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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

162 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2010-10-14T18:50:35+00:00

    Thanks 'amuzeini'.  "Agent Ransack"  does exactly what I expected from Windows 7. The ability to Search Files, Words within files, easily and quickly.

    You can request ??????.doc or abcd.doc to search for words within all doc. files  or *.txt to find all text files etc.. So simple!

    Highly recommended!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-10-13T23:13:36+00:00

    Actually, this didn't work in the end. I think the problem is as Bigfeather describes it below.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-10-12T21:17:00+00:00

    Don't know if this has been proposed, as there are too many rants to wade through for me to want to read the entire thread. 

    Assuming this is not a registry setting issue:

    Click on the start button, type the word "search" without quotes. 

    Select from that list "change search options for files and folders". 

    At the top of the dialog box "What to search". 

    Choose the second radio button "Always search file names and contents (this might take several minutes.) 

    This solves the issue even if you haven't indexed, and it solves the issue for search network drives, which I believe cannot be indexed. 

    Your response is as much a "rant" as any. This is arrogance on your part since you haven't taken the time to "wade through the entire thread".

    Your "solution" does not solve the problem.

    The latest suggestion is that it may , at least in part, be a third party software issue.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-10-12T17:00:16+00:00

    Don't know if this has been proposed, as there are too many rants to wade through for me to want to read the entire thread. 

    Assuming this is not a registry setting issue:

    Click on the start button, type the word "search" without quotes. 

    Select from that list "change search options for files and folders". 

    At the top of the dialog box "What to search". 

    Choose the second radio button "Always search file names and contents (this might take several minutes.) 

    This solves the issue even if you haven't indexed, and it solves the issue for search network drives, which I believe cannot be indexed.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments