Search on Folders Stopped Working

[pjd]

Search has stopped working from the folder right click menu - see attached error message. Works OK from disk drive right click

I'm sure Search was working from folder right click - can't say when it stopped as I don't using often, but I'm sure I would have used in the past month

 

[Brink]

Hello pjd,

This sounds like an association issue. As a test, download and merge the .reg files for the listed Directory and folder options in the tutorial below. They will restore their default associations, and hopefully fix this for you.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[pjd]

Thanks brink - but no luck

I had a look at my settings they were exactly the same as the fix, but I did the merge anyway in case I missed something

I put some folders into Libraries recently to see what it felt like, my understanding is that W7 will index Library contents automatically. I wonder if that's broken something. it would have been indexing things already indexed.

I'm loathe to rebuild the index because a) I don't see why that should fix it, because Drive->Search is OK; b) and I'm "scared" I might also lose Drive->Search.

 

[Brink]

That shouldn't have broke this.

Just to be sure, when you say "Search has stopped working from the folder right click menu", exactly what are you doing? There's not a search option in the context menu by default.

 

[indianacarnie]

I know..... thats what threw me when he first posted. I assumed it had something to do with a third party program so I didn't try to answer. The "Calibre" referenced (picture) has something to do with e-books so I'm GUESSING that ITS search function is messing up. If this is the case then a reinstall of the program might help.

 

[pjd]

Thanks guys - no, I'm definitely talking about Windows 7 Search.

I was searching the Calibre folder because I knew it had some PDFs containing the phrase 'debt buy back'. I found the pdfs I was looking for by doing a search on the e: drive.

I get the Search... item on all folders, 1st attachment shows it on c:\Program Files

Its quite possible that I installed a 3rd party widget to provide Search... on folders. I drive everything from the 'right click' menu key, so if I saw such a thing I would have grabbed it immediately. I've had windows 7 since the last beta and I sometimes forget what's native and what I've added.

And I've been doing some 'tidying up' recently so its conceivable I tidied it away permanently

Which begs the question - do you guys know of anything that will add Search... to folders.

I've attached a shot of the shell extensions I have on folders - the ones I've marked I cant readily explain - perhaps someone else can ?

Thanks pjd

 

[indianacarnie]

Contmenu definitely looks like it might have something to do with it, but I'm not familiar enough to give you any solid advice about that particular thing.

Have you tried a system restore to maybe get whatever program you used to get this search feature on your system back? I've used a few different context menu editors, but don't recall one that added a search.

 

[indianacarnie]

A quick web search just found 2 or 3 hacks/programs that will do it. Most seem to be for Vista but most things that work for Vista seem to apply to 7 too. I'm not going to post a link but if you just search for what you want ..... its there.

 

[pjd]

This looks familiar - it definitely puts Search... into the folder context menu - I undid the patch and there was no Search..., redid the patch and there was Search... back again - didn't work though :lol:

Restore the "Search…" Item to the Folder Context Menu in Windows Vista SP1 - How-To Geek

Maybe an MS update rendered it useless

ContMenu was pointing at something related to ACDSee which went ages ago - so its gone too.

I am pretty sure it was that patch - bummer - why wouldn't MS want Search on folder right click to work - looks like they deliberately crippled it. Surely not to force Library's down our throats - had Library's existed 15 years ago I might have used them - meantime...

thanks guys

 

[indianacarnie]

Could be, thats one of the results I found. You're on your own now though.... . Unless something else goes wrong.Then we're always here to help. Good luck and Happy Holidays!

 

[Brink]

pjd,

The tutorial below works just fine in Windows 7. You might give it a try to see if it may work for you as well.

Search - Add to Context Menu in Windows 7 and Windows 8

 

[pjd]

thanks brink - its more or less the same as the other one - so it's not surprising that it doesn't work either

But now I know I wasn't dreaming that it used to work. There must be something 'blocking' it

I might put it in the - make sure you 'fix' this when you do that long promised fresh install of w7 - list

pjd

 

[Brink]

pjd,

I've updated the tutorial in the post above. If you like, please try it instead to see how it works for you. I didn't need to log off/log on afterwards for it to be applied, but you may if it doesn't work right off.

 

[indianacarnie]

I just installed it on mine. Works perfectly and didn't have to re-boot. Thank you , ever since he started this thread I've been thinking it was a good idea. I do seem to remember doing this before too..... could be mistaken. I have used many different context menu tools.

 

[pjd]

Thanks brink, still doesn't want to work - I have a feeling I know what 'broke' it - no names no pack drill. I can live without it, search of the drive is good enough

I just installed it on mine. Works perfectly and didn't have to re-boot. Thank you , ever since he started this thread I've been thinking it was a good idea. I do seem to remember doing this before too..... could be mistaken. I have used many different context menu tools.

- great first you question whether I'm talking out of my hat - then you say what a good idea. No hard feelings, just amusing... Enjoy all your right click folder searching and thanks for your help

pjd

 

[DavidE]

You could also give File Locator Lite (aka Agent Ransack) a try.
FileLocator Lite - Free File Searching Utility

It's free, easy to use, works well, and has a right click context menu.
I've been using it for years and it has never caused me any problems.

 

[Brink]

Thanks brink, still doesn't want to work - I have a feeling I know what 'broke' it - no names no pack drill. I can live without it, search of the drive is good enough

pjd

Since you know what may have broke it, please post back letting us know, and I'll see if I may be able to work a way to get it fixed if you like.