How to Use Search Filter Operators in Windows 11

Windows 11 File Explorer includes powerful built-in search filter operators that allow you to locate files instantly by specifying parameters like file size, modification date, and file extension. Instead of scrolling through hundreds of documents or waiting for broad searches, you can enter targeted commands directly into the File Explorer search bar to narrow down your results with precision.

How to Use File Extension and Type Filters

To find specific file formats, you can search by their extension using standard operators or wildcards.

• By Extension: Use ext: followed by the extension name.
  • Example: ext:.pdf finds all PDF documents.
  • Example: ext:.docx finds all Word documents.
• Using Wildcards: Type an asterisk * followed by the extension.
  • Example: *.png finds all PNG images.
• By File Kind: Use the kind: operator to search broader categories.
  • kind:picture
  • kind:document
  • kind:music
  • kind:video
  • kind:folder

How to Filter by File Size

The size: operator lets you locate files using either predefined labels or specific numerical values with comparison symbols (>, <, >=).

Using Predefined Size Labels

• size:empty (0 KB)
• size:tiny (0 – 10 KB)
• size:small (10 – 100 KB)
• size:medium (100 KB – 1 MB)
• size:large (1 – 16 MB)
• size:huge (16 – 128 MB)
• size:gigantic (> 128 MB)

Using Exact Values and Ranges

• Greater than: size:>500MB finds files larger than 500 megabytes.
• Less than: size:<2GB finds files smaller than 2 gigabytes.
• Size range: size:10MB..50MB finds files between 10 MB and 50 MB.

How to Filter by Date

You can find items based on when they were modified, created, or saved using datemodified: or datecreated:.

Using Natural Language Shortcuts

• datemodified:today
• datemodified:yesterday
• datemodified:this week
• datemodified:last month
• datemodified:this year

Using Specific Dates and Date Ranges

• Exact date: datemodified:2024-05-15 (or datemodified:5/15/2024)
• After a specific date: datemodified:>2024-01-01
• Before a specific date: datemodified:<2023-12-31
• Date range: datemodified:2024-01-01..2024-06-30

Combining Operators for Advanced Searches

You can combine multiple search parameters alongside file names to narrow down results even further. Windows supports standard Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT).

• Search by keyword, type, and size:
  • Project ext:.xlsx size:>5MB (Finds Excel files containing the word “Project” that are larger than 5 MB)
• Search by type within a date range:
  • invoice ext:.pdf datemodified:2024-01-01..2024-03-31 (Finds PDF invoices modified in the first quarter of 2024)
• Exclude specific criteria using NOT:
  • budget NOT ext:.tmp (Finds files named “budget” while excluding temporary files)