=Searching in Everything=
Use the [[support/everything/using_everything#search_box|search box]] at the top of the Everything window to search for files and folders.

Type in a partial filename.
Files and folders matching your search will be instantly displayed in the [[support/everything/using_everything#result_list|result list]].

[[#simple|A simple search]]
[[#combine|Combine simple searches]]
[[#path|Search drives and folders]]
[[#options|Search options]]
[[#advanced|Advanced Search]]
[[#modifiers|Search Modifiers]]
[[#functions|Search Functions]]
[[#dupe|Finding duplicates]]
[[#filters|Filters]]
[[#bookmarks|Bookmarks]]
[[#macros|Macros]]
[[#history|Search History]]
[[#home|Home search]]
[[#settings|Search settings]]
[[#regex|Regular Expressions]]
[[#examples|Examples]]
[[#see_also|See also]]



==simple|A simple search==

Type a partial word to instantly find files and folders with that word in the filename.

For example:
`invoice` = find files and folders with '''invoice''' in the filename



Use [[support/everything/search_syntax/#wildcards|wildcards]] to find files with a matching extension.

For example:
`*.pdf` = find only PDF files



Include a backslash (`\`) to search the full path.

For example:
`\downloads` = find files and folders in a Downloads folder



==combine|Combine simple searches==
Use a space to combine simple searches.

For example:
`\downloads invoice *.pdf` = find PDF files with '''invoice''' in the filename in a Downloads folder



Use a vertical bar (`|`) to search for either of the simple searches.

For example:
`\downloads|\documents invoice *.pdf` = find PDF files with '''invoice''' in the filename in either a Downloads or Documents folder



Use an exclamation mark (`!`) to exclude a simple search.

For example:
`\documents !draft *.docx` = find Microsoft Word files in a Documents folder without '''draft''' in the filename



Use the [[#advanced|Advanced Search]] from the '''Search''' menu to help build more complex searches.



To view the search syntax in Everything:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Help''' menu, click '''Search Syntax'''.
</ul>



See [[support/everything/search_syntax/#syntax|Search Syntax]] for more information.



==path|Search drives and folders==

To limit the results to a single drive, search for the drive letter followed by a colon (`:`)

For example:
`d:` = find files and folders on your '''D:''' drive



To search multiple drives at once, separate the drive letters with a vertical bar (`|`)

For example:
`c: | e:` = find files and folders on your '''C:''' or '''E:''' drives



To exclude a drive from your search, prefix the drive letter with an exclamation mark (`!`)

For example:
`!e:` = hide files and folders on your '''E:''' drive



To search inside a specific folder, search for the folder path with a trailing backslash (`\`)

For example:
`C:\windows\media\` = find files and folders in '''C:\Windows\Media'''

A trailing backslash (`\`) specifies a folder.
Without the trailing backslash, the search can also match names that begin with the specified path.

For example:
`C:\windows\media` = can also match a file named '''C:\Windows\Media2'''



Use double quotes (`"`) around paths that contain spaces.

For example:
`"c:\program files\"` = find files and folders in '''C:\Program Files'''

Without double quotes, the space separates the search into two simple searches:
`C:\Program Files` searches for '''C:\Program''' in the full path and '''Files''' in the name.



==options|Search options==

The [[support/everything/using_everything#menu|Search]] menu contains options for controlling how Everything searches.

Enabled search options are shown on the right side of the [[support/everything/using_everything/#status_bar|status bar]].
Double-click a search option in the status bar to disable it.

<dl>
;''Match Case''
Match uppercase and lowercase letters exactly.

;''Match Diacritics''
Match accent marks exactly.

;''Match Whole Words''
Match complete words instead of matching text within words.

;''Match Path''
Match against the full path instead of just the name.

;''Match Prefix''
Match only the beginning of words.

;''Match Suffix''
Match only the end of words.

;''Ignore Punctuation''
Ignore punctuation in filenames.

;''Ignore White-space''
Ignore whitespaces in filenames.

;enable_regex|''Regular Expressions''
Enable [[#regex|Regular Expressions]] for advanced pattern matching.

