If you aren’t using Vista’s Search Folders yet, you should! (At least try them!).

Here’s how to create one. I’ll use PSD files in this example. PSD files are files created by Photoshop. But you can substitute any file type as you follow along.

First, start Windows Search:

Windows Start Button, then Search. (Or you can hold down the Windows Key and press ‘F’ as a shortcut).

In the upper right corner, type an asterisk (*), a period (.), and then the file extension you’re searching for; in this example, I’ll type "*.psd".

After you have finished typing the file extension, the search begins (it may start as you begin to type — don’t worry, just keep typing and the results update automatically).

 

In the screen shot above you’ll see a faint green animating rectangle underneath the text, "Search Results in Indexed Locations." The search is complete when this disappears. Generally, a search shouldn’t take more than 5-10 seconds.

If you want to start over, just click the small [x] in the search text area (it’s to the right).

When you’re happy with the search results, click the Save Search button shown above. The default file name isn’t as useful as it could be. In my example, Windows Search suggests ".psd". I’d much rather have it called "Photoshop Files." Type in a meaningful name as shown below, and click the Save button.

What’s truly handy about a search folder is that it’s not a snapshot of the files on your drives at a certain time. It’s a live search folder that is always updated on demand.

In the Windows Explorer, there’s normally a section called "Favorite Links." I drag short cuts to the folders I most commonly use here, including Search Folders.

You can drag the favorite links area to be larger so that there’s some room. You should see a "Searches" Folder. If you select that, you’ll see the list of searches that have been saved.

With my left mouse button held down, I selected the Photoshop Files Search on the right side, I dragged it to the Favorite Links section and released the mouse button:

The new search folder appears and is now a permanent favorite link. You can use this like any other folder. The files that are displayed on the right side as search results are the actual files, not just copies.

I find this is an extremely easy way to manage the large collection of Photoshop files I’ve created, and scattered all over my hard drive. With just a few clicks, I can see all of the files (and even sort them by date so I can see the most recent edited files).

As a bonus, you can even drag normal folders into the favorites list. For example, I’m always using the Visual Studio Projects folder. I’ve selected it and dragged it to the list the same way as described above for Search Folders. By default, it’s named Projects.

But, you can right-click on the folder name and select "Rename." It only changes the Favorite Link name and does not make any changes to the original folder name. The search folders are available within the standard file open/save dialogs as well. Just select your user name (your home folder), and then the Search folder:

You’ll see a list of saved searches; just pick the one you’re interested in and the search results are displayed!

 

For added power, you can use the advanced settings in the Search Window to build a more complex search.

Hope you check out search folders — they’re simple but often extremely useful. I use them and the Favorite Links every day on Vista.

Only available on Vista. Sorry XP users.