Guide
Windows tip: how to get better search results in Windows
by Florian Bodoky
Photo tip: Trim Windows Explorer for photo suitability
7.1.2019
Translation: machine translated
Manage images with Windows Explorer? Yes, you can. But you have to configure it correctly first.
Windows Explorer is certainly not the fastest and best solution for photo management, but Windows can do more than many people think. With RAW files, the following tips will only work if you have software on your computer that can read these files.
How to always see the most important metadata
Open your image folder in Explorer. Now switch from the "Start" tab at the top to "View" and select "Details". The files and folders now appear in a table layout.
The columns are labelled at the top, for example with "Name", "Date modified" or "Type". Right-click on one of these labels. A menu will appear where you can select which file properties should be displayed. Select "More..."
Countless file properties for all possible file types appear here. This also includes the Exif information - metadata that the camera writes to the file when taking the photo. Here are the most important ones:
| Property | Remarks | **Example |
|---|---|---|
| 35mm focal length | Focal length that a 35 mm camera would have with the same image section, important for mobile and compact cameras | 52 mm |
| Recording date | Also includes time | 06.11.2018 10:39 |
| Exposure time | 1/125 sec. | |
| Aperture number | F/5.6 | |
| Focal length | 35 mm | |
| ISO film speed | ISO-400 | |
| Camera manufacturer | NIKON CORPORATION | |
| Camera model | NIKON D7500 | |
| Light value | is normally called exposure compensation | -0.7 Step(s) |
| Programme mode | Exposure programme (P, A, S or M) | Automatic timer |
| White balance | is normally called white balance | Automatic |
Select the ones you find most useful in the overview. Also select "Ratings" and "Markers" if you need them. One is star ratings from 1 to 5, the other is keywords.
Save the view so that Windows always displays image directories like this:
Tab View, click on "Options" on the far right, the folder options appear. Click on the "Apply to folder" button here.
Search for meta data
You can search for meta data in the search field of the Explorer window. Type one of the criteria into the search field, followed by a colon. If the font turns blue, this means that you have typed the name of the property correctly. Because you need to know the exact name, I have listed them all above.
Select "All subfolders" to search the entire image collection. However, this can take a long time.
Examples:
Exposure time:<0.01
Finds all photos that were exposed at less than 1/100 second
ISO film speed:>3200 AND camera manufacturer:Nikon
Finds all photos taken with a Nikon camera and with more than 3200 ISO
Typing such search queries over and over again is tedious. However, there is a pop-up menu "Recent searches" in the search bar. You can also save searches that you will need again later. Windows then creates a file with the extension .search-ms, which you can simply double-click to display the current hit list.
Change meta data
If you activate the "Detail area" in the view options, a list of properties will appear on the far right, which you can also edit directly. Don't forget the spokes!
David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
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