How do I search a folder WITH ITS SUBFOLDERS in Windows7 please?

Anonymous
2010-02-01T02:40:52+00:00

when I run a search in Windows 7, only one folder at a time is searched.  How do I broaden a search to a folder and all of its subfolders?  Vista did that automatically; Windows 7 does not seem to do so.

Thanks!

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
2010-10-31T05:05:32+00:00

I had the same prob & none of the answers on this page helped. I mucked around a bit & ticked a box in the search options folder Called "Don't use the index when searching in file folders for system files" Problem fixed... although the title of the tick box has nothing to do with searching sub folders, whenever it's not ticked I can't search any subfolders.

Was this answer helpful?

50+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2011-04-02T09:12:35+00:00

Ok here is the scoop. If you are searching in a folder selected from underneath the "Libraries" folder (Documents, Videos, Music, Pictures, Etc.) it does not search subfolders. I do not know why, but if you go to your "C:\Users'username'" and open the needed folder (or even just in your UN folder), it will search subfolders. I think it is either a glitch, or because Libraries is just a phantom name for a grouping, the search doesnt work. You have to be directly in the folder, or the folder directly above it, not in a windows "cloud" version of it like the ones in Libraries.

Sorry if this is hard to follow, i'm a better techy than a teacher. Hope this helps

Rick Flach

Live Out Loud Media & Design

Hi Rick

Open Windows Explorer.

Select Organize / Folder and Search options.

Select the Search Tab.

In the How to search section, select the Include subfolders in search results when searching in file folders option.

Regards

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2010-02-25T19:32:17+00:00

Hello,

Entering an asterisk (*) in the search box immediately returns all files in the current folder and all its subfolders.

Lisa

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

Was this answer helpful?

5 people found this answer helpful.
0 comments
Answer accepted by question author
Anonymous
2012-12-10T18:07:03+00:00

Ok here is the scoop. If you are searching in a folder selected from underneath the "Libraries" folder (Documents, Videos, Music, Pictures, Etc.) it does not search subfolders. I do not know why, but if you go to your "C:\Users'username'" and open the needed folder (or even just in your UN folder), it will search subfolders. I think it is either a glitch, or because Libraries is just a phantom name for a grouping, the search doesnt work. You have to be directly in the folder, or the folder directly above it, not in a windows "cloud" version of it like the ones in Libraries.

Sorry if this is hard to follow, i'm a better techy than a teacher. Hope this helps

Rick Flach

Live Out Loud Media & Design

This is the only thing that has worked for me (including every other "fix" on the 4 pages before my post).  Clearly the search functionality is borked if you start your journey by clicking on one the the "Library" folders.

Was this answer helpful?

1 person found this answer helpful.
0 comments

73 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2011-12-15T15:29:45+00:00

    By default, Windows only searches inside files if the location is indexed (so it can return near-instant results). You can tell Windows to do an intensive search (just like XP would have done).

    1. Open Folder Options (type 'folder' into the Start menu to find it).
    2. On the Search tab, click the 2nd option ("Always search file names and contents"), then click OK.

    After that, using quotes to phrase-search inside files should work, even in un-indexed locations.  Searches may take a while (just like XP), but they'll be complete and should return the results you want.

    ____________

    One more note:  If the location is indexed, but your phrase isn't being found.... do this to make sure the file type is set to allow searching inside the file.  Do this, for example, if you are trying to find a phrase inside a non-standard file like a JavaScript or PHP file:

    1. Type 'index' into your Start menu to find the Indexing Options, then click the Advanced button.
    2. On the File Types tab, find the file type you want to be indexed (tip: click in the list, then type the file type letters like JS to jump to it).
    3. With the file type selected, make sure the 2nd option is selected "Index properties and file contents", then click OK to close each box.

    I believe these two setting changes would resolve about 90% of search frustrations people commonly have with Windows 7.  Please let me know if this helps for you.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments