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
    2010-12-25T20:24:54+00:00

    My Windows 7 Search (Start Menu) worked fine locating documents and files before a recent re-format.  Reading some of the answers in this forum did not help.  I finally stumbled upon a very easy solution.  Might work for you, might not.  Doesn't hurt to try.  Here's what I did.  Click on "Start" Menu.  Right click anywhere and click "Properties".  Click on "Start Menu" tab.  Click the "Customize" button.  Scroll down to "Search other files and libraries".  If the "Don't search" radio button is selected, then here's the problem.  Select either the "Search with public folders" or "Search without public folders" radio buttons then click OK twice and voila.  Good Luck!

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-01-13T16:16:15+00:00

    I have found that if I turn off indexing altogether, my searches work in windows 7. It took me a long time to work it out as indexing seemed like such a good idea, but if I index one small location and search it, the search returns nothing of value. Without indexing it searches the selected location quickly and effectivley. It also works on networked locations - result! You have no idea how happy I am.

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  3. 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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  4. 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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