Want to search ONLY file names in Windows 7 Explorer?

Anonymous

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!

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Anonymous

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?

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@CmdrKeene 90,631 Volunteer Moderator

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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87 additional answers

Anonymous

2017-06-06T21:26:09+00:00

This is not helpful because it misleads the user to believe that the search functionality is functional and reliable.

The microsoft index search frequently misses very obvious results and is completely unreliable. The solution is to not use it any more.

I've had the discontinued Google Desktop software on my machine since 2011 and it immediately returns completely accurate results to this day.
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Anonymous

2017-05-03T03:41:54+00:00

I don't find this works, files with the search term in the name show below those that don't.
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Anonymous

2017-04-13T19:59:54+00:00

If it was that simple, would we be here searching for a solution? Sometimes a search by filename needs to be specific and not the fuzzy search happening now. Most of us having used Windows for the last (thinking.......) ~20 years are accustomed to being able to search for a file by name and find it without having to sift through 1,000's of fuzzy matches or entirely wrong matches.

For example, I searched for "*(1).gdoc" and I'm getting matches for files with names ending in ".docx.gdoc" as well as "(2).gdoc" (as the first couple examples that jump out at me). Also, when I search for a filename pattern, I don't want matches based on content, JUST the filename.

Like with Metro, if feels like MS has outsmarted themselves trying to hard and breaking what should be simple functions.

The condescending response from Shawn the "MVP" is not only useless, but arrogant and belittling.

UPDATE: Just a bit more searching and I found the overly complicated solution to this broken search functionality at: http://syncor.blogspot.com/2012/02/searching-by-filename-only-in-windows-7.html
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