Windows 11 comes with the built-in File Explorer utility, a tool that provides a graphical user interface for accessing files on a device. However, users can make file searches even more effortless by attaching tags. This article will show you how to add tags to files in Windows 11.
File tags are keywords that help you organize your files. While these are not folders, they may be used to group files. So, for example, you may use the ‘work’ tag to tag all work-related files and the ‘personal’ tag to group all your personal files. This way, you may search for tags rather than file names.
What Type of Files Can I add Tags to on Windows 11?
At the time of writing this article, you can only add tags natively to Microsoft Office documents (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx) and images (.jpg, .jpeg). We hope more file formats will be included. However, using third-party tools or software, you may add tags to other file formats.
How do I add tags to a file in Windows 11?
1. Add File Tags Using the Properties Dialog Box
On Windows, the Properties dialog box shows important file information such as file size, type, date created, name, etc. You may also use this tool to change some file attributes or even include or update file tags.
Step 1: Locate the file you need to update.
Step 2: Right-click it and select Properties from the context menu.
Step 3: Click the Details tab, click the Tag option, and type your tag. Note that you may add multiple tags by separating them with a semicolon.
Step 4: Click Apply and OK, and that’s how to add tags to files in Windows 11.
2. Add Tags to Windows 11 Files Using Windows Explorer’s Details Pane
Windows Explorer used to be called File Explorer. It is a native file manager application on the Windows OS that offers a GUI for file presentation. Using this tool, you may also perform some file manipulation, like adding tabs.
Step 1: Press Windows + E to open the Windows Explorer.
Step 2: Navigate to the path with the file.
Step 3: Click on the View menu, select Show, then click Details pane.
Step 4: Click the file that needs a tag, then click the Add a tag text field, type your tag, and click Save.
3. Add Tags to Windows Files Using Third-party Tools
So far, we have demonstrated how to add tags using native Windows methods. However, you may also employ third-party solutions to tag your files on Windows 11. There are many of them; a quick Google search will show you some options. However, we recommend using a solid antivirus before downloading or installing any app from the internet.
How to Add File Tags to Microsoft Office Documents on Windows 11
Above, we have seen how to add tags to files poon your Windows 11 devices. However, the process may differ on doc files. Below is how to add tags on Windows 11 doc files.
Step 1: Launch the Microsoft Word application.
Step 2: Open the file you need to tag.
Step 3: Click File at the top left menu corner.
Step 4: Click the Save as option, then click Browse.
Step 5: Click Add a tag, then type in your tag and click the Save button.
How do I Find File Tags on Windows 11?
If you have gone through this guide, you should have successfully added tags to your desired file. Let us show you how to find your files using tags.
1. Find Tagged Files Using Windows Explorer Search Feature
Step 1: Press Windows + E to open Windows Explorer.
Step 2: Type the search command below in the search box and hit enter. Note to include the tag name in place of ‘tag name’.
tag: 'tag name'
2. Find Tagged Files Using the Tags Column
Step 1: Press Windows + E to open the Windows Explorer.
Step 2: Navigate to the path with the file.
Step 3: Click on the View menu, select Show, then click Details.
Step 4: Right-click on any column header and select Tags to add a tag column.
Step 5: Now, you may click the tag column header to sort the files by tags.
FAQ on How to Add Tags to Files in Windows 11
1. What program adds tags to files?
There are many options to choose from, and Tag Explorer is just one of the many.
2. Can you tag PDF files in Windows?
Unfortunately, you can not use Windows Tags on all file formats; PDFs fall under this category.
3. Why do we add tags?
You may use tags on your files because they give a logical grouping and make it easy to find a set of files.
Final Thoughts
Tagging files on Windows may come in handy for different reasons. Regardless of why you need tags, using any of the solutions discussed in this guide would be best.
Note that they are not given in any particular order, so you should try what seems the most practical. If you have any questions, we love to read them in the comment section.