[Pete Alvarez]

So, I've used the search function to find it, but I don't seem to see an answer. (I only looked for about 10 minutes, so it may just be buried deeper)

I've had my Lumia 810 for about a week, and so far I'm loving it. I was nervous about switching from android, but I think I made a good choice.
For the most part, I'm getting used to the new way of doing things, but there are a couple of issues I have.

1. Is there any way to just browse the file folders on the SD card from within the phone itself? I use my phone's SD card as storage for a lot of files (office documents, pdfs, etc.) and I want to be able to just dig through the file folders like in windows explorer. Android did this easily, and I just assumed that windows would let me look at file folders on the phone the way windows lets me look at file folders on the desktop. This just seems like a really odd functionality to be missing, and I'm hoping that I am just overlooking it, or at least there is an app that functions like explorer.

2. Is there a way to change the search button so that it uses a different software. I installed the google search app, because bing just doesn't bring up results I am interested in, but I would like to be able to go straight to it from the search button.

[Vaibhav Chauhan]

1. No, WP doesn't have a file explorer in the phone itself yet, you can access music from Music + Videos or Nokia Music, videos in Music + Videos, documents from the office app. (Documents should be on phone memory, and i think documents in sub-folders in "Documents" folders dont show up, also, PDFs wont come up in PDF reader app, you have to open them from office app only)
2. No, search button is bing only. For google you need to use the browser.

[Ben Loomis]

I would desperately like a Windows Explorer app to be able to move files around and keep thing organized. I don't want to have to take the SD card out of the phone on a regular basis.

As far as the Search Engine question goes; one can go to Settings, swipe left to Applications, go to IE and then to Advanced. At this point you will be able to select to use Bing (default (of course)) or Google (glad the choice it there at least!).

The Lumia Storage Checker app may work for some people, doesn't work for my 620 now. I'm hoping for some type of update to allow that to work. It will allow for storage of Nokia offline maps on the SD card! I love offline maps as I don't have a data plan and no one has 100% coverage that would allow for totally reliable navigation.

Ben

[N_LaRUE]

So, I've used the search function to find it, but I don't seem to see an answer. (I only looked for about 10 minutes, so it may just be buried deeper)

I've had my Lumia 810 for about a week, and so far I'm loving it. I was nervous about switching from android, but I think I made a good choice.
For the most part, I'm getting used to the new way of doing things, but there are a couple of issues I have.

1. Is there any way to just browse the file folders on the SD card from within the phone itself? I use my phone's SD card as storage for a lot of files (office documents, pdfs, etc.) and I want to be able to just dig through the file folders like in windows explorer. Android did this easily, and I just assumed that windows would let me look at file folders on the phone the way windows lets me look at file folders on the desktop. This just seems like a really odd functionality to be missing, and I'm hoping that I am just overlooking it, or at least there is an app that functions like explorer.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a file explorer/file manager of any type. What I've heard so far is that the total security that WP8 OS relies on is that no apps can access a file location so if a file explorer was implemented then it would compromise the OS. Allowing viruses and other malware. I am hoping that this isn't true but I wouldn't be surprised if it is.

Skydrive and Office hub are the closest things you have to any sort of 'file manager' and that's probably all you'll ever have on WP.

2. Is there a way to change the search button so that it uses a different software. I installed the google search app, because bing just doesn't bring up results I am interested in, but I would like to be able to go straight to it from the search button.

As the others have stated you can't change the search button to anything other than Bing, you also can't shut it off. IE is also the only browser you can have as default. You're stuck to what files you can download and what files can be attached to emails.

So aside from the fact that you probably won't find all the apps you had on Android you also get less functions than you're used to. Welcome to WP :)

[Lumio]

From what i've read on a forum, there's a trick for setting "Google" as your default search instead of Bing, if you fiddle with settings.

Settings > System > language + region > Browser & Search language
- Set it to Russian (russia)

Now the search button should open "Google" (Russia) instead of Bing, though the search results will be in English only.

