My windows 7 search function fails to find files I know are there.

[randar23rhenn]

When I type a search into either the start menu or a folder search or anywhere it fails to find files. I tried re-indexing, but it actually reduced my index from ~3500 to 279 files. I don't understand why it won't find anything.

I transferred a lot of folders from my old computer (Vista) to this one via my external hard drive. It will not find any files from those folders. For example, I have MS Word documents from school and even if I open the exact folder its in and search the exact name it won't find any results.

Worse, I have an extensive library of public domain books in various folders but I used the search to find things. Now, even if I'm in the exact folder a file is in it won't find it. For example, if a file is named "JJ Blunt, Undesigned Coincidences" and I search that exact phrase while looking at the file in a folder, it will say no results found. If I search "Blunt" or "JJ" the same thing happens.

I've searched google for hours and found no answers that worked. The only thing that has done anything is if I right click an individual file, go to properties, go to details, tell it to remove all personal information, and then it will index and search for it. But I have literally 10s of 1000s of files I want to search, and to do this manually would take at least a full day. Is there any way to make this work?

Even more startling, documents I've made with this computer and put into folders from my old computer to maintain my sorting system will not show up either. So the only files it will find are those in folders I've made on this computer and have files made on this computer. Not a single other file will be found.

I am very frustrated right now, having tried everything to make Windows 7 actually search and find files I know are there. Can someone please help me?

 

[randar23rhenn]

Here's what i have tried: redoing the index; moving a folder into a folder created on this computer; adding folders to the library; changing folder properties; changing the index to index file properties and file contents; etc.

Please, someone help!

 

[AddRAM]

Well if you know the files are there, then why are you searching for them ?
Just go to where you put them, hopefully in my Documents.

 

[Sir George]

Here's what i have tried: redoing the index; moving a folder into a folder created on this computer; adding folders to the library; changing folder properties; changing the index to index file properties and file contents; etc.

Please, someone help!

The built in search in Windows 7 is not my choice for searching for files or folders. I use and recommend using Agent Ransack from Mythicsoft. You can download it from;

http://www.mythicsoft.com/page.aspx?type=agentransack&page=home

This is a personal preference, others seem to find MS search to be just fine.

HTH

 

[und3rtak3r02]

Even more startling, documents I've made with this computer and put into folders from my old computer to maintain my sorting system will not show up either. So the only files it will find are those in folders I've made on this computer and have files made on this computer. Not a single other file will be found.

I don't want my comment to sound condescending...

I assume you allowed a reasonable time for the imported folders to be indexed?
Are the folders included in the "Included Locations" in "Indexing Options". ( I assume you have)
Have you checked the properties of the affected folders?
Check the Security Permissions of the folders.. "SYSTEM" should have full rights. (their may be other "Ownership" issues at play. Be sure that YOU have full permissions to the files and folders
On the "General Tab" - click advanced - is "Allow files in this folder to have contents indexed ...etc" Ticked?

 

[randar23rhenn]

@und3rtak3r02-

I've had the computer for over a year, so presumably it would have been able to index those files by now. Yes, I tried all those things already. It still won't read them.

@AddRAM-

That's not very helpful. If you had several thousands of documents and knew they were in a folder within a folder within a folder somewhere, would you want to spend lengths of time looking for them?

 

[randar23rhenn]

I did a test to see if copying and pasting a file somewhere would make it searchable. Apparently if I copy and paste (not cut, mind you), then it will suddenly be indexed. Hopefully this works for the whole folder. 4 hours to go for the copying of 70 gigs!

 

[randar23rhenn]

Now that I've copied the folder, it searched easily for about a minute. Now it has stopped being able to search again. I don't understand what the issue is.

 

[randar23rhenn]

Here's what i have tried: redoing the index; moving a folder into a folder created on this computer; adding folders to the library; changing folder properties; changing the index to index file properties and file contents; etc.

Please, someone help!

The built in search in Windows 7 is not my choice for searching for files or folders. I use and recommend using Agent Ransack from Mythicsoft. You can download it from;

http://www.mythicsoft.com/page.aspx?type=agentransack&page=home

This is a personal preference, others seem to find MS search to be just fine.

HTH

Thank you very much for this. I now downloaded that program and installed it. Unlike Windows 7, which seems to be incapable of detecting that a file is there, this one finds things instantly. Now I have all my archived open domain books at my fingertips! Thanks so much. I'm going to stop trying to fix Windows 7's broken system and go enjoy my books.

 

[Sir George]

Here's what i have tried: redoing the index; moving a folder into a folder created on this computer; adding folders to the library; changing folder properties; changing the index to index file properties and file contents; etc.

Please, someone help!

The built in search in Windows 7 is not my choice for searching for files or folders. I use and recommend using Agent Ransack from Mythicsoft. You can download it from;

http://www.mythicsoft.com/page.aspx?type=agentransack&page=home

This is a personal preference, others seem to find MS search to be just fine.

HTH

Thank you very much for this. I now downloaded that program and installed it. Unlike Windows 7, which seems to be incapable of detecting that a file is there, this one finds things instantly. Now I have all my archived open domain books at my fingertips! Thanks so much. I'm going to stop trying to fix Windows 7's broken system and go enjoy my books.

Thanks for the reply. I'm glad you found the software useful.