# How to search all your messages on Windows

## Quick answer

In TextPort:

1. Click **Search conversations and messages** at the top.
2. Type a word.
3. Click **Messages** on the left.
4. Click a result.

The conversation opens at that message, with the word marked.

## What you need

- TextPort for Windows, with a backup open

## Steps

1. Type a word and click **Messages**

   Type in **Search conversations and messages**. Click **Messages** on the left. The messages found show.

   Tip: You can also press **Ctrl+Shift+F** to go to the search box.

2. Click a result

   The conversation opens at that message. The word is marked in yellow.

3. Click the arrows to see other matches

   They are under the conversation name. They go to the next match in this conversation.

4. Delete the word to close the search

   Delete it from the search box. The conversation list comes back.

   Tip: You can also press **Esc** when the cursor is in the search box.

## Done

You are at the message you were looking for.

## Problems

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **Open a backup to search** | Click **Messages**. Click **Choose a backup**. Pick a backup. |
| **Type at least 2 characters to search messages.** | Type one more letter or number. |
| **No messages contain “trail”.** | Try a shorter word, or another word from the message. TextPort searches only the backup that is open. |
| **No messages in Last 30 days contain “trail”.** | The date button above the list limits the search. Click **Search all dates**. |
| **No conversations match “trail”**, and **Messages** is already picked. | This can happen on your next search. Click **Conversations**. Then click **Messages**. |
| **Still preparing search. Some older messages may be missing.** | Wait a moment. Then search again. |
| **Couldn’t search this backup** | Click **Try again**. |
| None of these match. | Email [support@textportapp.com](mailto:support@textportapp.com). Say which step you were on. Say what you saw. We usually reply within a day. |

## Questions

### What does the Conversations tab show?

Conversations whose name, number, or email match your word. Click **Messages** to search the text of the messages.

### Can I search only one conversation?

Yes. Open it and click **Find**. See [Find words in a conversation](https://textport.com/guides/find-in-a-conversation-on-windows.md).

### Can I search another backup?

Yes. Open that backup first. Search covers only the backup that is open.

## Next guides

- [How to find words in a conversation on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/find-in-a-conversation-on-windows.md): You will find a word in one conversation and step through each place it shows.
- [How to find and read a conversation on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/find-and-read-a-conversation-on-windows.md): You will have the right conversation open on your PC, at the days you want.
- [How to export only some dates on Windows](https://textport.com/guides/export-only-some-dates-on-windows.md): You will get a file with only the days you picked from one conversation.

TextPort guide for Windows. Updated 2026-11-05. Web page: https://textport.com/guides/search-all-your-messages-on-windows