Want to search ONLY file names in Windows 7 Explorer?

Anonymous
2011-02-06T06:17:16+00:00

I usually just want to seach for a "word in a file & folder name" -- and often can give a a date range. In Windows 7 Explorer, as soon as I type the word, I get all files that contain the word in the content, as well.  How can I have it search only the file or folder name?

I also don't use "my documents" or "Libraries"...I create my own subfolders -- and generally on a stick drive...so I don't really understand "indexing" or if it's relevant to how I organize my files.

I miss the Windows XP search feature in Windows 7 Explorer!

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

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Anonymous
2011-02-06T06:32:16+00:00

How can I have it search only the file or folder name?

Folder:

foldername:example

Word in name:

name:example

I miss the Windows XP search feature in Windows 7 Explorer!

Let Microsoft know you want Windows Explorers features returned:

Since many people seem to agree that some or all the changes made to Windows Explorer have actually made it less user friendly, you can go to the Windows 7 Feedback page and (politely) let them know your suggestions for improving it:

http://mymfe.microsoft.com/Windows%207/Feedback.aspx?formID=195

Note: don't make the message too long, there is a size limit to your message even though the page doesn't tell you about it.

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@CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
2011-02-06T18:05:52+00:00

No need for anything complicated.  Just type what you're looking for.  If it's in the filename, those results will be returned first, above any results where your search term isinside the file.  Easy.

Non-indexed locations such as stick drives can still be searched, but take a little more time to search (sort of like XP).

If this solves your issue, click the 'Propose as Answer' link below, and vote as helpful by clicking the green triangle to the lelft. Thanks!

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-07-31T12:14:35+00:00

    Not true.  Especially if the drive is indexed but the file type you are looking for has been excluded from the index.  (a very frequent occurrence)  Even on indexed locations, windows search is not reliable.  I am right now staring at 7273 results for a search term and the term appears in filenames which are scattered throughout the entire list.   They were not  all returned first.   I have to scan through 7273 results to determine if the filename I'm looking for is there.  Fun.  Searching for "name:term" helps but still skips all files not indexed by default.

    Windows Search is just plain broken.   Wish MS would admit and address this.   I've had to fall back to tools like Everything to reliably locate files by file name.   There is also the reliable old "dir *whatever*.* /s"  but it's inconvenient to use on network locations.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-06-22T23:48:23+00:00

    You can specify that you want filenames specifically.  Weirdly, we can choose among properties called filename, file, and name, which should refer to the same thing but whose special usages sometimes require different syntax.  I prefer name, and you can do:

    name:~="@"

    The ~= means search anywhere in the name, and the quotes ensure that the symbol is being searched for (most symbols don't need the quotes, but some do, so it is safer to use them).

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-06-22T18:24:07+00:00

    Try searching for a filename that contains an @.

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