Windows XP Intermediate

SECTION 2

Using the Search Companion

The Search Companion is located under your Start Menu and there is also a toolbar button in My Computer/Windows Explorer. Although the layout and features are almost the same as the Windows Explorer window, the Search Companion has a different preview pane to display the help start you off in the right direction. First, the search companion asks you what you want to search for. The available options are:

Pictures, music, or video	Will prompt for a file name. Also gives additional options for Pictures and Photos, Music, and Video. Advanced search options are also available.
Documents (word processing, spreadsheet, etc.)	Will prompt for all or part of the document name. You can also specify when the document was last modified. Advanced search options are also available
All files and folders	You can enter all or part of the filename, a word or phrase in the file, and/or the location to search in. Additional options (which have their own sub options) are: When was it Modified, What Size is it, and More Advanced Options.
Computers or people	Initially prompts for two options: A Computer on the Network and People in your Address Book.
Information in Help and Support Centre	Opens the Help and Support Centre.

You will also notice additional options below the What Do You Want To Search For section. It is titled “You may also want to…” These options are:

Search the Internet	Displays a dialog box for you to type a question in. This will search the Internet for relative material. (Below the dialog box you will also see a sample question.)
Change preferences	Set your search preferences; we will discuss this option in a moment.
Learn more about the Search Companion	Opens a link on the Microsoft Web site dedicated to the search companion.