In this section:
The Integrated Search feature of Windows 8 is one of its most powerful new features. Integrated refers to the ability of Windows 8 to search not only your computer but also the Internet to find a wide variety of results. Finding what you need is simple because you don’t have to open up a search feature or screen. You simply begin typing a search term with the Start screen displayed. Windows 8 then brings up a Search screen with results and tools that help you narrow your search.
Using this advanced searching technique, you can find more than files on your computer: you can locate Windows administrative tools and settings, emails, photos, music, and much more.
Windows 8 also offers settings that help you limit your search to certain categories, giving you a lot of control over your search results.
Searching in Windows 8 is the most intuitive way to search you’ve ever experienced. You simply begin to type and search results appear. If you’ve used traditional search methods by which you have to locate a search feature, click in a text box, and then type, you will need to get used to this new approach.
You can access the Search charm on either the Start screen or from the desktop by displaying the charms. This method also takes you to the Integrated Search screen.
To help you focus your search so that you can find just what you’re looking for, Integrated Search provides more tools than a traditional search feature. That’s because the search feature reaches beyond Windows 8 and searches the Internet, too, assuming you have an Internet connection. This feature lets you search for items such as emails, contacts, photos, videos, games, items in the Windows Store, files, installed apps, music, maps, and even administrative tools and settings for Windows 8.
With Integrated Search open (see one of the previous two tasks), enter or complete your search term.
Click any category beneath the search box, such as Files, Maps, or Store, to narrow your search.
When the results appear, you can click another category to get different results.
To open any of the results, just click an item.
Note
Try This!
Enter a city, such as Seattle, in the search box. Click Maps to get a map of the city. Next, click Weather to see the weather forecast for the city. Tap Music, and it’s probable that Windows will locate a musical selection with the city name included. This is a great way to get all kinds of information about a new place you’re visiting!
There are a few settings you can apply for the Search feature that can make your searches more efficient. You can also make settings to keep your search history private. By deleting your search history, you ensure that nobody else can discover what you search for.
Press Windows logo key+I.
Click Change PC Settings.
Click Search.
Click Delete History to clear your search history.
Click the slider to turn the Let Windows Save My Searches As Future Search Suggestions feature off or on.
Click the slider to turn the Show the Apps I Search Most Often At The Top feature off or on.
Press the Windows logo key to return to the Start screen.
The wealth of search options in Windows 8 is “impressive; however, you might prefer not to have the Search feature return results in every category. For example, you might prefer not to search the Windows Store but to go there from the Store app on the Start screen to shop. Or you might prefer not to get video results, especially if you are working on a Windows 8 tablet with a battery that might run down quickly when playing videos. Setting which apps to include in a search is simple.
Press Windows logo key+I.
Click Change PC Settings.
Click the On/Off slider for any app to control whether Search should include it in searches.
Press the Windows logo key to return to the Start screen.
Tip
Remember that certain apps, such as Weather and Store, require that you have access to the Internet to return results. If you don’t have access, the search feature will search only your computer hard disk for matches in apps, files, and settings categories.
Note
See Also
See additional sections in this book, such as Chapter 12 about using Internet Explorer, Chapter 13 about using email, and Chapter 14 about shopping at the Windows Store, for more search options from within those apps.