[Markus G]

2. Is there a way to change the search button so that it uses a different software. I installed the google search app, because bing just doesn't bring up results I am interested in, but I would like to be able to go straight to it from the search button.

Answer to your question #2. This is easy.

I have a Nokia Lumia 620, but you should be able to do this on all Windows 8 Phones:
1) Open your IE browser
2) Select "Settings" from the menu.
3) Hit the "Advanced Settings" button.
4) Select "Google" as your default search provider instead of Bing.

[N_LaRUE]

Answer to your question #2. This is easy.

I have a Nokia Lumia 620, but you should be able to do this on all Windows 8 Phones:
1) Open your IE browser
2) Select "Settings" from the menu.
3) Hit the "Advanced Settings" button.
4) Select "Google" as your default search provider instead of Bing.

Um, they stated 'Search Button', as in the physical button, not IE search. Doing what you suggest does not change the search button default.

[arunlobo]

For one you can see this

Kirik SD File Viewer | Windows Phone Apps+Games Store (United States)

[vish2801]

For one you can see this

Kirik SD File Viewer | Windows Phone Apps+Games Store (United States)

Did anybody check this application?? Can we open files, share files via this application???

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[N_LaRUE]

Did anybody check this application?? Can we open files, share files via this application???

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

I don't have an SD card so can't test. Some files you can view directly others need to be renamed (I don't like that idea much) but it appears you can open the file as long as there's a program but you can't do much else as it states SD is Read Only.

[vish2801]

I don't have an SD card so can't test. Some files you can view directly others need to be renamed (I don't like that idea much) but it appears you can open the file as long as there's a program but you can't do much else as it states SD is Read Only.

Yeah, just read article about this app in wmpoweruser. You can't edit,move,copy,etc due to Read-Only thing. Limited support for some files now. But you can view it by renaming format to .kirik, .pdf is included but no office files. I hope they will add support for more file formats. Though it's limited, it's a start. I hope MS would bring some openness for SD card & so we can have limited file manager for at least SD card files. Hope.... ;)

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

[arunlobo]

PDFs can be viewed and opened directly. Office files or any other files can be opened by adding .kirik to their extension. ANY FILE will work if there is an opener app.

[charliechaplin1]

hi you know how you said that android phones you could access the SD card files on the mobile phone? well i have an android phone and don't know how to do it . could you please tell me? thanks, charliechaplin1

[Vaibhav Chauhan]

Wrong forum.
But still, simply go to play store and search file manager or file browser. You'll get tons of options.

hi you know how you said that android phones you could access the SD card files on the mobile phone? well i have an android phone and don't know how to do it . could you please tell me? thanks, charliechaplin1

[API_Rock]

Use This APP its awesome,
Pocket File Manager | Windows Phone Apps+Games Store (भारत)

Awesome thanks, before using this app I was telling everyone that I cant send Video from my windows phone, but now I can proudly say yes I can send, thanks hats off to the developer, even I can send PDF as well. Now I no more need any file manager

[detealin]

Hey guys!
Im 4 days in to Windows Phone. Coming from android, it's getting harder and harder to adapt to it. Here are two aspects im having trouble with:
1. I connect my Lumia 520 to my PC. The 'Windows Phone app for desktop' works just great: i can store, browse, whatever - but Nokia Suite isnt recognizing the Phone. My phone does not display the option to connect by Nokia Suite when I plug it in the USB. Is there something im missing out here?
[Im running windows7(x86)]
2. I understand i can't browse through the files (read the posts above) but is there any place i can find files that are not common for WP? (not music, videos, pictures, pdfs, .xlsx, .doc... whatever).
Thanks a lot!

[raccoon210]

Why do you need to connect to Nokia suite? Are you gonna flash you phone? And for 2 what files are you trying to look for?

