Every computer user has repeatedly heard that any version of Windows has a "desktop". Most of them know or at least have an idea of what this means and where they are. In general, the "Desktop" is the main area of the screen that appears immediately after booting the computer and then entering the operating system. However, not everyone knows that "Desktop", among other things, is a folder or directory that can contain shortcuts to programs, files and even folders with subfolders and files. If it is a directory, then how to find the "Desktop" folder in Windows 7? At first glance, this question will seem trivial to some users. But beginners should not rush to this conclusion. Because sooner or later, everyone may need to reinstall the Windows 7 system with the preliminary formatting of the local disk. Therefore, it is very important to know where the "Desktop" folder is located so as not to lose important files that are in it.
How to find the "Desktop" folder in Windows 7
As you may have guessed, Windows 7 Desktop folder and other versions of the system is located on the same local drive as the system itself, that is, on the "C: \" drive. Therefore, it is very important to transfer all the necessary information from the local drive "C: \" to any other drive, for example, to "D: \" before reinstalling the operating system. Let's consider, how to find the "Desktop" folder using a standard conductor. To do this, press the "WIN" + "E" key combination on the keyboard or double-click on the "Computer" icon located on the "Desktop" or in the "Start" menu. You can also start Explorer from the "Taskbar and Start Menu" - there by default the Explorer icon is fixed in the form of a yellow folder.
An explorer window will appear in front of you, with the help of which I will show you the absolute path of the location the "Desktop" folder in Windows 7, which can be used in other conductors, for example, Total Commander. So, click in the left column of the explorer window on the "Computer" icon once with the left mouse button. All disks on your computer will be displayed on the right. Double-click the operating system drive marked with the Microsoft icon (by default, this is the C: \ drive). 
The contents of the "C: \" drive will be displayed, among which we are only interested in one folder - "Users" (or "Users"). Double-click on it with the left mouse button to open it. 
You will see folders with the names of all users on your system and the "General" folder. Open the folder that bears your name (username). 
The directory with the username is the place where the "Desktop" folder is located... And you can already see it. If your system language is not Russian, but English, or if you use, say, the Total Commander explorer, the "Desktop" folder will be called "Desktop". 
It turns out that the full absolute path to the "Desktop" folder will look like this:
"C: \ Users \ Username \ Desktop"
Now at any time you can find the folder "Desktop" for more convenient work with the folders and files contained in it. Be familiar with the computer!
The large capacity of modern discs allows you to store many documents or multimedia files. Therefore, without initially subjecting your directories to a certain structuring, you can get complete chaos on your hard drive. If this has already happened, and you have forgotten the location of any files, it will be difficult to find them without knowing how to use the built-in search of the operating system.
Search by file name
Knowing the name of the document, you will greatly facilitate your task and after a short period of time you will already see the file you are looking for on your computer screen. There are several ways to find it by name in Windows 7.
Through the start menu
There is a search box in the start menu of the operating system. To find the required document through this field, you must:
- Click on the "Start" button.
- Find a field.
- Enter the name by which the search will be carried out.
- Read the proposed results.
After entering the proposed name of the document, you will immediately be presented with a list of found files:
In this case, Windows 7 was looking for a document called "Agency". As you can see from the previous screenshot, the first suggested option is the desired file.
How to find in a folder?
There is another way to find documents. Each directory of Windows 7 Explorer has a corresponding field:
Therefore, knowing the name of the file and its location, you can:
- Open the desired folder in the explorer.
- Enter the name of the document in the field.
- Get the result.
In this example, the search was performed using the Biology template. As a result, the following files and folders were found:
Knowing the location of the object is not necessary. It simply speeds up the search for files by the operating system. Since modern computers have high performance, the duration of finding the necessary information with a known location and with an unknown one practically does not differ. If you have no idea in which folder and even on which disk the file is saved, you can search your entire computer:
Additional filters
With a common file name, you run the risk of seeing several thousand options that complicate the choice of the desired document. If you know the date the file was modified or its size, you can specify them when searching (by entering a template in the field, you will see the proposed filters):
You can also scroll down the found list and limit the search range by clicking the "Other" button:
After such a click, Windows 7 will display the settings window:
In this window, you must:
- Mark the necessary folders in which the search will be carried out.
