Explorer search problem

[mjf]

I try searching for a file which lives under My Documents. When I search from the root c: it's found without a problem. When I search from Documents or My documents (where it lives) it's not found.
Any idea what the problem could be?

 

[Jacee]

Download Explorer PlusPlus and book mark the folder Explorer++ - A small and fast file manager for Windows

 

[Ryan2320]

If you are in the documents folder can you see your file? without searching.

Is this file hidden?

Instead searching your file from C:, try searching it in the start menu. What are the results?

Hope this Helps..

 

[Kari]

The reason is most probably the two different search engines of Windows 7. Read more here: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/83245-windows-7-two-search-engines.html

Searching from the root includes also the non-indexed locations and files, that's why it's more extensive.

Kari

 

[mjf]

I'm still having problems after exploring a number of options.
Problem again:
- I can search filenames ok under root c:\. The 2 search engines explain this.
- Under Start I can find only some
- In explorer logged on as the user and in my documents I can't find anything

Under Indexing options the folder appears to be selected.

So I tried to rebuild the index. This is supposed to take quite some time but appears to finish quickly.

I'm totally confused!

 

[surfasb]

As am I.

 

[mjf]

As am I.

Do you mean my explanation of the problem is not clear?

Tell me this - If I click "rebuild the index" then after the warning that this may take some time & I click OK how do I know when the rebuild has completed?

 

[Kari]

Rebuilding index takes quite some time, depending on how many locations there's to index, and how many files you have in those locations.

You can see the current status of indexing process on top of the Indexing Options window. If the indexing slows your computer down, you can pause indexing for 15 minutes by clicking the Pause button.

You can add and remove index locations by clicking the Modify button.

Kari

 

[mjf]

I press rebuild. Some searching activity for a few seconds and this is what I end with. It says indexing complete and task manager (and process explorer) show no sign of activity.
Does the "rebuild" affect only the current user account? Even so I have over 400 jpgs alone in this account.

 

[Kari]

Your screenshot shows you have included almost nothing to indexing. Click the Modify button, choose from upper part of the window the drives and folders you want to include to index.

Kari

 

[mjf]

Kari,
after modify here is the screenshot. Under users, the current account user has all folders ticked.
Could you elaborate on your feeling that I have inicated little to index. Thanks for your help.
Michael

 

[Kari]

What I meant is that your previous screenshot showed you have only 351 items indexed. You also told you have over 400 pics on that account. Simple mathematics: it doesn't add up.

Check once more that all user folders and their subfolders are included in indexing.

Kari

 

[mjf]

I think all the boxes are ticked. Under "Michael" 9,500 files hidden in AppData, 1,000 files that should be searchable.

Advice from another forum (MS) was to quote "In short, Windows Search simply does nor work"... install a good third party tool !!!!!!

How many third party tools do I need to install

 

[Barman58]

One other thing to check - use the advanced options on the Indexing Options dialogue and check that the file types you are looking for are included in the search list.

Things such as .JPG should be included but I have seen occasions where these get de-selected.

 

[Bill2]

Hi mjf,

A few things to check:

1) For files to be indexed, the folder containing the files must have SYSTEM permissions. These may have been removed. Right-click the My Documents folder. Select the Properties option. Click the Security tab. If SYSTEM is in the Group or user names box, system permissions is not the problem. If SYSTEM does not appear in the Group or user names box, click the Edit… button to open the Permissions dialog. In the Permissions dialog, click the Add… button. In the Select Users, Computers, Service Accounts, or Groups dialog, enter system in the Enter the object names to select box and click the Check Names button. Select SYSTEM from the list of Matching names and click OK.

2) Run an ATTRIB command on the My Documents folder from the command line. Does it have the "I" attrib? That is the indexing exclusion attrib and if so, the folder will be excluded from indexing.

3) Do you have McAffee installed? That sometimes causes this problem. Try uninstalling it completely, then rebuild the index and see if it helps.

 

[mjf]

1) SYSTEM permissions are present.
2) ATTRIB "my documents" does not show the "I" attribute. (My Documents is a junction point and I don't really undrstand them)
3) I am running McAfee. Stopping it is ok but completely removing it uses up a license. Probably will dump McAfee when the license runs out.

Some additional info:
(1) I restored an image from a month ago but this time carefully went through the event log and it did report "Catalog is corrupt". Anyway, I can't rebuild the index.
(2) Explorer searches fine from the root, c:\ but not from a lower folder (directory).
(3) From command prompt I can go into any directory and search it and it's sub directories without a problem. Dir *whatever* /s.

I'd be content to do non indexed searches from Explorer if I could start it from a specific folder and not the root.

 

[mjf]

In addition to SYSTEM /Users has permission "Everyone" - could this be causing a problem with Windows search/indexing?

 

[Bill2]

hello again mjf,

Looks like Windows Search really IS broken. Hopefully sp1 will have some fixes.

As an alternative, there is a great freeware search tool GREPWIN that is accessible via the right mouse button on a folder.

grepWin | Stefan's Tools