During my many years as a trainer the subject of searching for files has come up countless times. This subject has been the bane of life for many. Searching should never be difficult or painful. In a previous tip, I showed you how to find a file in Windows 10. There is another way to find a file using tags as your search word. Tags can be added to files quite easily and changed and updated or added to for future searches.
How to tag a file
1st of two ways
Once you have saved the file for the first time you can tag it.
- Select [File Tab].
- Select [Info] from the list on the left-hand side.
On the right-hand-side, you will find [Properties].
In the list below this you will see [Tags].
- Click where you see the words [Add a tag].
- Type in a memorable and relevant tag.
You will see that a semicolon is automatically placed after the tag you have typed. This indicates that you can add more tags to this file. You can do this at a later date.
2nd way to tag
If you happen to be in File Explorer and the file you wish to tag is not open. There is no reason to open it to add a tag.
Here is an example of files in a folder in File Explorer. 
Right-mouse-click on the name of the file you wish to tag. A list appears. 
- Select [Properties], the last in the list.
This dialog box appears. 
I have purposely screened the path for this file.
- Select the third tab in this dialog box called [Details].
This dialog box appears. 
Move your mouse to the right of the word Tags in the top part of the dialog box and an area reveals for you to type into. 
- Type the tag you require.
- for more than one tag, a semicolon appears after your entry. do not delete it.
- Select the [OK button].
If the file you wish to tag is open, you cannot add a tag to it. Close the file and try again.
How to search a tag
Now you have tagged your files, in the future you can easily search by tags.
- In [File Explorer], at the top right of the window, you will find the search bar.
- Type the following: [Tag:] followed by the tag name you require.
- Press the [Enter Key].
Your files which are tagged with this tag name will appear in a list. 
As my search above was in a folder that only had one file tagged with the word “tip” the result was one file.
In the folder Tips, when I do the same search by tag “tip”, this is my result.
Once you have added tags and mastered this feature, I am sure you will love it.
