Windows 7: Search does not find files that it should, directory is indexed, and *.php included on the extension list

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Windows 7: Search does not find files that it should. I have the directory indexed, and *.php included on the extension list but search does not find files for searches for words that that I know there are files with those words in them.

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Anonymous

If you're frustrated with Search (a.k.a. Desktop Search), you are not alone. Click the Start button and type in Search and click on the command "Change how Windows searches". Now click on the Advanced button and select File types tab. Scroll down and locate your file type (in your case **.php)**and make sure that the radio button "Index Properties and File Contents" is selected for the file type.

Come out of the form by clicking the OK button but do not yet close the form where you clicked the Advanced button.

Next, you may need to modify the indexing locations. If the folder wherein your files are located is not known to the search indexing, then search doesn't even bother to look there (a source of frustration for many users). Perhaps your files are on a different disk or partition unbeknown to the indexing engine. Using the expand icon and select/deselect options, make sure that at least the folders of interest are included to the Indexed Locations. Hope this helps.

samc1

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162 additional answers

Anonymous

2011-02-13T22:37:05+00:00

I'm with PacificMike. I can't believe that Microsoft would leave such a glaring defect in an otherwise good product. I downloaded a Pdf file last night and of couse the computer put it in downloads. Later I wanted ito read it again so I just put in the first two letters of the name "AA..." and it found lots of others that started with "AA...."but not that one. So for grins I put in the complete name even though I knew where it was and again the search from the start menu did not find it. I've got to question how bright the computer geeks at Microsoft are.
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Anonymous

2011-01-31T23:06:56+00:00

I believe in my post providing the REGEDIT reset I did advise that other settings must be configured correctly as well.

This is a good place to repeat that advice.

If you do reset your Index in the registry it may not make any difference if the other search settings are not also configured correctly.

-dB
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Anonymous

2011-01-31T18:50:34+00:00

Terrypc,

Thanks! After trying the regedit method, as well as a plethora of other tips and solutions to no avail, your incredibly simple solution solved the problem! All I did was select "Search with public folders" and, like you said, voilà! Tks again!
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Anonymous

2011-01-20T15:16:07+00:00

@Stercorum

Can you explain what you did to turn it of completely? Does this also affect your Outlook search(2007)?

I have experienced the extremely bad search engine of Windows 7 too.

I don't know if this has anyting to do with it, but when I type 'Notepa' in the run/search box in my start menu it won't find anything. But when I type 'Notepad' it does find 1 result which is ofcourse 'notepad.exe'.

Even stranger is when I type 'kladblok'(dutch translation for notepad) in this same box it won't find anything. But when I type in 'kladblo' or anything shorter until 'kl' or even 'k' it does find 'kladblok' and puts in on top of the results in the start menu....

Let alone the strange results using Outlook and the 'query bar'(yellow search bar). This search tool is completely useless. Better use 'searchcriteria..' in Outlook.(the oldschool search tool) you have to add the button yourself, because it is not shown by default.
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