How to Search for Multiple File Types in Windows Explorer

To search for more than one file type in Windows File Explorer, use the ext: filter and join each extension with OR.

For example:

ext:.pdf OR ext:.docx

That returns PDF and Word files from the folder, drive, or location you are currently searching.

For three file types:

ext:.pdf OR ext:.docx OR ext:.xlsx

This is the method I recommend when you know the exact extensions you want to find.

The Basic Pattern

Use:

ext:.type1 OR ext:.type2

Examples:

ext:.jpg OR ext:.png

ext:.mp4 OR ext:.mkv

ext:.xlsx OR ext:.csv

ext:.txt OR ext:.md

Open File Explorer with:

Windows + E

Navigate to the folder or drive you want to search, click the search box, and enter the query.

The search scope matters. A query entered inside Documents searches that location, while the same query entered from a whole drive or This PC can return a much larger set of results.

Useful Queries You Can Copy

Here are the combinations I find most useful.

PDF and Word documents

ext:.pdf OR ext:.docx OR ext:.doc

Excel and CSV files

ext:.xlsx OR ext:.xls OR ext:.csv

PowerPoint files

ext:.pptx OR ext:.ppt

Common image formats

ext:.jpg OR ext:.jpeg OR ext:.png OR ext:.webp

Video files

ext:.mp4 OR ext:.mkv OR ext:.mov OR ext:.avi

Audio files

ext:.mp3 OR ext:.wav OR ext:.flac OR ext:.m4a

Text and Markdown

ext:.txt OR ext:.md

ZIP and 7Z archives

ext:.zip OR ext:.7z

You can add more extensions by repeating OR followed by another ext: filter.

Search From the Right Location

File Explorer searches from the place you currently have open.

If you know the files are in:

D:\Projects

open that folder first.

If you have no idea where they are stored, start from:

This PC

or from the drive you want to search.

Searching an entire drive can take much longer than searching one folder, especially when the location is not fully indexed.

Microsoft confirms that File Explorer can search files from the current folder or drive and that Windows Search indexing is used to speed up file searches.

Combine File Type With a Filename

You can narrow the search further when you remember part of the file name.

For example:

invoice ext:.pdf

or:

budget ext:.xlsx

For several formats, you can combine the filename with multiple extension conditions:

invoice (ext:.pdf OR ext:.docx)

If File Explorer behaves unpredictably with a complex query, simplify it.

Start with:

ext:.pdf OR ext:.docx

Then add the filename term after confirming that the extension search works.

Search by Date as Well as File Type

Windows Search also supports date-based filtering.

For files modified today:

modified:today

For PDF and Word files modified this week:

modified:this week (ext:.pdf OR ext:.docx)

Other useful date terms include:

modified:yesterday

modified:last week

modified:this month

This is useful when you remember roughly when you edited the file but not its exact name.

Search by Size

You can also add a size condition.

For video files larger than 100 MB:

size:>100MB (ext:.mp4 OR ext:.mkv)

For files smaller than 1 MB:

size:<1MB

This is useful when cleaning up storage or trying to find a large media file.

ext: vs kind:

Use ext: when the exact file format matters.

For example:

ext:.jpg OR ext:.png

returns those specific formats.

Use kind: when you only care about the general category.

For example:

kind:pictures

or:

kind:videos

If you want every image Windows recognizes as a picture, kind:pictures can be simpler than listing six or seven extensions.

If you specifically need JPG, PNG, and WebP files, use ext: instead.

Show File Extensions Before Searching

Windows can hide extensions by default, which makes it easy to mistake one format for another.

To display them:

1. Open File Explorer.
2. Select View.
3. Select Show.
4. Turn on File name extensions.

You will then see names such as:

report.pdf

photo.webp

budget.xlsx

If you need to change an extension rather than search for it, see How to Change File Type on Windows 11. Renaming an extension and converting a file format are not the same thing.

What to Check When File Explorer Finds Nothing

A correct query can still return no results when the search scope or index is wrong.

Start with the obvious checks.

Confirm the folder or drive

Make sure you are searching the location where the files actually exist.

Confirm the extension

An image you expect to be .jpg may actually be .jpeg, .png, .webp, or .heic.

Turning on File name extensions makes this easier to verify.

Give the search time to finish

Large drives, external disks, and network locations can search slowly.

Do not assume the first few results are the complete set while File Explorer is still working.

Check Windows indexing

Windows 11 currently provides Classic and Enhanced indexing modes.

Classic focuses on common locations such as Documents, Pictures, Music, and the desktop.

Enhanced indexes a much broader portion of the PC and can improve searches when files are stored in many locations, although it can use more system resources.

Open:

Settings > Privacy & security > Search

or Searching Windows, depending on the Windows 11 build.

Review:

• the current indexing mode
• excluded folders
• indexed locations

Microsoft’s current Windows Search documentation confirms these Classic and Enhanced modes.

If File Explorer repeatedly fails to find files that you know exist, use Windows 11 Search Bar Not Working? 17 Ways To Fix It for broader Windows Search and indexing repair.

When File Explorer Search Itself Is Stuck

If the search box freezes, stops responding, or does not refresh correctly, restart Windows Explorer.

Press:

Ctrl + Shift + Esc

Open Task Manager.

Find:

Windows Explorer

Right-click it and choose:

Restart

Then reopen File Explorer and run the search again.

For additional methods, see How to Restart File Explorer on Windows 11.

A Few Queries Worth Remembering

For two formats:

ext:.pdf OR ext:.docx

For several images:

ext:.jpg OR ext:.png OR ext:.webp

For documents changed this week:

modified:this week (ext:.pdf OR ext:.docx)

For large video files:

size:>100MB (ext:.mp4 OR ext:.mkv)

For a broad image search where the exact extension does not matter:

kind:pictures

The important part is choosing the narrowest search that matches what you actually know about the files. Start with extensions when format matters, then add a filename, date, or size filter only when you need to reduce the results further.