The problem returned again - Search is not working

mibaup · 09 Feb 2016

Hi,

I had this issue in the past and posted a thread about it here, but the problem was mysteriously solved.
Now it has returned: Search is not working properly:
It only finds certain files and randomly, so it can find some of the items on desktop, and not all of them, or it can find some files located in other locations like AppData, and not all of them.
The search does work for finding settings, for example when I type "partition" in search in gives me "Create and format hard drive partitions", so for that it's ok. But for files and folders? nope

Has anyone else encountered this problem or can help me solve it?

Thanks!

b1rd · 09 Feb 2016

Hey mibaup,

I wanted to wait a bit before I posted this, as I suspected somebody would have an answer, but it's been a while. I really do not, other then to perhaps check your folder option settings, and that type of thing. IE: Look over your search parameters, such as the specified locations, file types, modification options, etc..

The real reason for this post is to offer a work-around using Everything. Again, not a fix, but perhaps it might help until you get this resolved. (Plus it's good to have anyhow)

b1rd

Orerockon · 14 Jan 2017

I'm wondering if someone has found a fix for this issue that doesn't involve 3rd party software? I'm not allowed to install anything "unofficial" and I've had this problem for ages. Testing it out every once in a while I get partial results for files in the same folder. E.g. I search for "abc" and it returns some of the matching files but it looks like it never returns all matching files. I rebuilt indexes, changed permissions, am the real admin, etc. but I never could fix it. I can do all the system tweaks I want to as long as I don't get caught

D4ni3l · 14 Jan 2017

check there is no override in "Use Language list"
I have noticed that that search is not working if I force a language

good luck

dalchina · 14 Jan 2017

mibaup said:

Hi,

I had this issue in the past and posted a thread about it here, but the problem was mysteriously solved.
Now it has returned: Search is not working properly:
It only finds certain files and randomly, so it can find some of the items on desktop, and not all of them, or it can find some files located in other locations like AppData, and not all of them.
The search does work for finding settings, for example when I type "partition" in search in gives me "Create and format hard drive partitions", so for that it's ok. But for files and folders? nope

Hi, I'm assuming you are referring to search using the Cortana search box.
Searches there for files and folders are, as I think you know, dependent on Windows search indexing just as using the search box in file explorer is.

To simplify things slightly, please try viewing the folder you're interested in - one that is indexed- and attempt a few searches in it, and advise the results.

Note: searches will return files which match by path, name, and content if they are text files and specified to be indexed by
both properties and content.

You will get only files if you use the string (e.g.)
file:
before your search string.
E.g. in my test folder
file:*36
returns all files whose names end in 36 whereas
*36
returns a number of files, including files whose names do not contain 36.

You can find out more about search syntax here:
Advanced Query Syntax (Windows)

I also prefer using a 3rd party tool when scanning all my disks for files - instant find-as-you-type results, and a whole lot easier to use, with GUI options to limit and specify the search.
I use locate32 (free).

FrillyBits · 14 Jan 2017

Orerockon said:

I'm wondering if someone has found a fix for this issue that doesn't involve 3rd party software? I'm not allowed to install anything "unofficial" and I've had this problem for ages....
.....I rebuilt indexes, changed permissions, am the real admin, etc. but I never could fix it. I can do all the system tweaks I want to as long as I don't get caught

Everything Search has a Portable version that can be run off a USB Flashdrive and should leave no trace

I haven't used Windows search since discovering Everything back in my XP days

Good luck :)