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. @CmdrKeene 90,631 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2017-06-06T21:31:51+00:00

    It should work, I use it often.  Maybe try disabling the index and see if it works when you're simply searching the against the disk/storage device directly, and then take it from there and isolate what's causing the problem.

    You should be able to test it by opening a command prompt and doing nearly the same thing.  Such as:

    C:> dir /s *2001.xl*

    Which would find any file that has "2001" before the dot, such as Invoices 2001.xlx or even just 2001.xlsx

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-06T21:28:11+00:00

    You could also use the easy way instead of the full syntax.

    This search:  *2001

    would find "grossSales2001". 

    Wildcards (*) or (?) have been around for decades and still work in all versions.

    Inaccurate information.  Why?  Because it doesn't "work"

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  3. 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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