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

Anonymous

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.

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.

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Anonymous

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:

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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Anonymous

To get your suggestion to the right people at Microsoft, please go to the Give Us Feedback for Windows 7 page.

Boulder Computer Maven

Microsoft Most Valuable Professional

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@CmdrKeene 90,631 Volunteer Moderator

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

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

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364 additional answers

Anonymous

2011-05-19T02:39:29+00:00

although fairly new to Win7 premium, i was quite adept with XP and am learning more every day about Win7. i just simply fail to understand why some folks are bound n' determined to make doing 'things' on Win7 more difficult than need be. further, it's shameful to see 'flamers' who can't leave well enough alone.

ok, with that out of the way, unless i missed something in a post, i did not see any discussion about what's available on the Search tab in Folder Options other than 'what to search'. first, i have the top radio button marked there because from what i have discovered - the Indexed Searches and the Everywhere Searches are exactly the same. yes, my eyes were spinning often while i did that little investigation. second, under 'how to search' (this is what i didn't see) i ticked only the the top box - to include subfolders....in file folders.

so basically, i open up Windows Explorer, click Computer or wherever, type what i want in the search box n' voila....i've got what i needed even if what i was looking for was contained within a document file. the other thing to do is, n' i'm sorry but can't remember where it is at the moment, is to make sure you have included all the folders n' such that you want searched and/or indexed - - - i can picture it but that's all.

i remember reading something about system directories in this thread....again, on the Search tab in Folder Options, i have both boxes ticked under 'when searching non-indexed locations'. plus, i do not have ticked 'hide files n' folders' in Tools.  though i have windows set to 'index' on the fly.

something else, isn't it always the case that 'there's one last thing' - - the control panel is very helpful, especially if you 'view' with everything set as links. and as i'm looking at Folder Options - General tab, at the bottom is a link for help re changing folder options. yes, i realize i'm going beyond the 'direct' question but it's important to be patient when learning a new system and use the help links.

what i will not do, however, is go off on a tangent/rant about how M$ took the ability to see the animation in gif files without using a 3rd-party program. i use List Pics  by kevin solway in case you're interested :-)

time to stop...if not waaayyy past.   hope this was helpful.    deb

oops, a great search program, without all the commands n' whatnot, is Copernic Desktop. the newest free version has ads that drove me crazy but maybe an older version is available at WayBack.com. ok, all done....really!
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