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
    2010-10-15T01:54:23+00:00

    I'm a late comer to this thread but think I've got the gist..

    First the reason I believe MS removed the "search all files by brute force slow" method as being enabled by default is that many users dont understand the diff between brute force and indexed searches and wonder why the search may take so long. Even longer when they did it on a network drive with 10's or 100's of Gigabytes of files, never mind the load it placed on the server and network !

    Just make sure the local location you want searched is included in your local index (Ctrl Panel, Indexing Options, Modify). Docuemnts etc is included by default, but I have a C:\DATA I added where most of my data is.

    To search a network drive, all thats needed is to have Windows Search on that 'server' (eg SBS 2003) , then Win 7 Clients will do efficient full text search's of the network drive (in our case 200GB of Data in seconds). Open an Explorer window on the drive in question and put your search terms in the search box top right. You dont need to add (and now cant) a "UNC Path" to the local index locations .. as its silly to index a remote share locally. Index it at the point of the data and use the index remotely to find stuff.

    I find the Win7 implementation not bad, but under explained by MS, who never seemed to really get on top of full text searching. Dont forget to disable the old clunky Indexing Service , if you install Windows Search ona  server, else youre doubling your index load.

    -- Peter C, Track Right : Professional, Proactive and Passionate IT support for Small/Medium Businesses

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