;''Everything''
;''Audio''
;''Compressed''
;''Document''
;''Executable''
;''Folder''
;''Image''
;''Video''
Search using the selected filter.
See [[#filters|Filters]] for more information.
</dl>



<span id="advanced_search"></span>==advanced|Advanced Search==

Use Advanced Search to build more complex searches without having to remember the search syntax.

[[File:support/everything/Everything.Advanced.Search.png|alt=Everything Advanced Search]]

To show the advanced search dialog:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Search''' menu, click '''Advanced Search'''.
</ul>



<span id="search_modifiers"></span>==modifiers|Search Modifiers==

Search modifiers change how your search behaves.
They temporarily override search options set under the [[#options|Search]] menu.

For example:
`case:README` = finds files and folders with uppercase '''README''' in the filename without having to enable '''Match Case''' from the '''Search''' menu

For a complete list of modifiers, see [[support/everything/search_modifiers|Search Modifiers]].



<span id="search_functions"></span>==functions|Search Functions==

Search functions find files and folders by [[support/everything/properties|properties]].

For example:
`size:>100mb` = instantly find files and folders larger than 100 MB
`date-modified:today` = instantly find files and folders modified today
`*.docx content:vanilla` = find Word documents containing '''vanilla'''

For a complete list of functions and syntax, see [[support/everything/search_functions|Search Functions]].



==dupe|Finding duplicates==
Everything can quickly find files and folders with duplicate names, sizes, dates, and other properties.
<beta1.5>

To find duplicate results, right-click a column header and click '''Find ''<property>'' duplicates'''.

For example:
Right-click the '''Size''' column header and click '''Find Size duplicates'''.

See [[support/everything/find_duplicates|Finding Duplicates]] for more information.



==filters|Filters==

Filters are saved searches that can be activated without changing the search in the search box.

Everything includes several default filters, such as '''Audio''' and '''Video'''.

Filters can be activated from the [[support/everything/using_everything#menu|Search]] menu, [[support/everything/using_everything/#filters|filter bar]], or [[support/everything/using_everything/#filters|filters sidebar]].
The active filter is shown on the right side of the [[support/everything/using_everything/#status_bar|status bar]].
Double-click the active filter in the status bar to disable it.



To edit an existing filter:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Search''' menu, click '''Organize filters...'''.
*Select a filter.
*Click '''Edit'''.
</ul>



To add an extension to an existing default filter:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Search''' menu, click '''Organize filters...'''.
*Select a filter.
*Click '''Edit'''.
*Add the extension to the end of the semicolon (`;`) separated extension list in the filter search.
*Click '''OK'''.
</ul>



To create a new filter:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Search''' menu, click '''Add to filters...'''.
*Type in a '''Name'''.
*Set the filter '''Search'''.
*Click '''OK'''.
</ul>



To show the filter bar:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''View''' menu, click '''Filter bar'''.
</ul>



To move the filter bar:
<ul>
*Right-click the filter bar and click '''Move Filter Bar to Left/Right'''.
</ul>
<beta1.5>



To show the filter sidebar:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''View''' menu, click '''Filters'''.
</ul>
<beta1.5>



Filters can also be assigned [[#macros|macros]] that are treated as the filter search text when used in the search box.



==bookmarks|Bookmarks==

Bookmarks save the current search.

Opening a bookmark replaces the text in the search box and restores the saved settings.
Bookmarks can be opened from the [[support/everything/using_everything#menu|Bookmarks]] menu or [[support/everything/using_everything/#bookmarks|Bookmarks sidebar]].

Unlike [[#filters|filters]], bookmarks replace the current search in the search box.
Bookmarks can also save the active filter, shown columns, sort order, view settings, and index settings.



To create a new bookmark from the current search:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Bookmarks''' menu, click '''Add to bookmarks...'''.
*Type in a '''Name'''.
*Click '''OK'''.
</ul>



To organize bookmarks:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Bookmarks''' menu, click '''Organize bookmarks...'''.
</ul>



To show the bookmarks sidebar:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''View''' menu, click '''Bookmarks'''.
</ul>
<beta1.5>



Bookmarks can also be assigned [[#macros|macros]] that are treated as the bookmark search text when used in the search box.



