Don't understand Windows 7 search!

mborner · 22 Oct 2010

annette said:

I have just deleted and rebuilt the index - it took about a minute and only appeared to index 198 items!

Annette

It could be 198 folders, not files. What happens if you open D:\ in an explorer window and search from the explorer window?

Keiichi25 · 22 Oct 2010

A minor note to also mention with what I have seen going on with Windows Search... Give it a day. Regardless of what it says, give it a day for it to build up indexes.

The reason I say this is depending on how much it has to index and how active you are on the computer, will take longer than an hour to do indexing.

The Search Indexer builds a rather crazy database level because of the possible permutations that it has to reference and cross-reference. It is also set up to minimize system performance, hence it will go slower when it knows you are active on the computer, thus taking more time.

MacGyvr · 22 Oct 2010

mborner said:

annette said:

I have now managed to upload my evidence - why does windows 7 search not simply find all the files called *.jpg in my pics folder?

annette

Because your pics folder is located on drive "D". You will need to add drive "D" to your search index.

Not correct. You do not have to index a location to search it. The search will simply be slower.

mborner · 22 Oct 2010

MacGyvr said:

mborner said:

annette said:

I have now managed to upload my evidence - why does windows 7 search not simply find all the files called *.jpg in my pics folder?

annette

Because your pics folder is located on drive "D". You will need to add drive "D" to your search index.

Not correct. You do not have to index a location to search it. The search will simply be slower.

You are correct, as long as the external drive is connected and recognized by Windows. To the OP, since your external drive is most likely not indexed, when you go to Start/search and no results appear, keep an eye near the top of the window, looking for the green "searching" bar. Since the drive is not indexed, it may take some time to search.

mjf · 23 Oct 2010

I think trying to sort out Windows 7 indexed search is good idea. Rebuild the index, some registry fixes etc, etc. An MS Answers forum points to some evidence that McAfee Total Protection 2010 is playing a role.

Anyway I have moved to "Agent Ransack", a very fast, non indexed, capable, free light weight app that is really very good. It's in this forums' free programs list.

James Colbert · 23 Oct 2010

Your .jpg search should return results (works here), but have you tried type:jpg?

James

mborner · 23 Oct 2010

If you are searching an area of the PC or drive that is not indexed, the search works like it does in XP and requires you to type your search, then hit enter, then select "computer" It will find all your .jpg files on drive D, although, the search will be quite slow. When you type ".jpg" in your start menu search box and get no results, it means the items or drives you are searching are not indexed. At that point try hitting "enter" and then watch all of your .jpg files show up on your D drive.