File Explorer Search for File Content


  1. RHWilliam23
    Posts : 2
    Windows 10
       New #1

    File Explorer Search for File Content


    I wanted to share this information with others because I have not seen it provided.

    I recently upgraded from Windows 7 to 10 and I found that when I did a file search in file explorer, I could not find files based on a search of a word in the text of the file's content. I observed that many people have been having the same problem. I did all the recommended indexing options and rebooting to make it possible to do the search. They did not make a difference.

    It was not until I downloaded and installed two packets that allow files to be searched. One was Microsoft Office 2010 filter packs. The other was PDF iFilter 64. Since their installation, I have been able to search for file content in PDF files and in Microsoft Office files.
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  3. dalchina
    Posts : 43,004
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #2

    That is correct. You cannot index content of a given file type unless you have the appropriate ifilter.

    Here you can see some Office file types- associated with Libre Office:
    File Explorer Search for File Content-3.png

    Here you can see examples of ifilters added for some Open Office file types: (Libre Office is installed)
    File Explorer Search for File Content-1.png

    whilst rtf and txt are supplied by Windows as default
    File Explorer Search for File Content-4.png

    And here you can see my pdf reader, Sumatra, has added a pdf ifilter (you can get one separately from Adobe- not all pdf readers add this).
    File Explorer Search for File Content-2.png

    You also need to have the appropriate options selected to enable content indexing, which are usually set by default.
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  4. Berton
    Posts : 14,022
    Win10 Pro and Home, Win11 Pro and Home, Win7, Linux Mint
       New #3

    Recommendations are always much nicer when links to the products are provided.

    Does Office 2010 have to be installed before that filter will install?
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  6. dalchina
    Posts : 43,004
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       New #4

    No, you can just install the ifilters:

    Google (e.g.) Office ifilter ->

    https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/down....aspx?id=17062
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  7. RHWilliam23
    Posts : 2
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       New #5

    I have Microsoft Office 2007 installed.
    Here are the links to the filters I used.
    Microsoft Office filter: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/down....aspx?id=17062
    PDF filter: Adobe PDF iFilter - Download
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