have you ever downloaded or saved a file
only to have trouble finding it later
trying to track down a misplaced file
can be frustrating or even stressful but
if this ever happens to you don't panic
the file is probably still on your
computer and there are a few good ways
to locate it let's take a look at some
of the techniques you can use to
retrieve your files if you recently open
the file you need you may be able to
find it by clicking the Apple icon and
selecting recent items from the menu a
list of recently used files and
applications will appear if you come
across the file you need just click to
open it
by default your computer will place
downloaded files in a specific folder
called the downloads folder this is the
first place you should look if you're
having trouble finding a file that you
downloaded from the internet like a
photo attached to an email you can find
the Downloads folder on the dock select
it to see a list of your downloaded
files other good places to check for a
misplace file are the default folders on
the dock choose the finder if you don't
specify a location when you're saving a
file Mac OS will place certain types of
files in the default folders most of
these folders will be accessible from
the sidebar of the Finder window for
example if you're looking for a photo
try examining the pictures folder
let's close the finder and talk about
searching for files with spotlight in
the upper right corner select the
spotlight icon
then just type the name of the file or
keywords any files with those words in
the name will display below you can
double click it to open the file or if
you think you may have deleted a file by
mistake it may still be in the trash
click the trash icon to open it if you
discover the file you need click and
drag it to the desktop to remove it from
the trashcan finally once you've located
the file you may want to move it to a
place that will make it easier for you
to find in the future for this file you
might consider moving it to the pictures
folder
the next time you want to open that file
you'll be able to find it quickly and
easily
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