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

I received an email prompt because of one of my earlier posts... anyway I thought I'd respond.

For the last couple of months my "solution" has been to turn indexing off for "\Users" indexing. I did this by Indexing Options>Modify and uncheck "\Users" indexing box. Then just use the upper right hand search box to search from any folder down the directory tree. This does an exhaustive search (non indexed) but on a modern machine it's pretty quick. You cannot find strings within files this way. The bottom SEARCH box still works for non user library file searches.

The other possible solution is a 3rd party search tool. I have enough "add-ons" and choose to keep these to a minimum.

Do not confuse the above with disabling WINDOWS SEARCH via Control Panel>Programs & Features -I would not do this unless you know the consequences. (I certainly don't do it).

Mr. @m_south_a, What are the consequences about which you speak?

Doesn't the indexer rebuild a new index when you re-enable it? I am new to Win 7 and mystified at the erratic behavior of this 'feature'.

Perhaps you mean this: Yesterday I rebuilt the index and after it was done, Win 7 would not even find files with the search term in the name of the file, these are files visible inside the explorer folder in which it was supposed to be searching. In other words, it wouldn't find files that were laying there in the open.

Several reboots did not change this blindness.

Yet, today I started the machine and now it sees files. !

It still does not see inside .PDF which is a shame, since I work with PDF's a lot. (yes .pdf is checked in the index options). Even though thepreview sees the .pdf as though it were open in Acrobat.

Also I would note that the .pdf's that it doesn't search is the type that can be copied and pasted, not the type that behaves as though it were a photo.

What's the emoticon for throwing your hands up?

Regarding disabling WINDOWS SEARCH via program and features - all I know is that the operating system appears to rely on this capability and Microsoft staff are best placed to answer the specifics concerning any consequences. I leave it alone.

If I understand your question "What's the emoticon for throwing your hands up?". My answer is  frustration - spend an hour reading others frustration in the windows 7 search function and you will begin to understand. I tried ALL the suggested MS fixes to no avail and I have work to do and cannot afford to "stuff around" any longer trying to fix a problem which appears clearly to be in Microsoft's court.

In my case the indexed search function was totally broken and my decision was easy. But now I doubt that I would trust it to find critical data when using it on a new installation / machine.

BUT it appears to work for some and all I can say is if it works for you congratulations and good luck.

I'm just wondering whether something irreversible happens when the search is disabled there in Control Panel?

To borrow a phrase from "Network" does it interfere with the primal forces of nature? :-)

At this point I would believe anything. My experience of search not finding things that were in plain sight one day, then finding most things on the next day as though nothing had happened is a real stumper.

Why wouldn't it see anything on Tuesday even after complete power-off and restarts, but then see files on Wednesday? Did it get a good night's sleep? I can't figure it out.

And why can't it see inside .PDF files? Explorer displays the contents in preview!

The most mystifying thing about the experience so far, frankly, are the posts by those who state that it works great, no problems. Perhaps that view depends on needs and circumstances. Mine have been markedly different so far.

The free utility FileLocator Lite has been a real help, a solution suggested by another forum member in a similar thread.

It's not as good as if it were integrated into explorer but it does work as quickly as a non-indexed search can be expected to work, it does allow double-clicking to open, it does allow exporting or saving search results. And it sees inside .PDF's.

I wonder if third-party AV apps might be getting in the way of the index engine? I run Avast Internet Security v. 5.0.594