I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file

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  1. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #11

    4wd said:
    jeez, once upon a time searching for lost files was a simple, easy and failsafe task i windows.
    It still is. Extremely easy, fast and reliable. You just need to know how to use Windows Search.

    You of course know that Agent Ransack is a light version of File Locator. Here some tests I have made between File Locator and Windows Search: More on search hell

    Kari
      My Computer


  2. 4wd
    Posts : 337
    W7, W8.1
       #12

    You of course know that Agent Ransack is a light version of File Locator. Here some tests I have made between File Locator and Windows Search: More on search hell
    Can only quote mjf in #53

    Here are the results of my tests which still convince me Agent Ransack / FileLocator Lite(FLL) is here to stay for me. Windows for me at least (and others I'm sure) is an untrusty/flaky piece of software.
    Some are happy with w7 search (IMO a bizarre and clumsy interface (when it comes to setting criterias) + a tendency to return no or random results), but many are dissatisfied, and do experience problems performing even the simplest searches.

    Whatever the situation, Agent Ransack (one among many dedicated search programs) is an alternative, free to try out then simply see from practical use if one likes it over w7 search, or (as I do) use w7 search for some tasks, and Agent for others (as when there is reason to believe w7 did not return correct or complete results).
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #13

    Of course I understand not everyone is capable to learn and understand the simple instructions and usage of Windows Search, and might therefore not find what he / she is looking for, thus needing some third party help in this extremely simple task. Luckily my very limited capacity has been enough to learn Windows Search, and it has never failed me. I have always found what I have been looking for, and I'll bet if we could organize a search competition with identical machines I could search and find anything on Windows using its own search faster than another user with any of these third party tools.

    4wd said:
    Some are happy with w7 search (IMO a bizarre and clumsy interface (when it comes to setting criterias) + a tendency to return no or random results)
    We obviously have a different opinion about clumsy interface. A few minutes ago I had to search one Windows computer for all images that have my name Kari or the name Larry included in filename, and which are created before June 2012.

    Windows Search simple search string kind:image name:kari OR name:larry before:June 2012 and results (the "clumsy" search interface as you called it highlighted):

    I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-search_1.png

    And then File Locator (Agent Ransack). Alone setting the before date took longer than typing the whole search string in Windows search. And, of course, search found nothing for you can't just set two partial filenames as search criteria so easily:

    I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-search_2.png

    (To help comparing I highlighted the part you call clumsy in Windows Search.)

    Kari
    Last edited by Kari; 20 Jan 2013 at 14:55. Reason: So many typos...
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #14

    I think if one spends more time learning how to use Windows Explorier Search and less time condemning it they will become a happier computer person.
      My Computer


  5. 4wd
    Posts : 337
    W7, W8.1
       #15

    Am happy for you, being satisfied is the whole point, as I am using both Agent Ransack and W7 search, each as needed and for their own and different purpose. As some of my work and income depends on a reliable search, am using the tools that fits best.

    Of course I understand not everyone is capable to learn and understand the simple instructions and usage of Windows Search, and might therefore not find what he / she is looking for, thus needing some third party help in this extremely simple task


    Regarding the OP's avi problem, a practical test:
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-s1.jpg   I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-s2.jpg   I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-s4.jpg   I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-s3.jpg  
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #16

    4wd said:
    Regarding the OP's avi problem, a practical test:
    Referring to the first sentence in my previous post, please see your edited screenshots below to learn correct usage of Windows Search:

    I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-251259d1358771168-i-need-some-help-searching-specific-avi-file-s3.jpg

    I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-251257d1358771168-i-need-some-help-searching-specific-avi-file-s1.jpg

    Kari
      My Computer


  7. 4wd
    Posts : 337
    W7, W8.1
       #17

    Am trying to help the OP by replicating some of the problems he\she may have been facing, and providing a solution, in this specific case Agent Ransack always finds the actual file type, w7 search never.

    FYI, the 'kind = movie' was automatically inserted by windows when choosing 'movie' from the drop down list of available file types. Is windows search doing something wrong ?? impossible, of course lol. But you may not know about those drop down lists.

    And btw, ext:avi tried as well, no match.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-s.jpg  
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 19,383
    Windows 10 Pro x64 ; Xubuntu x64
       #18

    Thanks Kari! I never understood Windows search until I read your hand full of posts here. Now I have mastered it - its far easier than I realised :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 17,545
    Windows 10 Pro x64 EN-GB
       #19

    4wd said:
    Am trying to help the OP by replicating some of the problems he\she may have been facing, and providing a solution, in this specific case Agent Ransack always finds the actual file type, w7 search never.

    FYI, the 'kind = movie' was automatically inserted by windows when choosing 'movie' from the drop down list of available file types. Is windows search doing something wrong ?? impossible, of course lol. But you may not know about those drop down lists.

    And btw, ext:avi tried as well, no match.
    Wrong. Windows does not automatically put that kind of string on search field. Correct usage is either kind:movie or kind:=movie (also kind := movie works, important character is the colon :). If you select a search criteria from drop down menu, it automatically adds both colon and equal characters:

    I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-search_5.png

    I am also only trying to show OP a simple solution to his issue. An added point in my posts, a point very important for me, is that as so often you do not really need third party solutions to solve simple issues like this.

    There's a simple trick to check if your search criteria syntax is correct. It turns blue if correct, stays black if not.

    Correct, criteria written in blue:

    I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-search_6.png

    Wrong, criteria written in black:

    I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-search_7.png

    Kari


    EDIT:

    Important notice, search filter kind:movie only finds "real" movie formats like ripped DVDs and so on. To search video files like AVI, WMV, MP4 and so on use filter kind:video
      My Computer


  10. 4wd
    Posts : 337
    W7, W8.1
       #20

    Important notice, search filter kind:movie only finds "real" movie formats like ripped DVDs and so on. To search video files like AVI, WMV, MP4 and so on use filter kind:video
    Good point. Tried kind:video, it found 14 of the 15 avi's on this pc. Not bad lol.

    Whatever, an interesting discussion, and learned a few things both in Agent Ransack and W search. As for the original topic, let's hope the OP has succeeded (if the files are there) by either 1. Somehow mastered W search (and made it work properly for his purpose), 2. Giving Agent R. a try (and quite immediately finding the files).

    Here's another example of why I treat W search with a dose of skepticism, the missing results (131 vs 146) may have some explanation, but good thing about Agent R it never needs any special explanation, setting or doubts, just digs up what's there.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-s7.jpg   I need some help on searching for a specific .avi file-s8.jpg  
      My Computer


 
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