How To Search For Files Using File name Only In Windows 7

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  1. Posts : 170
    Desktop Win 10 Pro 64 bit, Laptop Win 7 Home 64 bit
       #1

    How To Search For Files Using File name Only In Windows 7


    I have followed the instructions to search for files in Windows 7 but have found the process very slow and the results bring up lots of irrelevant files.

    Find a file or folder

    By comparison the search companion on XP was much faster and got more relevant results based on file name. If that didn't work there was the option of searching for text within the file.

    For example I know inside a folder there is a sub folder with the file I am looking for and I know part of the name. Is there a way to make Win 7 search for results based only on the file name? In most cases that would be a lot simpler. Otherwise win 7 will look in the contents of the file which is a time waster.

    Your thoughts woyuld be appreciated.

    Kind Regards

    Chris
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,795
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #2

    Have you done any system tweaking to alter the default behavior? I see several people complain about the search function, but to be honest, it puts Windows XP's to shame. I use it often to find files by name, and it works beautifully.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 170
    Desktop Win 10 Pro 64 bit, Laptop Win 7 Home 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #3

    I have all my drives index linked for faster searching. I am using Win 7 32 bit with a duo core E5500 2.8 Ghz x2 and 3 Gbt Ram. I have no idea if I did anything in the past that might change default search behaviour. I did install something that allows folders to be moved around instead of the default grid positions. I also installed a psd file icon viewer that required some registry changes. I can't think of anything else.

    Kind Regards

    Chris
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 7
    7 x64
       #4

    If you want the XP style search back you might find this interesting:

    Can I restore the XP style search to Windows 7? - Microsoft Answers
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  5. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
       #5

    Can you explain the exact process and search strings you've used so far, the goal of the search, and the results you've gotten?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 27
    windows XP2 32 bit
       #6

    No need for anything complicated. Just type what you're looking for. If it's in the file name, those results will be returned first, above any results where your search term is inside the file.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 640
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #7

    This might help - Search file names only

    You can search by just about whatever you want, using search filters. If you want to search by name, just go to the search box and use the name: filter, like this:

    name:epson
    Although listed as obsolete after Windows XP this page also states the filter "filename:" which also works but may be better. Many other filters listed as well.

    And - Search file names only, READ FULL POST, don't recommend.
    The setting is in Explorer, right click on drive properties, and under general tab, clear checkbox titled "Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties".

    However
    BTW by default W7 only searches contents in indexed locations and it is not recommended to index entire drives.
    Last edited by Duzzy; 30 May 2012 at 08:50.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 170
    Desktop Win 10 Pro 64 bit, Laptop Win 7 Home 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #8

    Thank you all for your comments. I have downloaded agent ransack recommended in one of the links and will try it out.

    Agent Ransack - Free File Searching Utility

    As an example of the problem I have been experiencing I might type in a simple expression in the search box like julia and end up with a never ending search with hundreds of irrelevant results including file types that have nothing to do with what I am searchihng for. I have no idea how to include filters in the search criteria. For example if I just want to search for jpg files or doc files what do I need to do?

    Kind Regards

    Chris
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1,814
    XP / Win7 x64 Pro
       #9

    You don't need any third party software to do a search for documents with "julia" in the name.

    Search in Windows 7
    Windows Search - Configure and Use
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  10. Posts : 170
    Desktop Win 10 Pro 64 bit, Laptop Win 7 Home 64 bit
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Thanks for your thoughts.

    As an example using the Win 7 search utility I typed in Julia in the start menu and got 3655 results. Admittedly for some reason this time it was very fast and took about 10-15 seconds. However, 95% of of the 3655 search results did not have julia in the file name and it would have taken me a long time to find what I was looking for.

    I tried the agent ransack utility and it took 4 and a half minutes and got 177 results and it was much easier to find what I was looking for.

    Then I installed the Everything search utility and was blown away with its speed. The first time it ran it took about 10 to 15 seconds to do the initial search or index the drive or whatever. After that it ran like lightning. I typed in Julia and it searched my entire computer and got 119 results which was just what I was looking for in less than one second. I tried various other words and as soon as I had typed the last letter of the word all the results were there instantly. I am definitely keeping this programme.

    I suspect though that I still need to learn how to get the best results from the Windows 7 search utility. I don't know if its possible to search using file name only or apply filters to the search.

    Kind Regards

    Chris
      My Computer


 
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