Search not finding files

GRoston · 22 Jun 2011

I recently needed to find some files (MS Word which contained a specific word). From Windows Explorer, I selected the root of the directory in which I thought the files resided, entered the word I wanted to find in the Search box, and 16 files were found.

I then repeated the search using a stand-alone search tool and it found several hundred files.

I looked at the search options and they ARE configured to search the directory in question and MS Word documents. (Since some files were found, it seems reasonable to assume that the search options are configured properly.) It also reported that my system was fully indexed.

Why does Windows Search fail to find files being sought?

CreepinJesus · 22 Jun 2011

Did you select both .doc and .docx files in your search?

brianzion · 22 Jun 2011

hi :)
have a read of brinks tutorial >>> How to Search in Windows 7 Search in Windows 7

Before doing a search in Windows 7, you should make sure that you have set your Search Options for the What to search, How to search, and When searching non-indexed locations settings. If you have the index enabled (it is by default), then you should also have any locations and file types added to be indexed so they will be included in the search results when doing a search. If the files have been recently changed, then the index may not have finshed updating yet and you will need to manually rebuild the index to force it to update now.

To be able to search in libraries, the Windows Search service needs to be Started and set to Automatic. Libraries require it's included folders to also be added to the index to be tracked properly even though they will still open properly.

GRoston · 22 Jun 2011

CreepInJesus - I specified neither - I wanted to find the word in documents of all types though I suspected what I wanted was in a MS Word document.

brianzio - I believe that search and indexing are configured properly. The folders in question are indexed; and .doc and .docx have associated filters and contents are indexed. The Windows Search service is set to Automatic (delayed) and is running. I do not understand the comment about libraries. The files I was seeking have not been modified in years, so there should be no questions about the index's being up to date.

CreepinJesus · 22 Jun 2011

Are there any encrypted files in the search? Indexing encrypted files is disabled by default (as I found out earlier). After enabling it, the index is rebuilt.

GRoston · 22 Jun 2011

CreepinJesus said:

Are there any encrypted files in the search?

No encrypted files.