How to Search in Windows 7 for text within a document?

Anonymous
2010-06-28T02:30:00+00:00

How do you search for a document by using searching specific text in the document? (Word or other searchable doc.) Other forum answers suggest that this will happen with the general search box that appears in the upper right corner of explorer - but this does not seem to be the case.

I have searched for known words, and documents do not come up.

Is there a default? Is there a way turn on the search within document? (formerly, the detailed search option for any folder would prompt you to select 'search within document.')

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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Anonymous
2010-07-06T20:15:26+00:00

Try just typing the phrase into the search box. If this doesn’t work, try content: “words in phrase”

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-01-07T23:54:03+00:00

    I have experienced the same frustrations expressed here. MS Desktop Search works fine in XP but the searching in Windows 7 can charitably be described as quirky at best. I did try, honestly I did, but eventually gave up and bought an X1 license. X1 works for me. In fact it might be too good and encourage filing laziness. Currently I file stuff pretty rigorously (who needs or wants Win7 libraries, but that is another issue) but if you can find your files with a great search program anyway, why bother filing.

    That's my 2cents worth.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-01-12T17:38:45+00:00

    I hate Windows 7 Search, too!  What can we do to get a better product from Microsoft???

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-02-08T15:35:06+00:00

    Just use Windows explorer search box.  Go to the top level folder within which you want to search & enter the search term.  It will search file names, file properties & file contents for indexed locations & indexed file types.

    If you want, you can use the filters offered in the search box.  There are more filters available if you search from within Libraries. [you need to stretch the search box to the left to make it bigger so you can see the available filters]

    You can also do more refined searches by using the search syntax reproduced at http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-search-advanced-query-syntax

    That's about the best you can do without going to third-party tools.  Personally, I've just learnt to live with it.

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