Search for particular file content

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  1. Posts : 2
    Windows 7 Enterprise (Chinese-Simplified)
       #1

    Search for particular file content


    hi there,
    Is there anybody who knows how to search content in any type of file(I tried but it only applies to text files and emails) in Windows 7? I don't wanna download or setup another software to do this but just using integrated one if any. :)
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  2. Posts : 5,807
    Windows 7 Home Premium x64 - Mac OS X 10.6.4 x64
       #2

    if your talking about searching for a particular file type than yes

    ex. I want to search for all the mp3s I have
    solution: Open up start and type *.mp3...
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  3. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 Professional
       #3

    Search file contents


    I didn't see any answers to this question so here is one:
    How to Make Windows 7 Search File Contents: 6 steps - wikiHow

    That being said, it still doesn't search file contents of extensions that I have changed to search the contents as in the above page. In fact, when I create a text file that has the contents that I am searching for, it still doesn't work. Same goes for a word doc or an html document. This is insane, the search within file contents option worked just fine in XP.
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  4. Posts : 6
    windows 7
       #4

    I do agree: I'm really disappointed on 7: I miss -among a lot of other things- the feature of searching files by content.
    (It is incredibly surprising how after so much time and the Vista fiasco, still basic things like this have just been removed. Not to talk about non refreshing the content of a Window after you have just moved a file.
    Amazing !!!
    Definitely I'm moving to Linux or Mac.)
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  5. Posts : 1
    windows 7
       #5

    So that is no such "search" function as the previous one in XP? I am so disappointed with this!
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  6. Posts : 5,440
    Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #6

    kenouyang said:
    So that is no such "search" function as the previous one in XP? I am so disappointed with this!
    If you say exactly what you want to do, I'm sure one of the members will provide the route to success, just ask!
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  7. Posts : 5,056
    Windows 7 x64 pro/ Windows 7 x86 Pro/ XP SP3 x86
       #7

    Heres a method posted on Search inside files does not work by a user called CTN222.

    "Using windows explorer; from the left side select the folder you want to search.
    Then in the upper right hand corner (search box) enter what you would like to search for, lets say "test"

    At first windows will search for all files that have "test" as part of the file name, but if you

    SCROLL to the bottom of the search results you can see the following:

    Search again in:

    Libraries / Computer / Custom / Internet / File Contents

    Click on File Contents and it will perform a search within the files for the keyword "test"."
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  8. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #8

    I would like to be able to search any type of text file in a folder and sub folders for a specific string and have the files containg the string highlighted (and the string). I think the requests above want a similar capability. The method pointed to by Bill2 apparently only works for the following.
    ".php text file is not supported by Windows Search.
    Supported: doc, dot, htm, html, mht, one, rtf, txt, xml"

    I want to be able to search whole directories/folders of software source files with extensions like (*.c, *.f95, etc) for specific strings.
    Do I simply need to tell Windows to add extensions to it's list?
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  9. Posts : 136
    Windows 7 RTM x86
       #9

    mjf said:
    I would like to be able to search any type of text file in a folder and sub folders for a specific string and have the files containg the string highlighted (and the string). I think the requests above want a similar capability. The method pointed to by Bill2 apparently only works for the following.
    ".php text file is not supported by Windows Search.
    Supported: doc, dot, htm, html, mht, one, rtf, txt, xml"

    I want to be able to search whole directories/folders of software source files with extensions like (*.c, *.f95, etc) for specific strings.
    Do I simply need to tell Windows to add extensions to it's list?
    First of all, you should index the folder in which the file is located. Then type "indexing" in Start Search Box, and open Indexing Options > Advanced. Go to the "file types" tab. Now find the extension you are looking for, for example, *.c and select "Index properties and file contents" under "How should this file be indexed?".
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  10. Posts : 5,642
    Windows 10 Pro (x64)
       #10

    Open folder options, go to the search tab look for "What to search" and pick "Always search files names and contents" be warned that this will slow down searches.
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