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

2010-05-19T04:08:26+00:00

I think I have discovered a bug that will explain much of what is going on wtih w7 search problems: specifically, I have found that W7 is NOT indexing files with "old" formats, such as ".doc" Word 2003 files. I note that if I bring up the file in Word 2007, and then use "SAVE AS" to save the file in Word 2007 format, then the file gets indexed and the complaints of people in this string vanish!!

Note that I HAVE used the Advanced search feature to instruct =w7 to search all the usual documant types, including ".doc", but it does not appear to be doing so.

I have checked this out several times with the same result.

Anyone know how I can tell WIndows to jsut convert ALL of my old files to the new formats at one swell foop?? Then w7 will index all the files.

This is a serious problem, since I am used to Google Desktop, which DOES index all the files, and I will have to go back to that if this bug is not fixed.

ron
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Anonymous

2010-05-17T21:33:08+00:00

I have the same problem. I've done everything you said, and run the trouble shooter which did not find a problem. If the feature truly does not work, I wish Microsoft would say so, and acknowledge that is working on the problem, rather than allowing customers, like me to spend hours trying to make it work.

So, my question is-- does Search work at all? If not when will Microsoft have a patch. If it does work, what else can I try.

Jim
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