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

Anonymous
2009-11-27T05:51:54+00:00

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.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2009-11-27T14:10:58+00:00

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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  1. Anonymous
    2010-10-21T15:41:27+00:00

    Suddenly I find a solution to the Windows 7 search problem. Don't use the Search box just above START. Go to Computer (below Recent Items) and type *.doc or whatever into the search box top right of the Computer window. All of a sudden, following a few seconds indexing, there are all my docs. Just to make sure, I typed *house*.doc and behold all the files including 'house' in their name appeared. Just what I wanted! It also worked for *.pdf. However, I cannot believe that MS hid the search facility in such a weird place. MS - Tell your developers to put a 'Search' item on the front menu as it always did in the good old days.

    It has taken me more than two years to find this and I started with MSDos 3.2 so thought I knew MS inside out!

    Lorna Jenkin

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-10-15T04:43:28+00:00

     Thanks 'amuzeini'.  "Agent Ransack"  does exactly what I expected from Windows 7. The ability to Search Files, Words within files, easily and quickly.

    You can request ??????.doc or abcd.doc to search for words within all doc. files  or *.txt to find all text files etc.. So simple!

    Highly recommended!

     

     

    The name, "Agent Ransack", initially put me off but thanks to those who fed back their experience . I tried it, and it's fast, good functionality, small footprint etc... I'm really impressed.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-10-14T18:50:35+00:00

    Thanks 'amuzeini'.  "Agent Ransack"  does exactly what I expected from Windows 7. The ability to Search Files, Words within files, easily and quickly.

    You can request ??????.doc or abcd.doc to search for words within all doc. files  or *.txt to find all text files etc.. So simple!

    Highly recommended!

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-10-13T23:13:36+00:00

    Actually, this didn't work in the end. I think the problem is as Bigfeather describes it below.

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