How to Find a Missing File on a Computer
- 1). Click the "Start" button. In Windows Vista and Windows 7, the search bar is at the bottom of the Start menu. In Windows XP, click the "Search" option. When the search window appears, select the type of file that you are looking for under the "What do you want to search for?" option on the left side of the screen.
- 2). Type the file name or a part of the file name on the search box. You can customize your search according to when it was created, last saved or modified. You can also put the estimated size of the file to filter your search.
- 3). Use the "Advanced search" option and choose a specific location where you want the computer to search for files. Click "Search" or hit "Enter" when you are done. Wait for the computer to search for the file that you need. If you have many several files, it may take a while before the search is completed.
- 4). Browse through the search results, and check if the file that you are looking for is among the list. If it is not, repeat your search. Change the file name or other advanced search options that you entered earlier.
- 5). Check your "Recycle Bin" for the file. The file may have been accidentally deleted from the computer.
