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

2013-10-15T19:01:17+00:00

Nothing works for me. Search finds NOTHING. I have included everything for Change How Windows Searches AND for Change Search Options for Files and Folders. NOTHING is ever found. NOTHING--even when I'm looking at the file sitting in a folder.
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Anonymous

2013-09-13T18:36:29+00:00

@Brian100,

I tried your experiment but was able to find the test files straight away.

The A attribute, or archive flag, means that the file is ready to be archived, or backed up. It used to be used by Microsoft DOS backup utilities, but I don't think it has much of a function any more. The R flag is just "read-only". The files being read-only shouldn't make any difference to what you are experiencing.

It's interesting that your test files have the I attribute set, which means "don't allow the contents of this file to be indexed". I thought at first this might mean the search indexer would not index them at all, so you wouldn't find them, but that doesn't appear to be the case. (This corresponds to (right-click file), Properties | Advanced, (check-box)).

The group policy change would only affect files that you receive as attachments in the future, not files that are already present.

I think this issue is destined to remain obscure, but so long as you have a work-around, I guess that's OK. Anyway, good to talk to you. All the best,

Martin
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Anonymous

2013-09-12T19:09:14+00:00
JMWard,

I finally got around to trying option 2) - Group Policy Editor.

First I changed back to "Windows Photo Viewer" as my default application to see if it was still acting up. It was. I saved a test file called "test PO 1234.tif" then searched for 1234. Nothing found.

I changed group policy editor, rebooted and searched again - nothing found.

I saved a new test file called "test2 PO 1234.tif" and searched from File Explorer - nothing found.

I opened a command prompt and used the attrib command on 3 files:
1. the first test file
2. the 2nd test2 file
3. a random file that was saved by "Windows Photo Viewer" before May.
Hopefully the letter codes mean something to you:

files:
1. A R I
2. A R I
3. A
When I right-clicked the files in File Explorer 1) and 2) were read only and both had this message:

"This file came from another computer and might be blocked to help protect this computer."

File 3) was all unchecked with no message.

I went back into gpedit and made sure "Do not preserve zone information in file attchments" was still "enabled" - it was. Perhaps our system admins are enforcing GP another way.

Since I'm using a convenient work-around this is more for curiosity and a challenge.

Brian
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Anonymous

2013-09-02T16:13:36+00:00

'Indexed locations' unfortunately is rather poor in its dialog. Don't ask me how it got there, but in my C drive there are some excluded folders. When you want them to be included again, it is not te be done, for you can't find this folder in the dialog box. In my case the excluded folder have names that are not unique; a.o 'data'. Well, try to find the excluded data folder, there are dozens.

On Youtube I found this guy who had a solution for the slow search process problem (slow 'green bar'), that I had wherever I had to import a file in a application. He mentioned Explorer having a bug, that concerened the file types button you mention. He advised to set in to the first option, mine was set at 'documents' Until now, he turned out to be right.

I never had these issues with XP, so it's not me.

Ironically Windows is promoting using Google with this sloppy behavior of Explorer, for searching on the Net is quicker than searching your own drive.

Companies should avoid Windows after all, for organizing your documents on your harddrive (should save time (=money)) is made rather useless, for Windows renders your work traceless. I spend about four to six hours every week organizing my drive to prevent Search from 'Hide and Seek'. Friends who have a little business I advise Apple these days (and I háte these fanboys, so you can imagine), for they can't afford to spend these unproducitive hours and the risk of losing customers.

Strange this issue isn't solved after more than three years.

Ultra Search was the golden tip here.
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