How To Search For Files Using File name Only In Windows 7

Yes date modified and size are the only filters that show in general folders when clicking in the search box. If you were My Pictures or My Music you would see different filters.

But if you know the filter then you can just type it. A ":" is required after any filter. So typing filename: or ext: in explorer you should see it turn blue then you type the filename or extension you wish to search for.

No changes to the index options are required to use the filters. More filters and examples can be found here.

EDIT: Did you try typing kind:
and get a list of types?
 

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Duzzy, thanks for this information. Yes I can now find the extra search filters in My pictures etc. which is good to know. Also using the search syntax is something interesting and new I have learned. I am still confused though how to use the search syntax method to search based only on file name and not content.

I tried searching My computer using the syntax name:julia and it found everything that was a jpg file or a folder with images associated with the name julia. For some reason, it could not find other things like word files with the name julia.

Then I tried using Kind:julia and this found a lot of stuff that did not have Julia in the file name.

Is there a syntax that can find all file types based only on file name and not on content just like third parts search programs can?

Kind Regards

Chris
 

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Not too sure. I find windows 7 search to be a little dodgy at times but you could try filename:Julia and see if that returns the other file types or filename:Julia ext:*

kind: is more when searching for a type of file,
eg. kind:=document returns .doc, .txt, .xls, .xml, .html etc...
kind:=picture returns .jpg, .bmp, .png, .gif etc...

When you type kind: a list should appear containing the different kinds and you then select one from that list by clicking on it.
 

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Thanks for the suggestion. filename:Julia and name:julia and filename:Julia ext:* and file:julia all return the same results with image files or folders only without word docs or other file types.

I will keep trying other combinations.

Kind Regards

Chris
 

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I hope you get something working but you might find a 3rd party program easier.
Good luck.
 

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Thanks for the suggestion. filename:Julia and name:julia and filename:Julia ext:* and file:julia all return the same results with image files or folders only without word docs or other file types.

I think that you can use multiple filters at the same time.

The problem is Microsoft's useless help.
I couldn't find any references about filters in the Help files.
You didn't need to know a special undocumented language to search in XP. :(

Here are some links I found related to "Advanced Query Syntax":
Advanced Query Syntax (Windows)
Advanced tips for searching in Windows
Advanced Query Syntax - Windows 7 Tutorial

IMO, if you have installed some of the other search programs (recommended previously in other comments) you may as well use them (chances are that they are more effective and easier to use).
 

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I hope you get something working but you might find a 3rd party program easier.
Good luck.
And more reliable. Checkout MS own answers forum for those who have issues with the inbuilt Search. It works fine on my current PC but failed me miserably on my other PC. I spent considerable time attempting to fix it - rebuild index etc etc etc. It failed to find files I was staring at.
Once you lose faith in a Search capability then that's it as far as I am concerned.
File Locator Lite is a very good product with complex Boolean search constructs if you choose.

I accept those who don't trust Windows inbuilt imaging and opt for a 3rd party app (eg. Macrium). The same should be the case with the Windows search engine.
 

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I have had problems with Window 7 indexing. Mine just plain doesn't work. I have tried forums. Nothing useful from that, but using Just Answer I got this solution, which works for me.

Download Everything

Best Regards.
 

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I have had problems with Window 7 indexing. Mine just plain doesn't work. I have tried forums. Nothing useful from that, but using Just Answer I got this solution, which works for me.

Download Everything

Best Regards.
I use that occasionally and it is powerful but I much prefer the interface and options with File Locator Lite for everyday use - just a personal opinion.

I accept that if you are searching a very large archive then a reliable indexed search would be preferred.
 

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To each his own ... FileSearchEX for me ... somedays I love getting down low level on the cmd line, other times I want my hand held ...
 

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Well after reading all this and trying some of the suggestion again as I did a long time ago, I just went back to using Search Everything.
 

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Well after reading all this and trying some of the suggestion again as I did a long time ago, I just went back to using Search Everything.

lol ... I love your passion for a product that won't search inside files! Ahh it's okay ... to each his own. All types of cars out on the road, my buddies all have their favs ... but have you tried FileSearchEX? You don't ever searching inside files?
 

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Asus Maximus V Gene
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nVidia Geforce 660 GTX
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Filco Majestouch Tenkeyless Black MX
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Well after reading all this and trying some of the suggestion again as I did a long time ago, I just went back to using Search Everything.

lol ... I love your passion for a product that won't search inside files! Ahh it's okay ... to each his own. All types of cars out on the road, my buddies all have their favs ... but have you tried FileSearchEX? You don't ever searching inside files?
File Locator Lite (Agent Ransack) has no problem searching within any file. You can easily use Boolean constructs if you are comfortable with them. You can filter by file size bands and date bands. So you could for example search for a pdf file larger than 1MB, created between dates A and B which contains "text string 1" OR "text string 2"

It also has a hand holding mode if desired.
 

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Norton Security Premium, Malwarebytes on 2 (MSE on 3rd PC)
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I think the answer to the whole Windows 7 search function is to use the Wildcard function.

For example: when searching for part of the filename (which is how I, personally, ALWAYS seem to search for a file) such as the File "UN123-0145"...

Type in the search box: *0145

By adding the (wildcard) * (asterisk symbol), you will search for part of the filename that you are looking for.

:cool:
 

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Thanks for the suggestion about using the asterisk * (wildcard). I never knew that. Following the previous suggestions on this thread I have also found the "Everything" programe very useful.

Kind Regards
Chris
 

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Desktop Win 10 Pro 64 bit, Laptop Win 7 Home ...Desktop Intel i7 4790 CPU 3.6 GHz, Laptop AMD...Desktop 16 Gbt, Laptop 4 GbtDesktop nvidea GeForce NTX960, Laptop AMD Rae...
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Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Desktop Custom built, Laptop Lenovo G575 Model 20081
OS
Desktop Win 10 Pro 64 bit, Laptop Win 7 Home 64 bit
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Desktop Intel i7 4790 CPU 3.6 GHz, Laptop AMD C-50 1GHz
Motherboard
ASUS H81 Gamer
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Desktop 16 Gbt, Laptop 4 Gbt
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Desktop nvidea GeForce NTX960, Laptop AMD Raedon HD 6250M
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Desktop onboard Realtec high definition audio nvidea HD aud
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BENQ G900 Digital 19 inch
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1024 x 768
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Seagate 4 Tbt SSHD
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Thermaltake 1000W
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Thermaltake
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Onboard case fans
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Standard PS/2
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A4 Tech optical wireless PS/2
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10 Mbps
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Microsoft Security Essentials
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DVD Samsung TSST corp CDDVDW - SATA
Your welcome Chris.
 

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INTEL SSD 730-240 Gb Sata 3.0/
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Phanteks Luxe Tempered Glass 8 fans/ one radiator
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Das 4 Professional
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100 mbits
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Microsoft Security Essentials/ Malwarebytes Premium 3.0/ SAS
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I.E. 11 default/Firefox/ ISP Time Warner Cable/Spectrum
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LG BluRay Burner/
Sound system-KLipsch-THX/
Icy Dock ssd Hot Swap bays.
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