Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 offer the Start Search box for quickly finding fil...

Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008 offer the Start Search box for quickly finding files. The same capability is in Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 through the Search programs and files box. In both cases these boxes are also used to run programs and command line commands, or to start the Command Prompt window. In this project you learn how to use the Start Search and Search programs and files boxes in Windows Vista/7 and Windows Server 2008/Server 2008 R2.

To use the Start Search and Search programs and files boxes:

1. Click Start.

2. In Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 type windows in the Start Search box at the bottom of the Start menu; or in Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R8 type windows in the Search programs and files box (see Figure 2-29). Notice that the operating system interactively searches as you are typing.

3. Click Windows Explorer on the search menu to start Windows Explorer.

4. Close the Windows Explorer window.

5. As an alternative, you can start a program directly by entering its full name in the Start Search or Search programs and files boxes. Click Start and enter Windows Explorer in the Start Search or Search programs and files box. Press Enter.

6. Close Windows Explorer.

7. Click Start.

8. Type cmd in the Start Search or Search programs and files box and press Enter. You’ll see the Command Prompt window (see Figure 2-30).

9. In the Command Prompt window type dir at the command prompt and press Enter to list the directories and files in your current directory.

10. Close the command prompt window.