- Confirm the selection with the "OK" button
After the performed actions, the number of found items in the list will significantly decrease, so it will become much easier to find the one you need.
How to find inside files?
The above methods make it easier to search by name. But what if you don't know the name? In this case, you should roughly know the text of the document you are looking for. Windows 7 can find files by their contents. This function was not introduced in vain, because it is easier for a computer user to remember what is inside a document than to try to recall its name in memory.
By default, this method of finding files is disabled in the operating system. To enable it, you must:
- Open "Computer" in Explorer.
- Press and release the ALT button (this action allows the top horizontal menu to appear, which is normally hidden in its normal state).
- Select the "Service" item.
- Go to the sub-item "Folder options".
After clicking with the mouse on the specified submenu, Windows 7 will display the following window:
In it, you must:
- Go to the "Search" tab.
- Check the box responsible for scanning the contents of objects;
- Confirm the changes with the "Apply" button.
The procedure is shown in the following screenshot:
This method significantly slows down the search for the desired object, but sometimes it is simply irreplaceable (for example, if several people use the computer). Therefore, if you do not want to wait and do not want to waste time scanning inside all documents, you can enable or disable this option at your discretion. After changing the settings, the file search is carried out according to the same scheme as described above, without any changes.
An example of finding a document by its content
You can find an object by any phrase, but it is especially easy to search for a file with poems. After all, it is easier to remember a line from a poem than a phrase from an accounting report. However, in the second case, a few of the most common words in the document will help you find any report.
For example, you have somewhere a document with Shakespeare's sonnets, and you remember the phrase from one sonnet: "Will you compare me." To find this collection on your computer, you need:
- Open "Computer" in the explorer.
- Go to the required folder (if known).
- Enter the phrase you remember in the search field.
- Get the result.
Any information can be found in this way, provided that it is saved on your disk.
The "Users" directory is located at the root of the system volume of the computer on which Windows7 is installed. This is its true name, although in the Russian-language modification of the "Seven" the owners of the PC see it under the pseudonym "Users". It is obvious that all the folders of the system users are located in the directory of the same name.
How do I find the folder?
A person who was not lazy and read the preamble to this instruction already knows the answer to the question of how to find the Users folder on a computer with Windows 7. By default, it is located at the root of the system volume of the computer on which Windows7 is installed.
To get into it, you must perform the following sequential steps:
How to see hidden files and folders in Explorer?
The developer of Windows 7 hid some directories and files from inexperienced users so that they would not accidentally erase important files and folders from the computer's memory.
To make them appear, you can use several different ways. Below is an example of the implementation of the plan through the "PU" (Control Panel).
In order to display hidden content in the explorer window, you need to perform only a few of the following sequential steps:
Note: After completing the work with hidden directories and files, it is recommended to perform the above actions again, but the only difference in the instructions is that during the execution of stage number "5" you should not check and vice versa uncheck the box "Show hidden files, folders and disks ".
How to change the name of the user's directory in the "Seven"?
You cannot rename the system-specified “Users” shared directory in the root volume of the disk, but you can change the name of the user folders located in it. To do this, you need to take the following steps:
- Perform the actions described in points 1 to 4 of the very first paragraph of this instruction "How to find a folder?";
- Then, entering the "Users" directory, call the context from the user folder that you want to rename;
- Click "Rename" and enter a new directory name;
- Next, click "Start" and call the context from the "Computer" icon;
- Click on the line with the word "Management";
- Enter the section "Local users and groups";
- Go to the "Users" subsection;
- Call the context from the account, the folder of which has already been renamed in paragraph "3" above;
- Click "Rename";
- Print a new name;
- Click "Ok";
- Exit all running windows;
- Restart your PC;
- Ready.
Note: Execution of the above steps of actions is possible only with extended privileges of the system administrator.
