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.

Have Questions About Installing Windows 7?

FAQ - Common Windows 7 Installation Questions & Answers

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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
    2017-10-06T22:33:04+00:00

    Just tried this and, what do you know? It worked!

    In the "Search <name of folder>" box at the top right of your Windows Explorer,

    type "Name:SearchTerm" where SearchTerm is what you're looking for and without any quotes.

    Hope this helps!

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-10-06T15:47:20+00:00

    All the methods are showing in this long thread are waste, none worked to search Multiple file names in folder.

    i tried this script from a forum but also failed.MS is a dead horse.

    @echo off

    REM (c) 2013 BY NEUTRON16 (http://www.sevenforums.com/member.php?u=3585)

    CLS

    TITLE Mass file finder by Neutron16

    REM finds files in list.txt file and copies them to C:\your_files

    REM CHECK FOR ADMIN RIGHTS

    COPY /b/y NUL %WINDIR%\06CF2EB6-94E6-4a60-91D8-AB945AE8CF38 >NUL 2>&1

    IF ERRORLEVEL 1 GOTO:NONADMIN

    DEL %WINDIR%\06CF2EB6-94E6-4a60-91D8-AB945AE8CF38 >NUL 2>&1

    :ADMIN

    REM GOT ADMIN RIGHTS

    COLOR 1F

    ECHO Hi, %USERNAME%!

    ECHO Please wait...

    FOR /R "%~dp0" %%I IN (.) DO  for /f "usebackq delims=" %%a in ("%~dp0list.txt") do echo d |xcopy "%%I%%a" "C:\your_files" /e /i

    COLOR 2F

    ECHO.

    ECHO (c) 2013 by Neutron16 (http://www.sevenforums.com/member.php?u=3585)

    PAUSE

    GOTO:EOF

    :NONADMIN

    REM NO ADMIN RIGHTS

    COLOR 4F

    ECHO.

    ECHO PLEASE RUN AS ADMINISTRATOR

    ECHO.

    pause

    GOTO:EOF

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-08-03T16:20:40+00:00

    Use DOS instead.

    Hold down the Shift key and click on the folder name in Windows Explorer.

    Select "Open Command Window here".

    A DOS window will open with the full path to your folder followed by a >.

    Type "dir *searchName*" with your search criteria between the asterisks

    [don't type quotes!].

    If you want to search subdirectories, add "/s" after the "dir".

    To close the DOS window, type "exit".

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