How to Create a "Search Files" Shortcut in Windows 8
InformationThis tutorial will show how to create or download a "Search Files" shortcut that opens directly to the Metro Search charm flyout screen with Files selected in Windows 8.
You can also press the Windows + F keys to open Search Files.
You can also press the Windows + F keys to open Search Files.
EXAMPLE: "Search Files" in Windows 8
OPTION ONE
To Download a "Search Files" Shortcut for Windows 8
1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the ZIP file below.
Search-Files_Shortcut.zip
2. Save the .zip file to the desktop.
3. Open the .zip file and extract (drag and drop) the Search Files shortcut to the desktop.
4. For the first time that you run the shortcut, uncheck the Always ask before opening this file box, and click/tap on Open to unblock the shortcut.
5. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.
6. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .zip file on the desktop if you like, or save it to use again.
OPTION TWO
To Manually Create a "Search Files" Shortcut in Windows 8
1. Right click or press and hold on a empty area of the desktop, and click/tap on New and Shortcut.
2. Copy and paste the command below into the location area, and click/tap on the Next button. (see screenshot below)
%windir%\explorer.exe shell:::{2559a1f0-21d7-11d4-bdaf-00c04f60b9f0}
3. Type Search Files for the name, and click/tap on the Finish button. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You can name this shortcut anything you would like though.
4. Right click or press and hold on the new Search Files shortcut, and click/tap on Properties.
5. Click/tap on the Shortcut tab, then click/tap on the Change Icon button. (see screenshot below)
6. In the line under "Look for icons in this file", copy and paste the location below and press Enter. (see screenshot below)
%SystemRoot%\System32\twinui.dll
7. Select the icon highlighted in blue above, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot above)
NOTE: You can use any icon that you would like instead though.
8. Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 5)
9. If you like, you can Pin to Taskbar on desktop, Pin to Start screen, add to Quick Launch, assign a keyboard shortcut to it, or move this shortcut to where you like for easy use.
That's it,
Shawn
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