If you have been using 10.5 Leopard , you know that when you used the search box for finding a file,  spotlight would search the whole computer. This is fine, but it can take longer. A new feature in OS 10.6 SNOW LEOPARD, you can now set a default to search just the current folder you have open in Finder.

Here is how to do it:

1. Click on the 'Finder'.

2. Go to 'Finder -> Preferences'.

3. Select 'Advanced' and choose 'Search the current folder'. You can also choose to 'Search this Mac',  or 'use the previous search scope'.