==macros|Macros==

Macros are custom keywords followed by a colon (`:`) that are treated as the saved filter or bookmark search text.

For example, the default '''Audio''' filter uses the `audio` macro.
Searching for `audio:` in the search box is treated as the full search text from the '''Audio''' filter.



Macros make it easy to combine filters.
For example:
`audio: | video:` = find files matching either the '''Audio''' or '''Video''' filter.



To create a custom Bookmark macro:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Bookmarks''' menu, click '''Add to bookmarks...'''.
*Type in a '''Name'''.
*Set a keyword for the '''Macro''' (for example: `mymacro`).
*Click '''OK'''.
</ul>

Using `mymacro:` in the search box is treated as the search text defined in the bookmark.
Any search options, columns, or view settings saved in the bookmark are temporarily applied while `mymacro:` is in the search box.



Default filter macros for searching by file type:
<ul>
*`audio:` = music and audio files
*`doc:` = documents, PDFs, and text files
*`exe:` = programs and installers
*`image:` = photos and graphics
*`video:` = movies and video clips
*`zip:` = ZIP files and archives
</ul>



==history|Search History==

Everything remembers your previous searches, previous session, recently closed tabs, and recently closed windows.

A search is added to the history when an action is performed on a result.



Recent searches can be accessed from the drop-down box to the right of the search box.

To find an older search:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the [[support/everything/using_everything#menu|History]] menu, click '''Find Search History'''.
</ul>



To restore a previous session:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the [[support/everything/using_everything#menu|History]] menu, click '''Restore Previous Session'''.
</ul>



To restore a previously closed tab:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the [[support/everything/using_everything#menu|History]] menu, under the '''Recently Closed Tabs''' submenu, click your tab.
</ul>



To restore a previously closed window:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the [[support/everything/using_everything#menu|History]] menu, under the '''Recently Closed Windows''' submenu, click your window.
</ul>



See [[support/everything/search_history|Search History]] for more information.



==home|Home search==

The home search is the default search when you first open an Everything search window or tab.

The home search can also save the active filter, shown columns, sort order, view settings, and index settings.



To restore the home search:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the [[support/everything/using_everything#menu|History]] menu, click '''Home'''.
</ul>



To change the home search settings:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Tools''' menu, click '''Options'''.
*Click the [[support/everything/options#home|Home]] tab.
*Set the desired search options, search, filter, columns, sort order, view settings, and index settings.
*Click '''OK'''.
</ul>



==settings|Search settings==

Configure search as you type, search box focus and selection, matching whole filename when using wildcards, and other search settings.

To manage your search settings:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Tools''' menu, click '''Options'''.
*Click the '''Search''' tab on the left.
</ul>

See [[support/everything/options/#search|Options]] for more information.



==regex|Regular Expressions==

Regular expressions are a powerful way to search for patterns in filenames.

Everything uses Perl Compatible Regular Expressions (PCRE).

When regular expressions are enabled in the [[support/everything/using_everything#menu|Search]] menu, the normal Everything search syntax is disabled.
Search operators, wildcards, macros, modifiers, and functions are not supported.



To use regular expressions for part of a search, add the [[support/everything/search_modifiers#regex|regex:]] modifier before your search.
Standard Everything search syntax still works everywhere else.

For example:
`*.jpg regex:^IMG_\d+` = find JPG files starting with '''IMG_''' followed by one or more digits
`*.txt regex:^\d{4}-\d{2}-\d{2}` = find TXT files starting with a date in YYYY-MM-DD format



Enclose the pattern in double quotes (`"`) when using spaces with the `regex:` search modifier.

For example:
`regex:" - \d\d - "` = find filenames containing two digits enclosed by spaces and a hyphen



