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
    2014-05-10T13:43:50+00:00

    The reply is wrong. File names that contain the search word do not display at the top of the list. Try it yourself and see.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-28T20:57:45+00:00

    Glad to see this thread still alive after more than 3 years.

    Just typing in the search term is NOT the answer:

    It spends all its time searching for strings within a file, when all you want is the filename itself.

    The crazy part: It starts searching within the file you're trying to find BEFORE it tells you about the file itself !!

    I had a zip file, and it was searching for strings within files in the zip BEFORE it reported the name and location of the zip itself. It ended up being quicker to open up the folders and look for the file manually.

    Now that's crazy.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-09-21T23:36:11+00:00

    System.FileName:~"*(?)*"

    Works fine.  :)

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