In windows 7 - I want to search for all files containing "A word or phrase in the file". The standard XP search box.
There is an option that seems to match what you're looking for:
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cmdrkeene.com
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AgentPete
replied on
I've been looking into this because I know the search has been
failing for me. I think the difference in whether Windows search works
or not depends on the FILE EXTENSION which contains your search text.
For example, if you look for the word "spam", it
will be found if it is in a whatever.doc file, or whatever.txt file.
However, if you were to rename the file to whatever.xyz, it will no
longer find the word.
Here are all the steps I think you need to follow to actually search:
1. Make sure that Windows 7 is actually going to search files with your extension, and it appears that using this list properly is important *whether or not you are looking in an indexed location*!!
a. Hit the start button and type "search" in the search box.
b. Select "Change How Windows Searches"
c. Hit "Advanced"
d. Select the "File Types" tab.
e. Make sure the file extension for the files you want to search in is on the list *and* is set to "Index Properties and File Contents" (yes, pick your jaw up off the floor). I know this appears to be for file indexing, but it does seem to make a difference on whether you find the file in non-indexed locations as well.
f. Say "Ok" and exit all the dialog boxes
2. Actually perform your search on the folder in question. Depending on some other settings you may have to type "content: spam" to find "spam" *in* the files instead of files with the word "spam" in the name. Alternately, if you press the "Alt" key when you're exploring in the folder, you can choose "Tools / Folder Options" go to the "Search" tab and select "Always search file names and contents".
If what I have written is actually correct, then IMHO Microsoft has coughed up the ball bigtime on this one. Personally, I now recognize that I can't use the search feature, and I'm installing Cygwin so I can use "grep" to search the contents of files. Not cool and not amused.
Here are all the steps I think you need to follow to actually search:
1. Make sure that Windows 7 is actually going to search files with your extension, and it appears that using this list properly is important *whether or not you are looking in an indexed location*!!
a. Hit the start button and type "search" in the search box.
b. Select "Change How Windows Searches"
c. Hit "Advanced"
d. Select the "File Types" tab.
e. Make sure the file extension for the files you want to search in is on the list *and* is set to "Index Properties and File Contents" (yes, pick your jaw up off the floor). I know this appears to be for file indexing, but it does seem to make a difference on whether you find the file in non-indexed locations as well.
f. Say "Ok" and exit all the dialog boxes
2. Actually perform your search on the folder in question. Depending on some other settings you may have to type "content: spam" to find "spam" *in* the files instead of files with the word "spam" in the name. Alternately, if you press the "Alt" key when you're exploring in the folder, you can choose "Tools / Folder Options" go to the "Search" tab and select "Always search file names and contents".
If what I have written is actually correct, then IMHO Microsoft has coughed up the ball bigtime on this one. Personally, I now recognize that I can't use the search feature, and I'm installing Cygwin so I can use "grep" to search the contents of files. Not cool and not amused.
TomZork,
Welcome to the Microsoft Answers Community.
Another user had a similar question which was answered here. I hope this helps!
Here ia a quote of what you sent me to that you had written:
Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Answers Community.
In Windows Explorer, click the search box, and start typing (or you can press the Windows logo key +F to bring up search). The search box filters the current view based on the text that you type. Files are displayed as search results if your search term matches the file's name, tags or other properties, or even the text inside a text document.
If you're searching for a file based on a property (such as the file's type), you can narrow the search before you start typing by clicking the search box, and then clicking one of the properties just below the search box. This adds a search filter (such as "type") to your search text, which will give you more accurate results.
If you aren't seeing the file you're looking for, you can change the entire scope of a search by clicking one of the options at the bottom of the search results. For example, if you search for a file in the Documents library but you can't find it, you can click Libraries to expand the search to the rest of your libraries.
Also, you can use the following syntax for searching: “*”.
For example:
i. *234033 -> searches for file which has the content 234033
ii. 234033*. -> searches for files which starts with 234033
So Lisa, perhaps being naive and thinking this that you sent me might be helpful and at least address my question of finding "all files containing "A word or phrase in the file" , I could only assume that 234033 is the text I was searching for. So I put 234033 inside a text file on my desktop, saved it and then a search for it. And it can't find it. So then I tried *234033-> and *234033 -> and still didn't find it. Then I put the file with that text in the My Documents folder - still can't find it.
