Start Menu and Search: Finding Apps, Files, and System Tools

What the Start Menu Is For

The Start menu is the main hub for finding and launching things on your PC. It typically combines three ideas in one place: a list of installed apps, a set of pinned (favorite) items for quick access, and a search box/typing-to-search experience. It also provides account/session actions (like locking or signing out) and power options (sleep, restart, shut down).

How the Start Menu Organizes Apps

Windows organizes apps so you can browse even when you don’t know the exact name. Common patterns you may see include:

• Alphabetical app list (A–Z) with folders or publisher groupings.
• Pinned area for apps you choose to keep at the top for quick launching.
• Recently added/used suggestions (if enabled), which can help you return to what you opened lately.

Even if the layout looks different on different PCs, the core idea stays the same: browse by list or launch by search.

Power Options and Account/Session Actions

The Start menu usually includes a place to manage your session and power state. These actions are useful when you’re stepping away or troubleshooting.

Common account/session actions

• Lock: keeps your apps open but requires your password/PIN to return.
• Sign out: closes your session; you’ll need to sign in again (often used on shared PCs).
• Switch user: lets another person sign in without closing your apps (availability varies).

Common power actions

• Sleep: low-power mode; resumes quickly.
• Restart: reboots Windows; often used after updates or when something is stuck.
• Shut down: turns the PC off.

Tip: If you can’t find these options, open Start and look for a power icon or a menu near your user/account picture.

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Three Reliable Ways to Launch Programs

1) Launch from the app list (browse)

Use this when you want to explore what’s installed.

• Open the Start menu.
• Find the app list (often alphabetical).
• Scroll to the app and select it to open.

Example: To open Calculator by browsing, open Start, go to the C section, and select Calculator.

2) Launch from pinned items (favorites)

Pinned items are shortcuts you choose for fast access.

• Open the Start menu.
• Select a pinned app to open it.

When to use: apps you open frequently (browser, email, notes, screenshots tool).

3) Launch by typing to search (fastest)

Search is often the quickest method because you don’t need to browse. In many Windows setups, you can simply open Start and begin typing.

• Open the Start menu (or click in the Search box if you see one).
• Type the name of the app (even partial names usually work).
• Select the best match to open it.

Example: Type calc to find Calculator, or type note to find Notepad.

Search as a Universal Windows Concept

Search in Windows is not only for apps. It can find:

• Apps (installed programs and built-in tools)
• Documents (files such as Word, PDF, text files)
• Settings (system options you can open directly)
• System tools (utilities like Device Manager, Command Prompt, etc.)

Understanding result categories

Search results are often grouped into categories such as “Apps,” “Documents,” “Settings,” and sometimes “Web” or “Best match.” The exact labels vary, but the skill is the same: look at the category to confirm you’re opening the right type of result.

Searching apps vs documents vs settings (how to choose)

• If you know the tool name (e.g., “Snipping Tool”), search the app name.
• If you know what you want to change (e.g., “sound”), search the setting topic.
• If you’re looking for a file, search a filename, a keyword in the name, or the file type (e.g., .pdf).

Open file location from search results

When Search finds a document, you often need the folder it’s stored in (to attach it to an email, copy it, or see related files). Many search interfaces provide an option like Open file location.

Typical steps:

• Search for the document by name.
• In the results list, select the document (single click/right click depending on your interface).
• Choose Open file location to open the folder containing the file.

Tip: If you don’t see “Open file location,” look for a “More” menu, a right-click context menu, or a side panel with actions.

Built-in Tools You’ll Use Often (and How to Find Them)

Windows includes several tools that are useful for everyday tasks. The fastest way to open them is usually Start + typing to search.

Calculator

• Search for Calculator or type calc.
• Use it for quick math, unit conversions, and basic calculations.

Notepad (simple text notes)

• Search for Notepad.
• Use it for plain-text notes, copying/pasting unformatted text, and quick edits to small text files.

Screenshot / snipping tool equivalents

Windows typically includes a built-in screenshot tool (often called “Snipping Tool” or similar). It lets you capture part of the screen and save or copy it.

• Search for Snipping or Snipping Tool.
• Open it and choose a capture mode (rectangle, window, full screen) if offered.

Settings and Control Panel entry points

Windows provides system configuration through Settings and (in many environments) Control Panel. You can open either directly from Search.

• Search for Settings to open the main Settings app.
• Search for a topic (e.g., printers, network, display) to jump directly to a relevant settings page.
• Search for Control Panel when you need classic configuration tools that may still be used in some workplaces.

Practical tip: If you’re not sure whether something is in Settings or Control Panel, just search the feature name (for example, mouse or keyboard) and open the best match.

Practice: Use Start and Search for Everyday Tasks

Practice 1: Find and open an app via Search

1. Open the Start menu.
2. Type notepad (or calc).
3. In the results, select the app result to open it.
4. Close the app when done.

Practice 2: Locate a document using Search

1. Open the Start menu (or Search).
2. Type part of a document name you know (example: invoice or resume).
3. Look under the Documents (or similar) category.
4. Select the correct file to open it.

If you don’t have a known document to search: create a quick file first (for example, open Notepad, type a line, save it with a unique name like PracticeSearchFile, then search for that name).

Practice 3: Open the document’s folder (Open file location)

1. Search again for the same document.
2. In the results, use the actions menu (right-click or “More” options).
3. Select Open file location.
4. Confirm the folder opens and the file is highlighted (common behavior).

Practice 4: Pin and unpin an app in Start (where available)

Pinning keeps an app easy to find. Unpinning removes it from the pinned area but does not uninstall it.

1. Open Start and search for Calculator (or any app you use often).
2. Open the app’s context menu (often right-click on the result).
3. Select Pin to Start (or similar wording).
4. Open Start and confirm it appears in the pinned area.
5. Right-click the pinned item and choose Unpin from Start to remove it.

Note: If you don’t see pin/unpin options, your device may be using a layout or policy that limits Start customization. In that case, rely on Search for quick access.