sure they are safe to delete, holding down the SHIFT key when you hit DELETE will keep the files from being saved again in your RECYCLE BIN.
Number 205 - June 2000