Regular expression syntax:
{|
| <code>a|b</code>
| Matches a or b
|-
| <code>gr(a|e)y</code>
| Matches gray or grey
|-
| <code>.</code>
| Matches any single character
|-
| <code>[abc]</code>
| Matches a single character a, b or c
|-
| <code>[^abc]</code>
| Matches any single character except a, b or c
|-
| <code>[a-z]</code>
| Matches a single character in the range a to z
|-
| <code>[a-zA-Z]</code>
| Matches a single character in the range a to z or A to Z
|-
| <code>^</code>
| Matches the start of the filename
|-
| <code>$</code>
| Matches the end of the filename
|-
| <code>*</code>
| Matches the preceding element zero or more times
|-
| <code>?</code>
| Matches the preceding element zero or one times
|-
| <code>+</code>
| Matches the preceding element one or more times
|-
| <code>{x}</code>
| Matches the preceding element x times
|-
| <code>{x,}</code>
| Matches the preceding element x or more times
|-
| <code>{x,y}</code>
| Matches the preceding element between x and y times
|-
| <code>( )</code>
| Defines a marked subexpression and captures the text it matches
|-
| <code>\</code>
| Escapes a special character
|}

To view the regular expression syntax in Everything:
<ul>
*In '''''Everything''''', from the '''Help''' menu, click '''Regular Expression Syntax'''.
</ul>



==Examples==

The following examples demonstrate different ways to search in Everything, from simple searches to more advanced searches.



'''Simple boolean searches''':
:`abc 123` = find files and folders with '''abc''' and '''123''' in the filename
:`abc|123` = find files and folders with '''abc''' or '''123''' in the filename
:`!abc` = find files and folders without '''abc''' in the filename



'''Simple wildcard searches''':
:`*.mp3` = find MP3 files
:`*.docx` = find Microsoft Word files
:`*.jpg|*.png` = find JPG or PNG files



'''Search drives and folders''':
:`c:` = find files and folders on the '''C:''' drive
:`d:|e:` = find files and folders on the '''D:''' drive or '''E:''' drive
:`!f:` = exclude files and folders from the '''F:''' drive
:`\downloads` = find files and folders in a '''Downloads''' folder
:`!\appdata` = exclude files and folders from an '''AppData''' folder
:`c:\windows\` = find files and folders in '''C:\Windows'''
:`"c:\program files\"` = find files and folders in '''C:\Program Files'''



'''File and folder searches''':
:`!.` = find files and folders with no extension
:`file:` = find files only
:`folder:` = find folders only
:`empty:` = find empty folders



'''Size searches''':
:`size:>1gb` = find files and folders larger than 1 GB
:`size:10mb..50mb` = find files and folders between 10 MB and 50 MB
:`size:<1mb` = find files and folders smaller than 1 MB



'''Date modified searches''':
:`dm:today` = find files and folders modified today
:`dm:7days` = find files and folders modified in the last 7 days
:`dm:2026-09-04` = find files and folders modified on 2026-09-04
:`dm:>2022` = find files and folders modified after 2022
:`dm:2025-07-01..2026-06-30` = find files and folders modified in the 2025-2026 financial year



'''Duration searches''':
:`*.mp3 length:>1hour` = find MP3 files longer than 1 hour
:`*.mp3 length:10mins..30mins` = find MP3 files between 10 minutes and 30 minutes long
:`*.mp3 length:<1min` = find MP3 files shorter than 1 minute
:<beta1.5>



'''Limit the search to a single folder''':
:`parent:c:\windows` = find files and folders directly in '''C:\Windows'''
:`parent:"c:\program files"` = find files and folders directly in '''C:\Program Files'''



'''Advanced file and folder searches''':
:`d:\music\ !child:mp3` = find folders in D:\music that do not have an MP3 file



'''Advanced regex filename searches''':
:`regex:[^\x00-\x7f]` = find filenames with non-ASCII characters
:`regex:[\x{1F300}-\x{1F6FF}\x{1F900}-\x{1F9FF}\x{2600}-\x{27BF}]` = find filenames with emoji characters



'''Advanced file content searches''':
:`*.txt content:<abc 123>` = find TXT files where the content contains '''abc''' and '''123'''
:`*.txt regex:content:^\d\d\d\d` = find TXT files where the content starts with 4 digits



==See also==
<ul>
*[[support/everything/search_syntax|Search Syntax]]
*[[support/everything/search_modifiers|Search Modifiers]]
*[[support/everything/search_functions|Search Functions]]
*[[support/everything/command line options#searching|Search command line options]]
*[[support/everything/options#search|Search settings]]
*[[support/everything/keyboard shortcuts|Search keyboard shortcuts]]
</ul>
