While previous versions of Windows offered an incredibly useful Start Menu Search feature, Windows 8 takes it to 11 with a new full-screen Start Search experience and integrated searching of virtually every useful new Metro-style app. It’s one of Windows 8’s best features.
Start Search works almost exactly like Start Menu Search from Windows 7. From the desktop, just tap WINKEY (or CTRL + ESC) and start typing. The standard Search experience appears, with a search pane on the right featuring Apps, Settings, and Files entries, plus icons for each Metro-style app that also supports searching.