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
    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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  2. 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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  3. Anonymous
    2013-12-22T21:28:35+00:00

    Try this.

    I had this same problem, and over a couple of attempts to remedy this I had tried pretty much everything posted online, but nothing fixed it.  I then decided to turn my attention away from the Search feature and turn it to the Start Menu customization state.  It is there that I found this solution  

    • Right click on the Start button (or on your taskbar where they are no task icons present)
    • Click Properties
    • Click on the Start Menu tab
    • Click the Customize button
    • Scroll down (almost to the bottom of) the customization items and you will find an item Search other files and libraries
    • If your setting is currently Don't Search, then change it to Search with (or without) public folders
    • Click OK to close the Customize Start Menu dialog
    • Click OK to close the Taskbar and Start Menu Propertiesdialog

    My system had somehow been set to Don't search here, and as soon as I changed it to Search with public folders the problem was resolved.  Now for an extra measure, I performed a re-index after changing this setting through the Control Panel->Indexing Options->Advanced->Rebuild button, but that may not have been necessary.

    Key phrases: Windows Search not working, Windows Search finds no files

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-01-16T12:01:44+00:00

    This was pretty impressive m_south_a! imagine that, remove indexing and get a better search result (actually, GET a search result). who would have thought.

    thanks a lot!

    Avraham

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