[ag1986]

Hey guys!
Im 4 days in to Windows Phone. Coming from android, it's getting harder and harder to adapt to it. Here are two aspects im having trouble with:
1. I connect my Lumia 520 to my PC. The 'Windows Phone app for desktop' works just great: i can store, browse, whatever - but Nokia Suite isnt recognizing the Phone. My phone does not display the option to connect by Nokia Suite when I plug it in the USB. Is there something im missing out here?
[Im running windows7(x86)]
2. I understand i can't browse through the files (read the posts above) but is there any place i can find files that are not common for WP? (not music, videos, pictures, pdfs, .xlsx, .doc... whatever).
Thanks a lot!

#1 - Nokia PC Suite is not applicable to WP8.

#2. No.

[kreativmaestro]

I too just switched from great Android TAB 2 to Nokia Lumia 520.

Tried file manager which doesnt exist and Googling couldn;t answer too :(
Tried Inserting Android SD Card into WP, again I couldn;t browse.
Most of the Google Applications aren't available for Windows Phones, which isn;t that good. I dint like this strategy at all. Rivals are between Google & Windows, why customers suffer. :(

Now, changing to WIndows is a fun in the way that its superb fast but I'm still looking for features of Android, which hangs my TAB too often... :)

[azcruz]

Folks, somebody already posted that by design, applications are sandboxed. So a file explorer will never happen until a new API or WP OS is made.

[Optiplex330]

As far as the Search Engine question goes; one can go to Settings, swipe left to Applications, go to IE and then to Advanced. At this point you will be able to select to use Bing (default (of course)) or Google (glad the choice it there at least!).
Ben

I have an unlocked ATIV S without any updates and I don't have that option to select Google like you mentioned. Any idea why?

[Optiplex330]

1. Is there any way to just browse the file folders on the SD card from within the phone itself? I use my phone's SD card as storage for a lot of files (office documents, pdfs, etc.) and I want to be able to just dig through the file folders like in windows explorer. Android did this easily, and I just assumed that windows would let me look at file folders on the phone the way windows lets me look at file folders on the desktop. This just seems like a really odd functionality to be missing, and I'm hoping that I am just overlooking it, or at least there is an app that functions like explorer.
.

I know EXACTLY how you feel, coming from Symbian myself and that one has file manager. Because I am often in areas with no Internet connection, I need to have my documents in phone itself and I have a shock when I couldn't just copy & paste those document into my ATIV S. I nearly fainted.

To cut a story short, AFAIK, the only apps that could do some of the thing of file manager would be Pocket File Manager but it has a learning curve. What you need to do is:
1. Compress your document into rar
2. Copy the rar into your SD card
3. Copy your rar from SD card to phone memory
4. Unpack your rar.

Good luck.

And if anyone has a better idea, I would love to know and thank you in advance.

[N_LaRUE]

I have an unlocked ATIV S without any updates and I don't have that option to select Google like you mentioned. Any idea why?

You can only set Google as the search provider in IE only, you cannot set it as the search button on the phone unless you change your regional settings to Russian, or so I've been told.

Open IE go to Settings -> Advanced settings -> slide up -> Default search provider -> tap change to Google

[N_LaRUE]

I think we should just leave the file manger thing alone personally. This is Windows Phone, not Android. I understand the pain as I came from Symbian and I understand some people 'need' a file manager, however I don't see this being implemented personally. There are a lot of security issues surrounding this and MS is big on security these days. If anything does come in, expect it to be severally limited compared to Android. Unless they change the whole concept of WP and open the APIs more, there will never be a file manager like you probably want it.

There are so many people on this forum from Android and Symbian going on about this issue. You should have looked into what WP could do prior to coming on board and it's time we let this go. My suggestion is this, give it to WP8.1, if the features you're dying for are not implemented it will be time for you to move on.

That's my take on this.

[Optiplex330]

You can only set Google as the search provider in IE only, you cannot set it as the search button on the phone unless you change your regional settings to Russian, or so I've been told.

Open IE go to Settings -> Advanced settings -> slide up -> Default search provider -> tap change to Google

Nope, that option not in my ATIV S.