How to Quickly Search for Emoji on Windows 10

Emoji aren’t just for texts anymore — they’re a quick way to add personality, tone, or fun to your messages, emails, documents, and social media posts. But if you’re on Windows 10, you might be wondering: How do I find the one I want without scrolling forever?

Here’s the fastest way to search for and use emoji on Windows 10.

The Shortcut You Need

Just press:

Windows key + . (period)
or
Windows key + ; (semicolon)

That’s it. This opens the built-in emoji picker.

How to Search

Once the emoji picker is open:

1. Start typing a word — like “smile,” “heart,” “food,” or “thumbs.”
2. Matching emoji will show up instantly.
3. Click the one you want, and it’ll be inserted right where your cursor is.

Tip:

The picker works in most apps — including browsers, Word, Outlook, Slack, and even Notepad.

Bonus: Symbols and Kaomoji

At the top of the emoji panel, you’ll see three tabs:

• 😀 Emoji
• 🈂️ Kaomoji (Japanese-style emoticons like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
• Ω Symbols (currency, math, arrows, etc.)

These tabs make it easy to find non-standard characters without needing to copy them from the web.

Quick Recap

• Open emoji picker: Windows + .
• Search by keyword: Just start typing
• Use in most apps: Works almost anywhere you can type

No more digging through websites or trying to remember ALT codes. Windows 10 makes emoji quick and easy.

Mark Vincent

Tech enthusiast and content creator passionate about making technology simple for everyone. I share practical tips, guides, and reviews on the latest in computers, software, and gadgets. Let’s explore the digital world together!