search engine worthless or how do i use it


  1. Posts : 5
    windows 10
       #1

    search engine worthless or how do i use it


    i keep loosing files while moving them and i cant find them with the search engine ive just lost several thousand photos and dont know what to do
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 1,099
    Win 10 pro Upgraded from 8.1
       #2

    *.jpg should show you where all the "Picures.jpg" are located!! if they are another extension just use that extension like *.gif, *.png etc. etc.
    Now then I have found it lots safer to copy files to the new location the delete the ones from the old location just incase something goes wrong.
    You should have all your data backed up so just restore to the new location
    If you don't have them backed up, you now know why you should have.

    if you need more help you'll have to give us more information how you were trying to move them from where to where, copy paste or just highlighted and dragged and dropped if drag and drop look in folder close to the folder you intended to drop them in? if you deleted them by mistake look for them in your Recycle Bin.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 68,967
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #3

    Hello James, and welcome to Ten Forums. :)

    In addition, double check to make sure that you have the location you moved them to included in the index.

    Add or Remove Search Index Locations in Windows 10 Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials

    It may take a while before the index automatically updates itself to include the changes you made to your files. However, you can manually rebuild the index as needed to force it to update.

    Rebuild Search Index in Windows 10 Windows 10 Performance Maintenance Tutorials
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 5
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #4

    not sure


    i was attempting to drag them from one place to the other and since i had just uploaded them to the computer i was trying to put them on my other .hard drive i dont know what you mean by back them up but i sure wish i had too. one thing for sure is the windows 10 search bar is worthless to find anything or i dont know how to make it work right my last operating system could find stuff this one cant even find stuff right on my desk top
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 5
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    i tried to change search but cant


    the directions to change the search wont work because im not getting a icon to change them in control panel
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 5
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    i dont know how to open the control panel in icons view where is that option
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 68,967
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
       #7

    The tutorial below linked in step 1 of the tutorial I posted above can help show you how to open the Control Panel in icons view. :)

    Open Control Panel in Windows 10 Windows 10 General Tips Tutorials
      My Computers


  8. Posts : 42,991
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #8

    If you find configuring Windows search complicated then try one of the popular free 3rd party tools that finds things on all your internal disks and partitions instantly (find as you type). (See below). These are much easier to use.

    First considering Windows search, and why you may not be finding things:
    Note:
    1. Cortana search of files and folders is basically limited to what is indexed by Windows search - and by design will not find any executable file or dll.
    2. If you open file explorer, there is a search field there.
    This is more flexible, and will find indexed and non-indexed items below the point in the file hierarchy at which you have the window open. However, if some folders are not indexed nd some are, search can still be painfully slow.
    3. If you move files or create files, the index is not updated until your PC is more or less idle.

    A search syntax can be used:
    Advanced Query Syntax
    - but is hard to remember if only used occasionally.

    Second: Some 3rd party tools: (free)
    Ultrasearch, Everything by void tools, Locate32 (which I have used for some years).

    These index all file and folder names quickly, and update that index periodically.
    The search parameters are all GUI based, so you can readily select what you are looking for (unlike Cortana or file explorer search).

    search engine worthless or how do i use it-1.jpg

    search engine worthless or how do i use it-2.jpg
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 42,991
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #9

    james dupre said:
    i dont know how to open the control panel in icons view where is that option
    1 way - Cortana search:
    search engine worthless or how do i use it-1.png

    Actually you need Indexing Options to configure Windows search:
    search engine worthless or how do i use it-2.png

    Click that to see:
    search engine worthless or how do i use it-3.jpg
      My Computers


 

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