The other reply from Thahaseena M - I had already tried that one. But just for grins 234033 by itself didn't work.
Lisa, so looking quite clearly at the question I asked - did you knowingly point me to a worthless post or am I too dense to understand that yes I can search for a file containing 234033 inside it but I just can't understand your directions? If the former, and if one can't search for a file with "A word or phrase in the file" why not? Please escalate why anyone would want to remove this ability from a computer? And where do we write to get this added back?
Hannes3 replied on
Welcome to the Microsoft Answers Community.
Another user had a similar question which was answered here. I hope this helps!
Here ia a quote of what you sent me to that you had written:
Thank you for visiting the Microsoft Answers Community.
In Windows Explorer, click the search box, and start typing (or you can press the Windows logo key +F to bring up search). The search box filters the current view based on the text that you type. Files are displayed as search results if your search term matches the file's name, tags or other properties, or even the text inside a text document.
If you're searching for a file based on a property (such as the file's type), you can narrow the search before you start typing by clicking the search box, and then clicking one of the properties just below the search box. This adds a search filter (such as "type") to your search text, which will give you more accurate results.
If you aren't seeing the file you're looking for, you can change the entire scope of a search by clicking one of the options at the bottom of the search results. For example, if you search for a file in the Documents library but you can't find it, you can click Libraries to expand the search to the rest of your libraries.
Also, you can use the following syntax for searching: “*”.
For example:
i. *234033 -> searches for file which has the content 234033
ii. 234033*. -> searches for files which starts with 234033
So Lisa, perhaps being naive and thinking this that you sent me might be helpful and at least address my question of finding "all files containing "A word or phrase in the file" , I could only assume that 234033 is the text I was searching for. So I put 234033 inside a text file on my desktop, saved it and then a search for it. And it can't find it. So then I tried *234033-> and *234033 -> and still didn't find it. Then I put the file with that text in the My Documents folder - still can't find it.
The other reply from Thahaseena M - I had already tried that one. But just for grins 234033 by itself didn't work.
Lisa, so looking quite clearly at the question I asked - did you knowingly point me to a worthless post or am I too dense to understand that yes I can search for a file containing 234033 inside it but I just can't understand your directions? If the former, and if one can't search for a file with "A word or phrase in the file" why not? Please escalate why anyone would want to remove this ability from a computer? And where do we write to get this added back?
Hannes3 replied on
To find "phrase in the file" type content:"phrase in the file" in the searchbox.
222 people found this helpful
Hi Tom,
Thanks for replying and sorry if the redirect post caused some confusion. I created different files in Word and Excel with the word “celebrate” in the body as a test (not included in the file name). In the search box of Windows Explorer, I typed “celebrate*” and all files containing “celebrate” came up.
Can you tell me if the search is failing to bring up a specific file type, or is this the case across all types?
Also, when you performed the search, did you highlight desktop in the navigation pane of windows explorer and type in the search bar, or did you use Windows key + F?
Lisa
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.
Thanks for replying and sorry if the redirect post caused some confusion. I created different files in Word and Excel with the word “celebrate” in the body as a test (not included in the file name). In the search box of Windows Explorer, I typed “celebrate*” and all files containing “celebrate” came up.
Can you tell me if the search is failing to bring up a specific file type, or is this the case across all types?
Also, when you performed the search, did you highlight desktop in the navigation pane of windows explorer and type in the search bar, or did you use Windows key + F?
Lisa
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.
7 people found this helpful
I'm curious - There is a search option that says "Add a Search Filter"
but it only displays "Date Modified" and "Size". Even after using
content, it is does not show content. How many filters are there and
what causes some to display but not others?
1. Any way I tried it, your suggestions did not work for finding text in a file.
content: was required.
2. There is a "pop down" search option that says "Add a Search Filter" but it only displays "Date Modified" and "Size". Even after using content, it is does not show content. How many filters are there? And what causes some to display (date modified and size) but not others? If this is part of that balogna called "Personalized Menus" how do I turn that off?
