Win7 file search returns no files (but they exist)

[expatCanuck]

Greetings -

Running Win7 (6.1, SP1, 64-bit).

Previously, I was using WinXP file search in classic mode.
Predictable, reliable results.
I'm finding Win7 file searching to be unpredictable at best.

I have dozens files of the form xName-<date>, where x is my first initial,
Name is my last name, and <date> is the file date (e.g. - "mSmithCV-7jan09.doc").

When I use the Win7 search to find "name:smith", no files are returned.
Nor will "name:*smith*" return any files.

The search does return the files if I specify "name:mSmith" (i.e. - the beginning of the filename),
but I have no confidence that the search is returning ALL of the files.

I've run the Windows Search troubleshooter, which found no problems.

Is there a classic search mode? Or a simple, cost-effective third-party file search utility?
Or even a way to get Win7 to find all files whose filename contains (but does not begin with)
a specified string?

[I find Win7 to be better than XP in most respects, but I really can't believe
that this search functionality made it out the door. It's beyond awful.]

Any & all assistance welcome.

Thanks kindly,

- Richard

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Or a simple, cost-effective third-party file search utility?

Take a look at Everything, from voidtools.com.

Free, quick, searches file names ONLY, not contents.

 

[Ztruker]

I also use Everything and agree it's a great tool for finding files.

If the files you are searching for are not in a location being indexed by Windows 7 then search will not find them. See here: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/17854-index-locations-add-remove.html