After completing the instructions, after restarting the computer, it is recommended that you log on to the OS as a standard user. This will protect you and the information stored in the PC from the actions of malicious utilities.
Conclusion
Many users cannot find the "Users" folder in the root directory of the system volume, but this does not mean that it is not there. Windows 7 comes in a variety of versions and languages.
For example, as noted above, in the Russian version of "Seven" you need to search for the "Users" directory. However, in all versions of Windows 7 (it does not matter what language the operating system is in), you can enter this folder simply by typing the address "C: \ Users \" in English letters in the address bar of the explorer and clicking "Enter".
Of course, a prerequisite for successfully performing such an action is to work in the OS with administrator rights.
Many novice users are interested in how to find a file on a computer. Windows 7 or any other operating system is not that important. The principle of searching for documents on a computer is approximately the same. Especially when it comes to the Windows platform. In general, there are quite a few options for action. They are all very simple. But you will not only have to study them, but also to understand some of the features of the search. So how to find file and folders in Windows 7? What does the user need to know about this process? Perhaps, this procedure is subject even to those who are not yet familiar with the computer at all.
About search
The first thing worth paying attention to is that the search in Windows is carried out, as a rule, without additional software. This is a standard feature found on all operating systems. You do not have to download additional programs to help you find information on your PC.
How do I find a file on my computer? Windows 7 or any other version of the operating system is not that important. You need to understand that the process is extremely simple. It is enough to know the name of the file or folder you want to find. And do not fall for offers on the Web, which supposedly allow you to quickly search for information on your computer. It has already been said - no additional programs are needed for this!
Location address
How do I search for files in Windows 7? As soon as the data reaches the computer, it is assigned a special address. It is on it that information is searched for. All documents in the operating system have a similar component. There is not a single file without an address on the computer.
Usually it consists of the name of the hard disk partition on which the document is located, followed by the path to the desired object. It consists of folders. For example: C: / Windows / system32 / drivers / etc / host /.
Accordingly, the "host" document is located in the etc folder, which is located in drivers. That, in turn, is in a folder called "system32", located in Windows on the partition of the hard drive C. If you know the exact location of the document, you can quickly find it. This is why some recommend finding out or file. It can be used in the future. But more on that later. First, you need to figure out how to find the file on your computer (Windows 7).
Manually
The first method is well suited when either the location of the document is known, or simply there is not the slightest idea of how exactly the search subject is called. It is about self-detection of a document in the operating system. It is enough just to study the files and folders on the computer, to think exactly where this or that document may be located. This method is called Extremely unstable. But if the user at least roughly guesses where this or that information can be stored, such a solution can help.
If you know the exact location address, you can simply follow it. On the computer, the user searches for the partition of the hard disk and the folder in which the document is located. Further, the opening of the latter takes place. Inside, a specific file is searched for manually.
Exact jump to address
But this is only the first scenario. In practice, it is not often used if the user is not sure about the location of the document. How do I find a file on my computer? Windows 7 offers one tricky and interesting trick. It will only work when the exact location of the document is known.
It is not at all necessary to manually open all the folders in which the file is attached. If you have the exact location address, you can quickly open the source of the document. The best way to do this is to open Libraries. Next, copy the file address to the address bar and press Enter. A folder will open, in which a particular document or another folder is attached.
That is, when you need to find a host, you need to copy the inscription "C: /..../ etc" into the address bar. Then the etc folder will open, in which you will need to manually find the required document. Nothing difficult or special. But so far, situations have been considered in which the address is either known for sure, or known about it approximately. What if there is no such information?
Through "Start"
How do I find files on a Windows computer (XP, 7, 8, 10 is not that important)? In general, it is required to use the standard function of the operating system. It is called "Search". It is enough to know the name of the document to be found.
The first way to do a real quick search is to use the Start bar. How does the implementation of the idea come to life with this opportunity? The user must adhere to the following algorithm of actions:
- Click on the "Start" button in the left corner of the screen. A small menu will open.
