In windows 7 - I want to search for all files containing "A word or phrase in the file". The standard XP search box.

Anonymous
2009-12-06T19:24:59+00:00

In Windows 7 - I want to search/find all files containing "A word or phrase in the file".  The old standard XP search box.

I do NOT supply: file name; file type; drive letter; etc. - nothing.  

I tried searching for this - just can't find any discussion.  And of course, not having this search would be insane. It is precisely what we have a computer for. 

And no 3rd party programs are allowed.

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

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Anonymous
2010-08-19T18:11:15+00:00

I've been looking into this because I know the search has been failing for me.  I think the difference in whether Windows search works or not depends on the FILE EXTENSION which contains your search text.  For example, if you look for the word "spam", it will be found if it is in a whatever.doc file, or whatever.txt file.  However, if you were to rename the file to whatever.xyz, it will no longer find the word.

Here are all the steps I think you need to follow to actually search:

  1. Make sure that Windows 7 is actually going to search files with your extension, and it appears that using this list properly is important *whether or not you are looking in an indexed location*!!

    a.  Hit the start button and type "search" in the search box.

    b.  Select "Change How Windows Searches"

    c.  Hit "Advanced"

    d.  Select the "File Types" tab.

    e.  Make sure the file extension for the files you want to search in is on the list *and* is set to "Index Properties and File Contents" (yes, pick your jaw up off the floor).  I know this appears to be for file indexing, but it does seem to make a difference on whether you find the file in non-indexed locations as well.

    f.  Say "Ok" and exit all the dialog boxes

2.  Actually perform your search on the folder in question.  Depending on some other settings you may have to type "content: spam" to find "spam" *in* the files instead of files with the word "spam" in the name.  Alternately, if you press the "Alt" key when you're exploring in the folder, you can choose "Tools / Folder Options" go to the "Search" tab and select "Always search file names and contents".

If what I have written is actually correct, then IMHO Microsoft has coughed up the ball bigtime on this one.  Personally, I now recognize that I can't use the search feature, and I'm installing Cygwin so I can use "grep" to search the contents of files.  Not cool and not amused.

Good luck to all the searchers.

~Pete

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@CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2010-09-19T13:39:48+00:00

There is an option that seems to match what you're looking for:

If this was helpful, please vote by clicking the green triangle. If it solves the issue, click Propose as Answer. Thanks!

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Anonymous
2009-12-09T00:08:07+00:00

To find "phrase in the file" type content:"phrase in the file" in the searchbox.

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  1. Anonymous
    2012-06-12T15:12:46+00:00

    Hello.

    If you "just" got here and are reading this thread, please keep in mind that there are 23 pages to it.  Please refrain from answering what you THINK is an easy answer until after you've read all 23 pages of posts that span 3 years of frustration.   Many answers have been proposed.  Every single one of them has been found to be "somewhat helpful but not really the full answer".

    The full answer would be for Microsoft to fix the numerous bugs in the Windows 7 search.  The plain fact is that Windows 7 does not work.  It is not reliable in any way, and though you can tweak it to do more of what you want, in the end all the tweaking in the world does not make it work.  It does not provide the kinds of options that the Windows XP search provided, and it is very very far from being easy to use.

    Windows XP Search allowed you to search local drives or network drives, within a file or just file names, within a subdirectory and all sub sub directories or just the one directory you are currently in, using multi-value wildcards (*) and single value wildcards (?), by file date, by file type, by file size, and the search would be able to include every file type (not just "indexed" files, or "text files" or "recognized files").

    IF you have read all 23 pages of posts, AND you believe that you have the answer, please post.  And although the original query asked for no 3rd party programs, at this point any inexpensive 3rd party program that works seamlessly with Windows 7 to provide the same search capabilities as Windows XP search would be a welcome addition to the list of proposed solutions.  So far, all proposed solutions do part of the job, but none do all of the job (which, again, Windows XP Search did beautifully).  Also - if anyone knows how to get Windows XP search box on Windows 7, please post. I keep thinking there has got to be a way to port that application over to Windows 7, but I haven't figured out how.

    Thanks

    Just my opinion

    CJ Rhoads

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