Windows 7: Search - Have More Accurate Search Results

   Information

By default, Windows searches using the index. While faster, search results from the index may not always be up to date or accurate due to waiting on the index to slowly update itself in the background when there is low or idle usage of the computer. You could rebuild the index to speed up updating the index, but this could get annoying if you do a lot of searches and make a lot of changes to file types and folder locations in the index list.

Normally you could also disable the index Windows Search service to have Windows default to using non-index search results. This would be fine in Vista, but in Windows 7, this would cause you to no longer be able to search in Libraries.

This tutorial will show you how to always have accurate non-indexed search results in Windows 7 and Vista without disabling the index Windows Search service.

   Tip

For some advanced searching techniques, see:

Advanced search techniques - Windows Vista Team Blog - The Windows Blog

and

Find a file or folder

and

Finding your files - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

   Warning

Non-indexed searches will take a bit longer to complete than indexed searches. It is a trade off for speed (indexed) VS accuracy (non-indexed).

1. Open the Customize Start Menu properties settings, select (dot) Search with public folders, check Search programs and Control Panel, then click on OK twice. (see screenshots below)

2. Open Search Options in Folder Options.

3. To Have Accurate Non-indexed Search Results
NOTE: This option will take a bit longer to get search results, but they will be accurate.

A) Set your seach settings like they are below, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)

4. To Use Indexed Searching
NOTE: This is the default setting. If you disbled disable the index Windows Search service, then you will need to also start and enable it again. This option will give you faster results, but may not be accurate if you did not include the location or add the file types you are searching in and for to the index, and if the index has not finished updating itself for changes you made since the last time the index was updated.

A) Uncheck the Don't use the index when searching in file folders for system files box, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)