Microsoft QLF-00195 manual Improved Search Relevance, Federated Search

Windows 7 for You: Simplifies Everyday Tasks

Easier to Find Things

Improved Search Relevance

When searching for something, you probably want to find it quickly without spending a lot of effort wading through extraneous items. Windows 7 makes search results more relevant and easier to under- stand. The search engine uses an improved algorithm to determine relevance and rank results. Within your search results, words from the search query appear highlighted within snippets of file content, file names, file paths, and tags so you can easily see why they were included in your results.

Highlighted words help demonstrate

the relevance of search results.

It’s also simpler to specify where you want to search, whether it is in a specific folder on a hard disk drive or in a Library. Searches initiated from the Start menu look at all the data in your Libraries, while searches conducted from Windows Explorer look within the particular folder or Library that you’re already browsing.

In addition, the Query Builder feature—found in the Search box in Windows Explorer—helps you search smarter by presenting dynamic filter suggestions that help you narrow your results. The Query Builder uses the properties and metadata of your documents to help you refine your search results. For example, you can refine a search in your Documents Library by date modified or docu- ment type you are looking for. The Search box also shows you a list of your recent searches in case you want to run them again.

Federated Search

Most people don’t store all their files and content in one place. Instead, their information is scat- tered across multiple PCs, external hard disk drives, servers, and Web sites. With Federated Search in Windows 7, you can extend your search beyond your PC—and even beyond your Libraries—to find what you need. Just add a search connector to your favorite locations to Windows 7, and you can search them as well.

Note: For more information, please see the “Windows 7 for IT Professionals” section of this document.

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