Searching file contents?

[higgins]

Hi all!

I reformatted my PC and now I'm unable to get windows built-in search to "work" again. I want to be able to search inside the (hundreds of) files using specific keywords (and to actually search the files, with no indexing bullshit). I know this is possible because I managed to make it work before, but I just can't remember how I did that.

Turning on "Always search file names and contents (this might take several minutes)" under folder options seems no to do anything at all (but I've kept it selected anyway).

Then I tried disabling indexing via computer management -> services and apps -> services -> windows search -> disable (and rebuilding the index), but that doesn't seem to accomplish what I'm after either.

Any suggestions?

 

[mitchell65]

Try this in the search box, either at Start or in "Computer" type *234033 -> where 234033 is the word you are looking for.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/36599-search-windows-7-a.html

Hope this helps.

 

[higgins]

Throwing a wild card in doesn't help to search from inside the files. I believe this must be handled through the settings or even hacks somehow, but I can't remember how I did it the last time.

 

[geeve420]

Is this what you are trying to do?

Windows 7 File Search Indexing Options

Geeve

 

[mitchell65]

Throwing a wild card in doesn't help to search from inside the files. I believe this must be handled through the settings or even hacks somehow, but I can't remember how I did it the last time.

But it does come up with the same result as XP did when you chose "A word or phrase in the file".
So it just lists all the actual files that contain the word but did you want it to open the file, display the text and highlight the word? Did XP do this? Or have I got the wrong idea here?

 

[higgins]

But it does come up with the same result as XP did when you chose "A word or phrase in the file".
So it just lists all the actual files that contain the word but did you want it to open the file, display the text and highlight the word? Did XP do this? Or have I got the wrong idea here?

Not for me it doesn't. It just doesn't find content. :shock: It seems just to search the file names, but with a wild card.

Do the files need to be indexed for a content search?

Is this what you are trying to do?

Windows 7 File Search Indexing Options

I don't recall ever following similar steps, but thanks, I'll look into it!

 

[mitchell65]

Do the files need to be indexed for a content search?

No I don't think so, it will just take longer if they are not indexed. If when you do the search it doesn't return the file names and paths then I think you need to try a sfc /scannow to see if any of your system files are missing or corrupt.
Perhaps it might be as well to wait to see if any other members agree with this, it's what I would do but I am not sure if there is a quicker solution. Can't do any harm though!

 

[higgins]

I've re-enabled indexing and indexed all the files I need to search. File type (.rtf) is supported by content search. Rebooted too. Still can't find contents, be it with * or without.

I apologise for the outburst, but it used to work with my old setup, dammit!

 

[FliGi7]

Where are the files located? On the system drive?

 

[higgins]

Hot damn, that's it! I can search fine on partition C (system), but partition D proves to make the content search defunct! It's indexed and everything! :shock:

Any solutions?

 

[mitchell65]

Hot damn, that's it! I can search fine on partition C (system), but partition D proves to make the content search defunct! It's indexed and everything! :shock:

Any solutions?

Could it be a permissions problem? Have you tried right clicking the D partion and choosing "Take ownership"

 

[higgins]

I see no such option. Does that mean I already own it?

 

[mitchell65]

No you might not have the little applet. Go to this and i'm sure you will dowload and install it OK
Add Take Ownership Option Shortcut in Right Click Menu of Windows 7

 

[mitchell65]

I'm closing down now for the day. Back again tomorrow AM (GMT)

 

[FliGi7]

Hot damn, that's it! I can search fine on partition C (system), but partition D proves to make the content search defunct! It's indexed and everything! :shock:

Any solutions?

Hm, I figured that might be the case. Perhaps the folder option to search contents of all files wasn't selected prior to the files on the drive being indexed. Make sure all of the folder search options are properly set in the indexing and folder options locations, then rebuild the index to see if that works.

These links should help you do all of that:

How To Add, Remove Index Locations In Windows 7
Windows 7 File Search Indexing Options
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/17880-index-rebuild.html

 

[higgins]

Hot damn, that's it! I can search fine on partition C (system), but partition D proves to make the content search defunct! It's indexed and everything! :shock:

Any solutions?

Could it be a permissions problem? Have you tried right clicking the D partion and choosing "Take ownership"

I installed the take ownership applet, but it doesn't give me the "take ownership" option when I click on the drive, only with individual folders. I didn't try out taking the ownership yet, as I'd like this to apply to all the future folders I create on the drive. Can I trace this step back if needed? I saw no option for that in the context menu. Also, it gives the "take ownership" option to the folders I assumed I already owned, such as Documents folder. Is this normal?

Hm, I figured that might be the case. Perhaps the folder option to search contents of all files wasn't selected prior to the files on the drive being indexed. Make sure all of the folder search options are properly set in the indexing and folder options locations, then rebuild the index to see if that works.

I added drive D to indexing list and rebuilt the index even before you suggested the different drive issue. So, both C and D were indexed simultaneously from scratch while content search works in C and is defunct in D.

 

[mitchell65]

Well everything I have suggested has worked for me but I have to say I do not have a separate partition, just three external HD's.
I'm bit lost now but I would guess that the reason the Take Possession doesn't show up on right clicking the drive means you already have ownership but that does not necessarily mean that you have ownership of the folders within the drive. Just to test this, try taking ownersship of one of your folders and then doing a search of that folder for a specific word that you know is in at least one of the files in that folder. It does all seem to be down to this partition. Perhaps someone who has a similar setup or more knowledge than me will pick this up!

 

[higgins]

Nope, even if I take possession directly of the individual folder I want to search in, doing so has no effect.

It does all seem to be down to this partition. Perhaps someone who has a similar setup or more knowledge than me will pick this up!

All indeed seems to boil down to the partition. Thanks for all the input so far!

 

[higgins]

I made two idendical folders on both drive C & D and set them to be the only folders indexed.
Search options is set to: "Always search file names and contents (this might take several minutes)"
No content items match search that SHOULD bring many results.
Created new files with keyword inside them.
Still no match.
I rebuilt the index.
Still no match.
I set the index to include the file contents as well.
I rebuilt the index.
Still no match.
Reboot to give another shot.
Still no match.
I have no idea why the search might have worked on a system drive when I tried it a few days back.
I go to see whether I went too click-happy turning off windows features, but I discover that I haven't even disabled the IE yet.
Now that's even more confusing.

 

[mitchell65]

Please don't waste time doing this unless another member with more noddle suggests it but I might try a file scan to see if there are any errors in my system files. Like so "sfc /scannow". If someone else gives it the nod just type this in the Start search box and have your Win 7 Disc ready.