Windows 7: Is it possible to search for multiple file types in Windows 7?

I want to enter, in one go, something like, "*.txt,*.pdf,*.xls", in windows explorer search bar. This syntax doe not seem to work. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.



Andy

Enter it this way *.txt OR *.PDF OR *.xls

OR in capital letters

Thanks pbcopter, your solution worked like a dream. My problem is now solved.

Regards

Andy

You're welcome.

Paul

Too add to pbcopter's good advice, if the file types you are looking for are of one 'kind'. you can use one of the filters. For instance, pbcopter's examples are all considered documents, so if you compose your search as "kind:doc" (minus quotes), it will find all of the formats that comply with the 'kind:doc' filter.

You can also combine filters. In example, if you were looking for a series of documents in different formats, all pertaining to the same topic and having similar filenames, your search would look like this:

name:*sevenforums kind:docs

Your returned results might be:

commandline posts sevenforums.pdf
using taskmanager sevenforums.doc, etc.

If you were to add the tag: filter to the mix, you could narrow your search further (assuming you use tags).

Learning the Win 7 search configuration and syntax makes for a powerful search utility. Of course, you may not need more than searching on multiple formats. It's just about what works for you. If you decide you want to look into the capabilities of Win 7 search, here are a few links:

Windows Search - Configure and Use

Windows Search Advanced Query Syntax

James

Another question for you Paul (et al), if you don,t mind. I have a (NAS) drive with all my MP3 filles and i ultimately wish to remove ALL other file types. There are other file types existing that I wish to remove for which your solution works splendidly. For example I have just used the following example "*.tif OR *.!bt OR *.exe OR *.db OR *.qdat OR *.asd OR *.xx* OR *.rar OR *.ini OR *.sfk OR *.gif OR *.torrent". This method does indeed work But what I would love to do is use the NOT operator (see image) but this pulls in folders as well. Is there any way to exclude folders from being included in the search results somehow.

Thanks also for the other kind suggestion of experimenting with the KIND operator, I've got to get my head around that one first.

Regards

Andy

Try:

NOT *mp3, type:NOT folder

To James,

It worked. It's an efficient search parameter. Both you guys have, (and will), saved me a lot of fiddling about. I'll use that saved time into putting up the wife's shelves she ASKS me to do.

What a great site this is.

Andy B.