Searching for a file in windows 7... not working, i need extra filter

[kharl]

Sometimes the companies trying to make the thing SO "intuitive" and "smart" that destroy the power of customization...

in windows XP i remember i could specify whatever i remember of a file and i could get straight to the file i was looking for, i could only remember a range of dates, an approx size, tow or three file extension... and thats it.. the search in windows 7 is good, but only for looking files that you know are there and you just want to save time scrolling down until get it.

i have been in this situation various times, but i cant stand it anymore

i am looking for an audio file (a recording of a conversation)
i dont remember the name (probably the default name the recorder put on it [there fore must be hundreds of files with the same names but in different folders).

the specs i remember from the file, or what i am sure it is are:
size between 1mb and 20mb
create and or modification date: between 2008 and 2010
file type: wav, mp3, qcp or amr (i don't remember if i convert it, if i edited it... )

in widows xp i would have found the file, but in this windows 7 something CANT be so simple and when it is forced to be, it doesnt work properly
When i try to use the "SO sUPER DUPER" simple all mighty space for searches in the upper right corner... it only give me options for (despite the name itselft ...) "modified date" and "size"

HOW do i chose a range of date, a range of size various fiile type?
why its so complicated in windows7? it was designed to be so simple that end it screwing it up

what can i do, please

 

[logicearth]

Advanced Query Syntax (Windows)
Down in Boolean Operators.

Maybe this will work:
kind:video date:1/1/2008..12/30/2010 size:1mb..20mb

May also want: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Advanced-tips-for-searching-in-Windows

 

[DavidE]

Try File Locator Lite - free and easy to use.

FileLocator Lite - Free File Searching Utility

 

[kharl]

why i dont have these options?
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/o3nxd


Those are the only options/filters i have.. WHY?
http://www.freeimagehosting.net/urubn

why is this, why so unpractical?

this really frustrate me, desperate looking for a file the only solution i see is to plug the hdd into a XP computer.

is there anyway i could install or go back to the windows xp searcher..?
the one that shows me menus at the left asking lot of details of the file i am looking for, not just the name and the date such as the one in windows 7 (this is ridiculous... )

these are the little things that really makes me forget about windows its a so tinny detail that because that it should not be taht way

(sorry, i am desperate and angry)

 

[logicearth]

Just type it in? What shows in the search box drop down is dependent on location. Or on what you type.

 

[kharl]

Advanced Query Syntax (Windows)
Down in Boolean Operators.

Maybe this will work:
kind:video date:1/1/2008..12/30/2010 size:1mb..20mb

May also want: Advanced tips for searching in Windows

thank you for the answer...

what a downgrade, i have to use codes "kind:video date:1/1/2008..12/30/2010 size:1mb..20mb"

but WHY? i mean... was not the windows xp searcher easier and more powerful?
this is windows 7 and i have to introduce "codes"

could you please help me to modify this code "kind:video date:1/1/2008..12/30/2010 size:1mb..20mb"

that dates are ok, but in kind or type.. (who knows) i need to find withing wav and mp3 files

 

[kharl]

Just type it in? What shows in the search box drop down is dependent on location. Or on what you type.

and what do i have to do to make at least the four "common filters" appear in my external hdd location?

i see thatt in the "music" folder the filters available are music related; artist, year album....

the system "tries" to be so "smart" that diverts from what i need.

if i am in an unknown (for the system) folder or with mixed content, at least it should let me to choose the filters..

 

[logicearth]

...at least it should let me to choose the filters..

You can choose the filters you want...type them in.

 

[4wd]

My preferred solution: Agent Ransack - Free File Searching Utility , digs up anything, everywhere, always.

 

[kharl]

Thank you a lot guys for your help, i found the file (but under windows XP, then with agent ransak in windows 7).

Thanks to you i know a little more about the windows 7 search feature (which i dont like it, but at least i know a little bit more of it), and thanks for the agent ransack suggestion, it works!

This is my opinion and what happened...

Today we use gestures with our fingers to use a our phones..... but do i have to enter "codes" in my windows to search for a file?

after some hours...
i remembered that it is an external hdd... i attached it to an old 1.2ghz 512mb ram windows xp computer...

right click on "my documents"... in the search windows file name, part of it or content BLANK.. but i chose the options:
when was modified?: [date] or [between.. and...]
when was created: [date] or [between.. and...]
when was last accessed: [date] or [between.. and...]
what size is [size] or [min size .... max size]
what kind of file is: [the whole knonw file extentions to choose..]

after filling these areas (in wiindows XP) it showed me about 40 files.... the one i was looking for was between those 40...

----

In a more simply way.. in windows 7 I MUST KNOW how to input the parameters... in windows XP you DONT, it just ask what you need..

and the thing goes even worst in windows 7 with its "smart" feature that depend on the folder, if is a music folder the only filters available are; artist, genre, album etc... but the only filters available for the external folder was; size and modified date, and it was awful to use...



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[kharl]

...at least it should let me to choose the filters..

You can choose the filters you want...type them in.

yo mean.. that if i know size and date i can type it in the empty field, all together?