How do I search for a file by its contents instead of remembering its name?

Open File Explorer and start in the folder where you think the document might be. Type distinctive words from inside the file into the search box. Searching from a folder includes that folder and its child folders by default, and search terms can match words in file content. [S2]

Choose words that are less likely to appear in many documents. If you get too many results, add another distinctive word or narrow the search by date modified, kind, or size using the available search options. [S2]

First try the most likely folder. If you need a wider search, check the search options for a choice to include all folders beneath the current folder. The search scope matters: a search started in one folder does not automatically mean you have searched everywhere on the PC. [S2]

Windows indexing also depends on its search setup. Classic indexing covers Documents, Pictures, Music, and the desktop by default; Enhanced indexing covers user folders and files across the PC. You can check which option is in use under Searching Windows. [S1]

Check whether the folder is included in the index and whether Windows indexes the contents of that file type. For Classic indexing, you can inspect indexed locations and, under Advanced > File Types, see whether a type is indexed by properties only or by properties and content. Content search needs the latter; an indexed filename or file property alone is not the same as searchable text inside the file. [S1]

Also consider timing: after creating a new index, it can take up to a couple of hours to complete. That does not establish that every file type or every file’s contents will be searchable, so check the location and file-type settings rather than assuming an empty result proves the file is missing. [S1]

For example, suppose you recall the words “delivery window” from a document somewhere in Documents. Start in Documents and search for delivery window. If the results are too broad, narrow by a likely file kind or modified date. If there are no results, check that Documents is within the indexed locations and that the file type is set to index properties and content. If you recently changed the index, allow time for it to complete. These checks can explain a missed result, but they cannot establish that unsupported or unindexed file contents will be found. [S1] [S2]

Reusable checklist:

1. Search for distinctive words from the file’s contents.
2. Start in a likely folder; expand the scope when needed.
3. Narrow crowded results by date modified, kind, or size.
4. Check the indexed location and content setting for the file type.
5. If the index is new, allow time for it to finish.

This guide covers Windows File Explorer search. The cited information does not establish support for every file format or explain search behavior in other operating systems.