File Search Not Working--Folders

[fordohio]

I have a directory/folder with 30,000 pdf files--have moved and copied the folder around and now the search function no longer works--I can search for a file name and it says it can't find it but I can see it in the folder---Search used to work before I had to move and rename the folder--

How can I fix this issue??

Thanks

windows 7
The folder is almost 15 megabytes with many scanned pdf files

 

[mjm6783]

Not sure if this will help, but I use Google desktop at work and I've never been more impressed with a search tool. We have a huge network of shared files, including templates and date specific client files. Without a strong search feature we would be totally screwed. I recommend giving it a try.

 

[FliGi7]

How and where are you searching for the file? If it's from the Start-> Search box, my guess is you moved it to a place that is not being indexed, so you'll have to add it to the list of directories indexed.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/17854-index-locations-add-remove.html

 

[tom3terrific]

I was forced to switch from XP to W7 "Premium" This file search issue has ruined me. EG: I have word with part of the name "resume" and I know the word "Call" is it. But I couldn't find it anywhere. So I had to try to rebuild the resume costing me extra wasted time. How do i index ALL of my files so I can find ALL of them. Thank you.

 

[James Colbert]

I have a directory/folder with 30,000 pdf files--have moved and copied the folder around and now the search function no longer works--I can search for a file name and it says it can't find it but I can see it in the folder---Search used to work before I had to move and rename the folder--

How can I fix this issue??

As mentioned, you likely need to add the location to indexing. If you already have, it will take time to index. Here's a good link on configuring search:

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/129437-windows-search-configure-use.html

The folder is almost 15 megabytes with many scanned pdf files

After making sure that the location is added to the index, it will take some time to index so many files (I assume, with 30,000 pdf files, you meant to say 15 Gigabytes).

You can check to see if indexing is complete via Control Panel\Indexing Options, as per screenshot:



Also, with that many pdf files, it might be beneficial to use Adobe's (or Fox's) pdf filter, which will index the contents of your many pdfs to make your .pdf searches more comprehensive.

How do i index ALL of my files so I can find ALL of them. Thank you.

See the link above. Although MS recommends against adding all of your partitions to the index, I found that it made my searches much more efficient. I added all of mine and turned off file types that I didn't want indexed (click the 'Advanced' button in Indexing Options). An example of file types I turned off is .tib files from Acronis TI, which don't require indexing. You may have other types you wish to turn off.

 

[fordohio]

Thanks for the suggestions so far--haven't had time to work on the problem today--The file size is gigabytes as you stated--and I go to library or documents and highlight the folder/directory and then use the search box in the upper right of the screen--it used to work fine until I had to move and change directory names--even copied the entire folder to a new director on the c drive and still the search doesn't work--when it finds nothing --is suggests searching the computer or a few other choices--some times if I pick one of those the green bar starts scrolling across the top of the page and after about 10 minutes it may find the files I am looking for!--it used to do this almost instantaniously as I typed in the numbes of the file name ??

I also have win7 and up graded it to a prem versions so I could use the document scanner we have--

 

[James Colbert]

If all is indexed, try searching the drive or partition you know it's on from Windows Explorer search box.

 

[tom3terrific]

I'll certainly give this a try, Thank you. TT