How to search across a particular part of the directory tree?


  1. Posts : 207
    Windows7 Pro x64
       #1

    How to search across a particular part of the directory tree?


    Hi

    How dow I do a search across just a particular part of the directory tree?

    ...For:
    a) A filename search
    b) Text search

    In WindowsXP I could go to the directory in question and right-click and
    get to search from that location. But how the HECK do we do something similar
    in Windows 7?

    With thanks


    John
    John Smith
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,261
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit SP1
       #2

    shiphen said:
    Hi

    How dow I do a search across just a particular part of the directory tree?

    ...For:
    a) A filename search
    b) Text search

    In WindowsXP I could go to the directory in question and right-click and
    get to search from that location. But how the HECK do we do something similar
    in Windows 7?

    With thanks


    John
    John Smith
    Just go into that folder and start the search.

    For example, I have "F:\Pictures" open in Windows Explorer, and want to search for screenshots. I want to restrict the search to only "F:\Pictures\Forums" and relevant subfolders. I will double-click the "Forums" folder to open it, then I start my search by typing "tag:screenshots" (without the quotes) in the search box.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #3

    Searching from Start Menu's search field searches the indexed locations of whole computer. Searching from Explorer window's search field searches also non-indexed locations in that folder or drive and downwards i.e searching in Users searches all user folders, searching from an invidual users main folder searches only that user and so on.

    How to search across a particular part of the directory tree?-search_a.png

    How to search across a particular part of the directory tree?-search_b.png

    How to search across a particular part of the directory tree?-search_c.png

    Kari
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 2,578
    Vista 64 bit and 32 bit (SP2)
       #4

    If you're interested in third party search tools software, Agent Ransack - Free File Searching Utility is a free 64 bit Windows 7 file searcher that is similar to XP in that it lets you choose the drive or path to search.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #5

    Imperfect1 said:
    If you're interested in third party search tools software, Agent Ransack - Free File Searching Utility is a free 64 bit Windows 7 file searcher that is similar to XP in that it lets you choose the drive or path to search.
    Why would you suggest/want to use a third-party app when the built-in search does exactly what is needed.

    If I could put out a PSA, it would be this: Instead of complaining that the search feature doesn't work by reading your thoughts and doing what you intended...learn how to use it, and how to use the syntax. It blows my mind that Kari had to post screenshots showing how to use the Explorer window to search in non-indexed places. That's a basic feature that users/readers of an enthusiast forum should know how to do. That's part of using your computer...nothing advanced, nothing technical. My users at work are some of the least technical people around, and they've all picked up on this themselves.

    You don't need third party search apps. The included one works wonderfully.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 2,578
    Vista 64 bit and 32 bit (SP2)
       #6

    DeaconFrost said:
    Imperfect1 said:
    If you're interested in third party search tools software, Agent Ransack - Free File Searching Utility is a free 64 bit Windows 7 file searcher that is similar to XP in that it lets you choose the drive or path to search.
    Why would you suggest/want to use a third-party app when the built-in search does exactly what is needed.

    If I could put out a PSA, it would be this: Instead of complaining that the search feature doesn't work by reading your thoughts and doing what you intended...learn how to use it, and how to use the syntax. It blows my mind that Kari had to post screenshots showing how to use the Explorer window to search in non-indexed places. That's a basic feature that users/readers of an enthusiast forum should know how to do. That's part of using your computer...nothing advanced, nothing technical. My users at work are some of the least technical people around, and they've all picked up on this themselves.

    You don't need third party search apps. The included one works wonderfully.
    A LOT of people don't care for Windows 7 Search. There is nothing wrong with offering someone an alternative, third party or not. Don't be so judgmental, DeaconFrost. . . it's good to have multiple options.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 1,261
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit SP1
       #7

    Imperfect1 said:
    DeaconFrost said:
    Imperfect1 said:
    If you're interested in third party search tools software, Agent Ransack - Free File Searching Utility is a free 64 bit Windows 7 file searcher that is similar to XP in that it lets you choose the drive or path to search.
    Why would you suggest/want to use a third-party app when the built-in search does exactly what is needed.

