Windows Vista: Creating Virtual Folders

Windows Vista has a great new feature called 'Virtual Folders' that allows you to find documents that match a specific search pattern that you defined. Basically virtual folders are nothing more then a file that contains a saved search. When you open the file it opens like a folder and displays the files that match the results of your original search.

To create a virtual folder:

• Press the WinKey+F, this brings up a search window.
• In the Search field type the words that you want to search for.
• When you have your search just the way you like it press the 'Save Search' button.
• Give your saved search a name (such as: "Personal Receipts")

Your saved search will be placed in to the Search folder by default. Although you can save it anywhere you like. Personally I like to save them on the Desktop because they're easier to access.

Now all you have to do is open up the saved search and you have yourself a virtual folder. The file in this folder gets updated dynamically whenever it is open, which means any files that match your search get displayed.