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?

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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
    2012-11-05T04:48:13+00:00

    I don't know which version of WIndows 7 The Larch is using but it isn't the same as mine!!!

    If I type in the word living, for example I get no results, even when I have selected, for instance, Drive D and I know Drive D has file names with that word either at the beginning or as part of the file name.  The search box actually says Search Local Disk (D:) but it doesn't find it.

    below the advice No Items Match Your Search there is the suggestion to search again in:

    Libraries; Homegroups; Computer; etc.

    Now drive D is a partition of a physical hard drive inside my computer but no result.

    But here is the stupid part:  if I click on those items suggested in search again in and I click on the Computer choice, it starts finding the files!!!  ON DRIVE D: !!!!

    Where it couldn't find them when I specifically selected Drive D;, where it said, in the search box, Search Local Disk (D:) !!!!

    Who is the programming nut (or nuts) that thought this was an improvement over the very specific search options in the Window XP search section

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-05T07:16:23+00:00

    You can search by file name in windows search using the special syntax 'filename: %query%' in the search box. Though its probably fair to say this is much less discoverable than it should be.

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-11-06T05:35:51+00:00

    Obviously it should behave properly, and if it doesn't, then something has either gone haywire in your specific system or you have found a bug that could affect anyone and is not necessarily fixable without Microsoft knowing it and issuing a fix.  I can only give general advice that I have read others say, such as turning indexing off, and other things akin to hitting the side of a tv set. (See my reply in http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-files/file-search-in-win-7-not-working/044ebad4-884f-4c02-acbd-598977418c29#LastReply)

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