1. Any way I tried it, your suggestions did not work for finding text in a file.
content: was required.
2. There is a "pop down" search option that says "Add a Search Filter" but it only displays "Date Modified" and "Size". Even after using content, it is does not show content. How many filters are there? And what causes some to display (date modified and size) but not others? If this is part of that balogna called "Personalized Menus" how do I turn that off?
"To find "phrase in the file" type content:"phrase in the file" in the searchbox."
Another wonderful example of the stupid thought that went into the windows search function introduced with Vista: add extra steps to EVERYTHING that used to make sense about using windows.
This example indicates I have to type 10 extra keystrokes. How does this explain the obvious improvements in the windows search app? STUPID!
And who's ridiculous idea was it to remove the ability to search the current folder? The interface functionality of the windows XP search app is still far superior to this worthless piece of ____.
I often use an old version of PowerDesk for vista and now 7 to search like an adult windows user. Slower, but I find what I am looking for without all the extra clicks, extra characters, and lousy results.
Which type of search/find function do Macs have? I assume it is similar to the new windows search.
Another wonderful example of the stupid thought that went into the windows search function introduced with Vista: add extra steps to EVERYTHING that used to make sense about using windows.
This example indicates I have to type 10 extra keystrokes. How does this explain the obvious improvements in the windows search app? STUPID!
And who's ridiculous idea was it to remove the ability to search the current folder? The interface functionality of the windows XP search app is still far superior to this worthless piece of ____.
I often use an old version of PowerDesk for vista and now 7 to search like an adult windows user. Slower, but I find what I am looking for without all the extra clicks, extra characters, and lousy results.
Which type of search/find function do Macs have? I assume it is similar to the new windows search.
Next step: back to command line, and '>searchFile -name:"*.*" -content:"123456" -sortBy:"date" -order:"ascendant"' ?
Btw, these "200% computer-programmers idea" keywords seem to be translated in non-english versions of Seven. Not only do we have to guess which filtering options are available, we also have to guess what translation has been chosen for our language.
In (excuse my) French, "content:" keyword becomes "contenu:".
XP's search item in contextual menu was way more intuitive.
Btw, these "200% computer-programmers idea" keywords seem to be translated in non-english versions of Seven. Not only do we have to guess which filtering options are available, we also have to guess what translation has been chosen for our language.
In (excuse my) French, "content:" keyword becomes "contenu:".
XP's search item in contextual menu was way more intuitive.
Windows Search always searches the current folder (and
subfolders). For example, if you were in your Documents folder, the
search box would say "Search Documents...". If you want to search your
entire computer, open Computer first (or use the Start Search
box).
You don't need to type content:whatever becauase Windows will always search in the content (although using content: will help by excluding any filename matches and tell it to only search by content).
As for the filters, it shows the most popular ones, but there are dozens more.
And to answer the question, yes this is how Spotlight search on Mac works now, too.
If this was helpful, please vote. If it solves the issue, please click Propose as Answer. Thanks!
You don't need to type content:whatever becauase Windows will always search in the content (although using content: will help by excluding any filename matches and tell it to only search by content).
As for the filters, it shows the most popular ones, but there are dozens more.
And to answer the question, yes this is how Spotlight search on Mac works now, too.
If this was helpful, please vote. If it solves the issue, please click Propose as Answer. Thanks!
cmdrkeene.com
New to Windows 10? Open the "Get Started" app to get going fast with demos and more.
New to Windows 10? Open the "Get Started" app to get going fast with demos and more.
5 people found this helpful
There's dozens (maybe over 100) of filters. Unfortunately
no UI is implimented for selecting them, so you have to just know what
to type (which is annoying!). Also, the syntax has changed. Windows
always assumes wildcards, so you never have to type
*term* to find variations of a word or file name. If you don't want
the implied wildcard, search for "term" with quotes.
Plus, it won't work to search for *.doc to find all DOC files. I think you have to type type:doc or something similar. Annoying!
Plus, it won't work to search for *.doc to find all DOC files. I think you have to type type:doc or something similar. Annoying!
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