have you ever downloaded or saved a file
only to have trouble finding it later
trying to track down a misplace 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 edited the file
you need you may be able to find it in
the recent files open the file explorer
and locate the recent file section in
older versions of Windows it may appear
in a different place if you come across
the file you need just double click it
to open it
you can also try opening the application
where you created the file for example
if it's an Excel spreadsheet open Excel
and look through the files displayed on
the Start screen
if you're having trouble hunting down a
file that you downloaded from the
internet like a photo attached to an
email you can check the Downloads folder
a list of your recently downloaded files
will appear you can browse the list for
the file you need other good places to
check for a misplaced file are the
default folders if you don't specify a
location when saving a file windows will
place certain types of files in these
folders you can click on this PC in
older versions this may be called my
computer here you will see the default
folders you can check these files and
folders to see if you spot the file for
example if you're looking for a photo
try examining the pictures folder if you
are still struggling to find a file you
can use the search bar in the file
explorer just begin typing a file name
or keywords any file with those words
the name will display below review them
to see if any are a match you can also
use the search bar in the lower left of
the desktop if you're using an older
version you may need to open the Start
menu to see it unlike in the file
explorer this search bar will look for
more than just files including results
from the internet names of applications
and even emails you've written
containing the search terms the number
of results may make it hard for you to
easily locate the file you need if you
think you may have deleted the file by
mistake it may still be in the recycle
bin double-click the recycle bin icon on
the desktop to open it if you discover
the file you need click and drag it to
the desktop to remove it from the
recycle bin finally once you've located
the file you may want to make it easier
for you to find in the future for
example you can rename the file by
right-clicking and selecting rename for
this file you might consider moving it
to the pictures folder and the next time
you want to open that file you'll be
able to access it quickly and easily
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