Useless search functionality? What am I doing wrong?

Earlier today I was trying to access a file I need to use for homework (entitled "England's Foreign Policy 1515-1525"). So, rather than navigate through various files and folders, I decided to run a quick search on the start menu. However, to my surprise, any number of combinations (the full title, or just searching for "England"/"foreign"/"policy" etc.) turned up absolutely nothing. So I went into the folder where the file is located, so I could actually see it onscreen, and tried searching its name in the search bar at the top right - guess what, up pops the "No items match your search" text. :huh::sarc:

I really like Windows 7, it's running great in general for me, but can anyone tell me how to fix this issue? Search function is pretty useless if it doesn't work...

Might need to setup the indexing locations. Start > "index" > Indexing Options. You may also what this: Advanced search techniques - Windows Vista Team Blog - The Windows Blog

The entire computer is indexed, so I wouldn't think that is the problem. I'm looking over the link you provided now. Thanks for the help.

EDIT: Bit of an update, from trying out a few searches, it seems that only folders come up in results (not files).

From further testing, it appears that this only affects the "Users" folder. I can search with no problams if I move the file to the C drive or program files.

I noticed that also and it seems pretty lame to me. I never understood why file search pretty much does not work in Windows 7.

Folder or files should make no difference, when you type in the entire title of the file the darn thing should show up but it doesn't.

I'm sure there is some lame explanation this, but no matter what the excuse for this behavior it's just not acceptable. :sarc:

I've virtually fixed it just now by giving system a few more permissions on the Users folder, which seems to have cleared the issue up. Unfortunately I can't remember if I've ever messed with the permissions on that folder, so don't know whether to blame Microsoft of myself. Still, see if that solution works for you chev.

I'd blame yourself, it works for the rest of us OOTB

mdmogren said:

I'd blame yourself, it works for the rest of us OOTB

Click to expand...

It doesn't work for me.
I have a program that doesn't show up anywhere until I download and open a file that requires the missing program to open, and there it is!

I'm still looking.........

Try another search tool.

I gave up on Windows built in search capabilities. Clunky, slow, inaccurate, etc, and has been for a long time.

Best I have found is "Everything", from voidtools.com.

It's free.

Works fine on Windows 7, very fast. It re-indexes your drive every time it starts.

I have turned off Windows indexing on all drives.

Here is a sample search window. I searched for "word.exe" on all drives and these results came up in less than one second:

I'd rather blame the default folder and files options. Can the noobs please refrain from making such lame statements.

I don't have any problems finding folders that I created because I know right where they are at. But the search feature should be able to find user created folders and files without having to "fix" it.

This setting seems to have an effect, you can see where it will only search file names but not the contents unless you choose the bottom one.

dlcampbe said:

mdmogren said:

I'd blame yourself, it works for the rest of us OOTB

Click to expand...

It doesn't work for me.
I have a program that doesn't show up anywhere until I download and open a file that requires the missing program to open, and there it is!

I'm still looking.........

Click to expand...

OK, I found it, the program was in the Windows.old folder, I copied it to the Windows folder and now things are fine.

ignatzatsonic said:

Try another search tool.

I gave up on Windows built in search capabilities. Clunky, slow, inaccurate, etc, and has been for a long time.

Best I have found is "Everything", from voidtools.com.

It's free.

Works fine on Windows 7, very fast. It re-indexes your drive every time it starts.

I have turned off Windows indexing on all drives.

Here is a sample search window. I searched for "word.exe" on all drives and these results came up in less than one second:

Click to expand...

I have just dowloaded this tool and I have to say it is brilliant. I won't be using windows search again.
Thanks for the tip ignatzatsonic

Sadly "Everything" does not search file contents and that is the most important feature for me. Not that windows search does that great a job at it either, but to not do it at all is a non starter [edit]IMHO[/edit].

It is a VERY bad idea to index the entire C drive. It's no wonder search isn't working.

It is a VERY bad idea to index the entire C drive. It's no wonder search isn't working.

Click to expand...

I got it working OK now. It's just that I search the program files folder, and system files etc, reasonably regularly. I'm not bothered about performance (I have a nice new i5). Why is indexing C bad? Does it slow down searches. Thanks.

michael123 said:

...Why is indexing C bad? Does it slow down searches. Thanks.

Click to expand...

It takes longer to finish the index.

Try removing the desired folder from its "library."
I was having the same problem trying to find documents. It would only show up if I clicked on "see more results".
Then I came across this thread http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/8595-start-menu-search.html and I got it working again.

Windows 7 Search have many many problems

chev65 said:

I'd rather blame the default folder and files options. Can the noobs please refrain from making such lame statements.

I don't have any problems finding folders that I created because I know right where they are at. But the search feature should be able to find user created folders and files without having to "fix" it.

This setting seems to have an effect, you can see where it will only search file names but not the contents unless you choose the bottom one.

Click to expand...

Hi to everyone!!

Well, I find the windows search very faulty, vague and buggy...

- It usually skips some folder (specially those folders created on my previous windows xp) which are the main target of my search, because the new ones I already know where they are.

- It persist to search by file-name and contents (sometimes is good) but the most of time it brings a junk of search results that has nothing to do whit my search criteria. Why they didn't give the OPTION to search by contents OR not?

- The so mentioned indexing is to me, one of the biggest bug of windows 7.. I found that for some reason My 100 gb (c: ) Partition was suddenly crying for LOW DISK SPACE, well I know I do many things on my computer and I download many things but I usually save it on my (F: ) partition. Deleted some files (400 mb) until I have the time to check what is so big in (c: ). But less than 1 hr latter LOW DISK SPACE again.

Doing some research with the task manager, I found a file that is constantly written (second by second - unstoppable) When I go to the path of the file, it has almost 17 GB (and growing)

Take a guess..... yes!!!! you are right!!!! That is the FAMOUS windows search index file...

So, now and then, there is just a question that comes to my head:

WHAT WHERE THEY REALLY THINKING????????

Very old thread but problem persists.

I've only been using win7 for the best part of the last year and though I knew I was crippled by it's search function I didn't realise just how much I was crippled until I installed 'Everything' and ran it.

Christ! For the first time a quick, accurate look at what I've got in an easily viewable format.

A fervent 'thankyou' to that guy 'ignatz..' or whatever for the clue about 'Everything'.

+1 on "search everything"

Sadly, Windows 10 search functionality still sucks