Couldn't follow the instructions on Google. I'm looking for a file with the words "Richard" and "quality" in it. Should be simple - but not for me. Could someone please guide me (exactly) on how to perform this search with screenshots? By the way, this file could also be the results of a scan in which the words wouldn't show up - but I'm hopeful I can find it. Thank you.
I'll look for the tutorial but my problem with indexing is I've seen it take over a machine.
Nisko,
Please explain exactly what this file is and where it is. Both are essential for giving you suitable guidance.
Denis
Example of success:
What has to be true for such a search to succeed (using Windows search):
a. Windows search has to be functioning
b. The folder in which the document exists must be in selected as to be indexed by Windows search - that's specified in Indexing Options in the Control Panel.
c. Content indexing must be enabled both on the document and in Indexing Options
d. There must be an appropriate ifilter (indexing filter) available for the document types you want to index and search.
What are the document types of interest?
txt? pdf? doc? rtf? docx? etc
@Soapm - disabling Windows search has become Windows mythology going back to XP. Only if there is disk corruption and e.g. chkdsk fails is it likely that Windows search will use noticeable resources.
Normally indexing, when it does happen, backs off (pauses) at the least user activity. Once the selected folders are indexed, only changes there cause indexing activity.
Here's a Cortana result, but note I had to select Documents to get a result from files.
However I can't use the syntax 'quality AND mercy' here.
Tutorials:
Search in File Explorer in Windows 10 | Tutorials
- includes this list:
- How to Change Search Options in Windows 10
- How to Save a Search in Windows 10
- How to Change 'When typing into list view' Action in Windows 10 File Explorer
- How to Clear File Explorer Search History in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Search History in Windows 10 File Explorer
- How to Create a Search Shortcut in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Search Indexing in Windows
- How to Create an Indexing Options Shortcut in Windows 10
- How to Reset and Rebuild Search Index in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Indexer Backoff in Windows
- How to Add or Remove File Types for Search Index in Windows 10
- How to Add or Remove Locations for Search Index in Windows 10
- How to Enable or Disable Modifying Indexed Locations in Windows
- How to Enable or Disable Advanced Indexing Options in Windows
- How to Turn On or Off Indexing Contents and Properties of Files on a Drive in Windows
Indexing Options:
Indexed locations- your target document must be in these.
Be careful not to change the defaults- or you could end up with a slow search of Settings e.g.
Here you can see an example of an ifilter- I have Sumatra installed as my pdf default reader, so text-based pdfs (not image-based) can be indexed.
For example if you want to index .doc files, there must be a suitable ifilter installed. Office suites typically install these.
In File Explorer search field, type the following to find all documents containing words Richard and quality in current folder and all its subfolders:
content:Richard AND content:quality
Type the following to find all documents containing word Richard or word quality:
content:Richard OR content:quality
Type the following to find all documents containing word Richard, excluding files which also contain word quality:
content:Richard NOT content:quality
Notice that logical operators (AND, OR, NOT) must be written in uppercase.
Kari
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