Can't search within files

[shrimply]

Hi guys really need some help, my search isn't working properly, despite haveing "always search file names and contents" ticked its only searching for the files names. I have no idea why and its causing me a lot of problems.

 

I have an exam tomorrow and it means that instead of simple searching my lecture notes for the term I'm looking for I have to trail through a whole semesters worth of notes.

 

Any help is really appreciated.

[KenB]

Hi,

 

Does this help at all?

How do I search for files in Windows Vista? :: Free Tech Support :: Ask Dave Taylor!®

 

Also:

I recently altered the registry on my own machine so that I could just type in part of a phrase or file extension into the search box.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Directory \ shell \ find

click on the find folder itself ( not the arrow )

 

In the right pane there were 3 entries on mine. ( I apologise for the next bit ...)

 

I deleted the one with "legacy" in the title. ( I realise that this is not very specific :) )

I do, however, get a list of files/folders/etc when I search for a specific word / phrase.

 

I will do some digging and try to locate the exact "legacy" phrase as mine has now gone.

[KenB]

Can't edit my post .....

 

Take a look here:

How to Add Missing Search in Folders Context Menu in Windows Vista with SP1? - Tweaking with Vishal

[shrimply]

Thanks, I'll give that a go. I think the problem is more specific than I first thought. I've discovered it will search within files for a search term but appears only to do so if the file is created by me. So it won't look within the documents, for instance powerpoints, that I download from the uni. They aren't locked or anything only difference is that they're obviously not authored my me. Is this a known problem or is something wrong?

[RandyL]

Hi shrimply.

 

Try right clicking one of those power point files and select properties.

Click Advanced.

 

Under file attributes tic both boxes.

"File is ready for archiving"

"Allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file"

 

I'm wondering if indexing on some level may provide what you want. Indexing is new starting with Vista I believe. Maybe it only speeds searches or maybe it can provide more indepth searches.

 

It seems to me I remember on my Vista that PDF files contents were always showing up in my searches which actually annoyed me. Too many results. I disabled indexing altogether.

 

Anyway it might be something worth considering although I'm not sure it will help.

 

Another thing to consider in Vista is to use advanced search options to search in non-indexed locations. (search may be slow)

 

I know these aren't absolute answers for you but it might help you or others looking at this come up with an idea or two for you.