- There is an empty field with a magnifying glass at the bottom of the service. On some operating systems, it says "Find programs and files". It is required to click there once with the left mouse button.
- A slider cursor appears. In the field you need to type the name of the file, program or folder.
- Press Enter and wait for the results.
Nothing else is needed. A few seconds of waiting - and the results will appear on the monitor. Perhaps the use of "Start" is the most common option. But there are other ways as well. Searching for files on a computer in Windows 7 is carried out by different methods.
Through additional windows
You can implement the idea within a specific folder. This is not as difficult as it seems. Usually the method helps when the user knows the approximate location of the document.
It is required to adhere to the following algorithm of actions:
- Open the root folder where the document can be located.
- Find a field with a magnifying glass in the upper right corner.
- Type the address or name of the document.
- See the search results.
For example, the situation will look like this: the user opens a partition of the C drive, then in the explorer finds the inscription "Search: Local drive (C :)". In this field, you need to write host and wait until all documents containing this word are found. Further, among the entire list, a specific document is manually searched for.
Filters
But that's not all. How do I quickly find a file on my computer? Windows 7 or any other version of Windows is not that important. Anyway, when it comes to newer types of Windows. You can use one trick. It will help you quickly find what you need among the results. The method builds on the previous method. It is about specifying search parameters.
The fact is that if you do not use filters, then often during the search you will have to look through a lot of documents and folders. It is clear how to find the file on the computer. How do I find the right one among the search results?
In this situation, it is proposed:
- Search for a particular folder.
- Click on the search bar in the upper right corner of the window.
- Mark the required filters and set their parameters. In this case, the name of the file or folder does not need to be erased. For example, you can select the type of document. In the case of host, this is .txt.
- Press Enter and look at the results again.
Accordingly, the screen will display all documents and files that meet all the search parameters. This is exactly how the implementation of the built-in Windows function of quickly detecting the necessary software is carried out.
Search service
Now it is clear how to find the file on the computer (Windows 7). But there is one more scenario. You can call a separate search service on your computer. To do this, you need to press a specific key combination. Then it will scan and search the entire operating system.
When using the standard function, you can follow the algorithm:
- Press Win + F. A window with a bluish background will open. This is the standard Windows search engine.
- The name of a file or folder is typed into the search bar (upper right corner, field with a magnifying glass).
- The user must press Enter and wait for the results. You can work with the search filters in advance. This will shorten the reported results.
By content
There is one more last trick. It's called "searching inside files and folders in Windows 7". Many users are familiar with it. To bring it to life, you need:
- Open this or that document / folder.
- Press Ctrl + F.
- In the appeared field on the right side of the screen, type the name of the document / folder / word.
- Click on "Enter".
This method is often used when working with Word. It not only helps to search for data within the text, but also facilitates the search for documents.
You know that not all directories are user-accessible. This was done by the OS developers for a reason. Let's take a look at why you need it and how to find a hidden folder in Windows 10.
What is it for
The developers have created hidden directories where data with important system information is stored. This is necessary so that the user does not accidentally delete the files used for the operation of the OS. Sometimes it becomes necessary to make them visible. This is necessary in order to:
- Clean your PC from "junk" files;
- For safety, so that a person does not accidentally delete the information necessary for the operation of the OS;
- When a virus hits.
Take seriously the data stored in hidden files, the stability of the system depends on it.
How to find a hidden folder on a Windows computer
Include directories in explorer.
Removing the "Hidden" attribute
Click on the file or directory with the right mouse button, then "Properties". 
Remove the checkbox opposite the corresponding item. 
Hidden folders on Windows 7 how to find
Follow the sequence of these steps:
How to find in Total Commander
Many people use this popular one for work, so let's look at how to enable the display of hidden information in it. To do this, go to "Configuration" - "Settings". 
Click on the link "Content of panels", mark the item as in the screenshot. 
Output
We've covered how to open a hidden folder. Use the methods described above to clean the system from malware and "junk files". Be careful not to delete the system information necessary for the OS to function.
