This simple tutorial explains how to search files and folders on elementary OS. This uses Files, the default file manager of elementary OS, also known as Pantheon Files and io.elementary.files. It is not to be confused with Files, the file manager of Ubuntu also known as Nautilus. This is based on today's latest elementary OS 6 codenamed Odin and in the future it might change like any other software.

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Step 1. Open File Manager

On elementary OS, your file manager's name is Files. 

To open your file manager: open Applications Menu on top → click Files.

Step 2. Search

To start search, click address bar (or press Ctrl+F) → type your keyword → search result displayed in form of drop-down list → click one item to open it → press Esc to close search.

✋ elementary OS does not display search results like any other OSes but only in form of list without thumbnail previews at least up to version 6.

Step 3. Show More Results

To show more results in a search, do search → click More Results ... to bottom of the search result → click it again to show more (if any) → press Esc to close search.

Tips and Tricks

Outside of the search functionality, you can also do these:

Colors: right-click any file or folder → select a color of available colors → its file name colored. This trick helps you find files by colors!

Recent Files: go to Recent (below Home on your file manager's left panel) to find out files and folders you accessed around lately.

Show Hidden Files: right-click empty area → Show Hidden Files (or press Ctrl+H) to reveal hidden files and folders so you can find one among them. On elementary OS, hidden files are files or folders which each of names started with a dot such as .mydocument or .mytext.txt.

Sorting: right-click empty area → Sort by → Date will show you latest edited files and folders on top while alternatively Sort By → type will arrange up your files according to their file types so you can find a certain file quicker.

Happy computing!