Searching the Knowledge Base



  •   We have redesigned the search interface based on your valuable feedback. It is now permanently available on the left side of this site so that you can see the results of your search as well as the search query you made.

    The Knowledge Base has more than 250,000 articles, created by thousands of support professionals who have resolved issues for our customers. It is regularly updated, expanded, and refined to ensure that you have access to the very latest information.

    Already know the Knowledge Base Article Number (e.g. Q123456)? Enter it here and click the Green button to view it:

Obtaining the Best Search Results

  • Use more than one word and check for correct spelling
          Good examples:
    • setup requirements RAM
    • no sound volume mute
          Bad examples:
    • how much RAM is needed to run Windows 2000? (too specific; too many words; may return no results)
    • sound (too general; will return too many results)

  • Find the lingo
    When you're reading the search results, look for commonly used terms, and then use them in your search.

  • Avoid exact text
    Often, no results will be found when typing the exact text provided in the product's help section or from an error message. Use a few of the words instead.

More Obtaining the Best Search Results...

Knowledge Base Search Setting Definitions

  • Search (KB)
    Click the Search (KB) drop-down list and then select the Microsoft product.

  • For solutions containing
    Type the words you would expect to find in the pages that contain your answer. For more help, refer to the Obtaining the Best Search Results section.
    • Click the green arrow to start your search, or press ENTER.
    • To refine your search, click the Optionslink to reveal more options that you can set.

  • Using the search settings
    Use the search settings to specify how the search program should search for the words typed in the For solutions containing text box.
    • All of the words entered (default) - Shows only pages that contain all of the words typed. For example, typing "sound volume", will return results that contain both "sound" and "volume."
    • Any of the words entered - Shows pages that contain any of the words typed, in any order. For example typing "sound volume", will return results that contain either "sound" and "volume."
    • The exact phrase entered - Only shows pages that contain all of the words in the exact order typed.
    • Boolean (text contains AND/OR) - Customize your search further by including and excluding words or groups of words.
      AND         Shows pages that contain both of the words specified.
      OR           Shows pages that contain either of the words specified.
      AND NOT  Shows pages that do not contain the words specified.

More Knowledge Base Search Setting Definitions...
Last Review : July-30-09