More on search hell

gilmoses said:

Ok, I think the wildcard trick does not work for file contents... try this:
Create a folder, say, 'Gil', in it create a text file with any name.
Edit the file, type in: TryToFindThis - then save.
Navigate to folder Gil, in the search bar type: "Try": the file is found.
Now type: To, or *To* - nothing.
Gil.

You find it if you also mark the extension with wildcard(s) for instance *To*.*


Remember:

• wildcard * (asterisk) replaces zero to 255 characters (maximum length of filename)
  
  • Ka*ri.* = all files starting with Ka and ending with ri, any extension (Kari.txt, Katamaran_ri.jpg, Kalahari.doc etc.)
• wildcard ? (question mark) replaces one character
  
  • pic???.* = all files with a six character name where three first characters are pic, any extension (picABC.png, pic123.jpg etc.)
  • pic???.j* = as above but extension must start with j (pic777.jpeg, picxyz.jpg, picA93.jpg2 etc.)
  • Memo_2010????.doc = all files where filename starts with Memo_2010, followed by four characters, extension doc

Kari

gilmoses said:

Hi Anak,

Ok, *Persist* found the file. However this is the only way to find it and Windows Help doesn't tell you the file won't be found otherwise.

Thanks for that!

Gil.

Your welcome!

Kari said:

Anak said:

Peter, would the command line work even if the HDD was not Indexed?

I'm not Peter but please allow me to answer: Yes.
Kari

That's quite all right Kari, I always felt the more the merrier!
I wonder what size surf board or Skis Dzomlija would need.

Dzomlija said:

Sorry 'bout that, I'm a bit daft this morning [HITTING MYSELF ON THE HEAD], and should've remembered the wildcards.

Dz, don't be so hard on yourself.
I'm a little off my sleep schedule myself.


Gil I would think it would come under this

Kari said:

• wildcard * (asterisk) replaces zero to 255 characters (maximum length of filename)
  
  • Ka*ri.* = all files starting with Ka and ending with ri, any extension (Kari.txt, Katamaran_ri.jpg, Kalahari.doc etc.)
  
  

Kari

Try using a word that you know exists in the file.

Okay Gilmoses, I'll give it a try.

In the meantime I was looking at this:
find file containing text inside the file - Vista Forums

gilmoses said:

Kari I was referring to the file CONTENTS, not name.

Please try out my example as I described...
Thanks!
Gil.

My bad, sorry.

Found this: Using the "A word or phrase in the file" search criterion may not work

Kari

Here's another one:
text search

There's also a couple of third-party apps that may interest you.

Just a thought:



Check that you have text files (.txt, .doc, .xml etc.) set to index also the contents.