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

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
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.

Have Questions About Installing Windows 7?

FAQ - Common Windows 7 Installation Questions & Answers

Was this answer helpful?

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

Was this answer helpful?

20+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments

87 additional answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-06-04T16:45:04+00:00

    Easy, but not fast enough to be useful - that is if you have anything else to do that day.  Typically I give up after 1 or 2 hours.  Microsoft needs to give user explicit control to search ONLY folder and file names if that is what is desired.  For example, Microsoft applications gleefully populate the disk with temporary files, so common search is for "~*.*" to clean these off before offline backup.  In this case, only file names are of interest - no need to search for that text string everywhere.  Cannot imagine that Microsoft personnel don't have this problem.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-05-29T13:28:20+00:00

    The reason Microsoft is losing to open source....go to a DOS prompt and type:

    dir Somefile.name /s   

    Will search your drive in seconds not minutes...

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-05-20T09:05:46+00:00

    You have to remember to click on "Arange by: Clear Changes" to achieve this ordering, as the search results window remembers the sort order (e.g. by filename, by date) from your last session.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments