Save Windows File Explorer Search Results

Updated 5 November 2026 · Standard formula, shown below

Windows File Explorer does not have a built-in command to save a search as a reusable search folder, but you can save the results as a Search Folder file. Run the search, save it as a .search-ms file, and open that file later to rerun the search; it generally stores the search criteria, not a frozen copy of the results.

What a saved File Explorer search does

A saved search is a small Windows Search file that records the query and its scope, such as a folder or library. When you open it, Windows searches again and displays files that currently match. New matching files may appear, and files that no longer match may disappear.

This distinction matters: saving a search is not the same as exporting a list of filenames or copying the found files. If you need a permanent record of what appeared at a particular time, save or export a file list separately, or copy the files to another location. A .search-ms file is best understood as a reusable query.

Save the search as a .search-ms file

Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder or library you want to search. Starting in the right location helps ensure the search is scoped appropriately.
Click the search box in the upper-right area of the File Explorer window. Enter a word, filename, or supported search filter, then press Enter.
Refine the results if needed. Depending on your Windows version and the search, you can use filters such as file type or date modified, or enter search syntax such as kind:document or date modified:this week.
When the results are right, look for Save search in the search-related toolbar or ribbon. In some Windows versions, the command is on the Search tab. Choose it, enter a filename, select a location, and save.
Open the saved .search-ms file from that location whenever you want to run the search again.

The exact toolbar layout varies between Windows releases and File Explorer window layouts. If you do not see Save search, first make sure you have submitted a search and are viewing its results. Maximize the window and inspect the search-related commands; the option may be hidden in an overflow menu. If it is still unavailable, use the manual method below.

Choose a useful name and save location

Give the saved search a name that describes its purpose, such as Invoices modified this month or PDFs in Project Files. The name helps you identify the query; it does not change what the query searches for.

For your own use: save the file in Documents or another folder you routinely back up.
For quick access: save it somewhere convenient, then create a shortcut or pin that shortcut where you can find it. Availability of pinning options can vary by Windows version.
For sharing: share the .search-ms file only with an explanation of its search scope. Another person may not have access to the folders or drives it refers to, and the search may return different results on their PC.

A saved search does not make inaccessible folders searchable, grant permissions, or guarantee that every file on the computer is indexed. Its results depend on the locations Windows can search and the search settings in effect.

Create a search file manually

If File Explorer does not show a save command, you can create a basic saved search yourself. This is useful for a straightforward query, although manually editing the search definition is less convenient than saving it from File Explorer.

Open Notepad and enter a Windows Search query in a simple search file format. For example, a basic query can use an AQS (Advanced Query Syntax) condition such as System.FileName:~="report".
Save the file with a descriptive name and the .search-ms extension, for example Reports.search-ms. In Notepad’s Save As dialog, choose All files for the file type so the name is not accidentally saved as Reports.search-ms.txt.
Open the resulting file in File Explorer. If it does not open as a search, check that the extension is correct and that the file contents are valid.

Search syntax can be particular: a condition that is valid in one context may not produce the intended result in another. For most people, saving a completed search from File Explorer is simpler and less error-prone. Avoid downloading or opening search files from unknown sources; a search file can specify locations and query behavior you did not intend.

Search scope, indexing, and changing results

File Explorer searches are affected by where you start and by Windows Search indexing. A search started in a particular folder usually focuses on that folder and its subfolders; searching from a broader location can include more files. Some locations may be searched without being indexed, which can take longer. Network shares, removable drives, and cloud-backed folders can also behave differently depending on availability, permissions, and configuration.

Search filters are useful when a broad query returns too much. For example, search for kind:picture to narrow toward image files, or combine a name with a date filter. The precise properties Windows can search depend on file type and indexing. If you alter the query after saving, save it again under the same name if you want the saved file to use the updated criteria.

One common misconception is that a saved search is a snapshot. It is not: opening it reruns the query against the locations and files available at that time. If the original folder is renamed, moved, disconnected, or no longer accessible, the saved search may not behave as expected.

If saving or reopening does not work

No Save search command: confirm that a search has been run and inspect the Search tab or toolbar overflow. If the command is absent, try the manual method.
The file opens as text: check that its real extension is .search-ms, not .search-ms.txt. In File Explorer, enable file-name extensions in the View options if you need to inspect the full name.
Results are missing: check the search scope, folder permissions, drive connection, and whether the files are currently available. Indexing can affect speed and coverage.
Results changed: this is normal for a rerun search. Files may have been added, removed, renamed, or modified since the last time you opened it.
The file works on one PC but not another: the other PC may not have the same folders, drives, permissions, or indexed content.

If the query is important, test the saved file after moving or renaming it, and keep a note of which folder it is intended to search. The saved search file is small, but it cannot preserve the contents of a drive or guarantee future access to a location.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I save a File Explorer search in Windows?
Yes. Run the search, choose Save search if the command is available, and save the resulting .search-ms file. Opening it later reruns the query.

Where are saved Windows searches stored?
They are stored wherever you chose to save the .search-ms file. You can place it in a personal folder or another accessible location; it is not a copy of the matching files.

Does a saved search update automatically?
It is not a live results window that must remain open. When you open the saved search, Windows runs the query again, so the results can reflect changes since the previous run.

Can I save the search results as a list?
A .search-ms file saves the query, not a permanent list of results. For a snapshot, record or export the filenames using a separate method, or copy the relevant files to a dedicated folder.

Can I share a saved search with someone else?
You can share the .search-ms file, but it may not find the same files on another computer. The recipient needs access to the relevant locations, and their available files and indexing may differ.

Method: the standard formula for this calculation, rounded as each result states. See how the calculators work or report an error.