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

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
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
@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!

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2009-12-09T00:08:07+00:00

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

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

364 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2009-12-08T17:39:11+00:00

    Lisa,

    Here ia a quote of what you sent me to that you had written:

    Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Answers Community.

    In Windows Explorer, click the search box, and start typing (or you can press the Windows logo key +F to bring up search). The search box filters the current view based on the text that you type. Files are displayed as search results if your search term matches the file's name, tags or other properties, or even the text inside a text document.

    If you're searching for a file based on a property (such as the file's type), you can narrow the search before you start typing by clicking the search box, and then clicking one of the properties just below the search box. This adds asearch filter (such as "type") to your search text, which will give you more accurate results.

    If you aren't seeing the file you're looking for, you can change the entire scope of a search by clicking one of the options at the bottom of the search results. For example, if you search for a file in the Documents library but you can't find it, you can clickLibraries to expand the search to the rest of your libraries.

    Also, you can use the following syntax for searching: “*”.For example:i. *234033 -> searches for file which has the content 234033ii. 234033*. -> searches for files which starts with 234033

    So Lisa, perhaps being naive and thinking this that you sent me might be helpful and at least address my question of finding "all files containing "A word or phrase in the file" , I could only assume that 234033 is the text I was searching for.  So I put 234033 inside a text file on my desktop, saved it and then a search for it.  And it can't find it. So then I tried *234033-> and *234033 -> and still didn't find it.  Then I put the file with that text in the My Documents folder - still can't find it.

    The other reply from Thahaseena M - I had already tried that one. But just for grins 234033 by itself didn't work.

    Lisa, so looking quite clearly at the question I asked - did you knowingly point me to a worthless post or am I too dense to understand that yes I can search for a file containing 234033 inside it but I just can't understand your directions?    If the former, and if one can't search for a file with "A word or phrase in the file" why not?  Please escalate why anyone would want to remove this ability from a computer?  And where do we write to get this added back? 

    Thanks,

    Tom

    Was this answer helpful?

    1 person found this answer helpful.
    0 comments