    If I could put out a PSA, it would be this: Instead of complaining that the search feature doesn't work by reading your thoughts and doing what you intended...learn how to use it, and how to use the syntax. It blows my mind that Kari had to post screenshots showing how to use the Explorer window to search in non-indexed places. That's a basic feature that users/readers of an enthusiast forum should know how to do. That's part of using your computer...nothing advanced, nothing technical. My users at work are some of the least technical people around, and they've all picked up on this themselves.

    You don't need third party search apps. The included one works wonderfully.
    A LOT of people don't care for Windows 7 Search. There is nothing wrong with offering someone an alternative, third party or not. Don't be so judgmental, DeaconFrost. . . it's good to have multiple options.
    Yes, it's good to have differing opinions and alternatives. And I indeed encourage people to speak their minds.

    The trouble arises from far too many armchair experts offering far too many conflicting opinions, that it eventually overshadows the truth. Take windows Vista as an example.

    We all know that Windows Vista has one of the worst reputations out there, and is constantly being bombarded as Microsoft's worst ever operating system. I've encountered far too many people (some of whom are utter noobs) that absolutely despise Vista (but have never used it) because a trusted friend told him that Vista is rubbish because of [INSERT WHATEVER REASON YOU LIKE HERE].

    Hell, 1 day after Vista was officially released to the public, the company from which I purchased Vista x64 ultimate, instead of smiling and taking my money and calling for the next customer, actually tried to convince me that Vista is rubbish, that I should stick to XP, and that the whole "x64" moniker is nothing more than a clever marketing scam developed by Bill Gates' cronies at Microsoft.

    But Windows Vista was for me a godsend, that finally allowed my computer to run with the stability and performance that I never got with XP on the same hardware. Its was (then) the most stable version of Windows I had ever encountered - untill Windows 7 came along and improved even further on perfection.

    The point I'm trying make is that too many people make ill-informed decisions based on rumors or lack of information. But even though I encourage differing ideas and opinions, I will always strive to stick to the subject matter of this forum - Windows.

    If someone asks me for an alternative to Windows Search, I will try to inform him of the tools he already has, and how to use it properly, so that he will not need third-party software.

    No, DeaconFrost is not being judgemental. He's only trying to encourage people to notice and to use what they already have.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #8

    Imperfect1 said:
    A LOT of people don't care for Windows 7 Search. There is nothing wrong with offering someone an alternative, third party or not. Don't be so judgmental, DeaconFrost. . . it's good to have multiple options.
    I'm not being judgemental...I'm being honest and factual. Most people who claim to not like the Windows Search don't seem to know how to use it. Look at how many threads we've had recently of people not knowing how to search using the box in the main Explorer window. I'm a minimalist. I don't like installing extra software if it isn't needed or doesn't provide me with anything that isn't there already. The Windows Search does its job and does it quite well. If there is some feature it cannot provide, then an alternative would be necessary...but if you read back through a lot of these type threads...you'll see that most are solved by education...and not by an alternative.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
       #9

    DeaconFrost said:
    Imperfect1 said:
    A LOT of people don't care for Windows 7 Search. There is nothing wrong with offering someone an alternative, third party or not. Don't be so judgmental, DeaconFrost. . . it's good to have multiple options.
    I'm not being judgemental...I'm being honest and factual. Most people who claim to not like the Windows Search don't seem to know how to use it. Look at how many threads we've had recently of people not knowing how to search using the box in the main Explorer window. I'm a minimalist. I don't like installing extra software if it isn't needed or doesn't provide me with anything that isn't there already. The Windows Search does its job and does it quite well. If there is some feature it cannot provide, then an alternative would be necessary...but if you read back through a lot of these type threads...you'll see that most are solved by education...and not by an alternative.
    Amen ^ infinity. That is so incredibly and unfortunately true.

    However, I suppose the onus falls back on the experts of forums like this to create stickies to address issues like this and shed light on the features that many people don't yet understand.
      My Computer


 

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