Search for text in files...

[Lars-Erik Østerud]

After installing XP I notice that the "Search for Files..." dialog
only search for text inside certain file type (like ".txt" files), but
not in others (like ".cfg" files). Is there a way to set the filetypes
(I'd like to search other types like ".cfg", ".dat" etc as well)?

 

[Linda B]

An oft-discussed topic lately, it seems. Check these out:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309173/EN-US/

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;309447

I have personally had luck with the registry hack described in the first
article, and it worked for someone else here yesterday. Hope this helps.

LB

 

[Torgeir Bakken \(MVP\)]

After installing XP I notice that the "Search for Files..." dialog
only search for text inside certain file type (like ".txt" files), but
not in others (like ".cfg" files). Is there a way to set the filetypes
(I'd like to search other types like ".cfg", ".dat" etc as well)?

Hi

WinXP's search function filters out files to search in based on file
extensions (list can be manipulated, see further below).

My suggestion:

Install the free Agent Ransack, it searches for text strings in *all*
types of files, and not just in a selection of "approved" file extensions
as the built-in search does. It's a *much* better search tool as well...

Download it from here:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/default.aspx

Agent Ransack can save the search result to a file (or clipboard), as text,
comma separated text or tab separated text. E.g. Excel reads comma separated
text (csv) very well.

When searching for text inside files, Agent Ransack is also able to do a
preview of the lines the text was found in (just do a single click on the
found file).
Also, you can use regular expression on both the file name part and the find
text in files part.


If you still want to use the not so good search tool that comes
with WinXP to search for text in files, take a look at this:

Using the "A Word or Phrase in the File" Search Criterion May Not Work
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;309173

Or this:

Add Files to Containing text Searches
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_fix_search.htm

 

[Alex Nichol]

After installing XP I notice that the "Search for Files..." dialog
only search for text inside certain file type (like ".txt" files), but
not in others (like ".cfg" files). Is there a way to set the filetypes
(I'd like to search other types like ".cfg", ".dat" etc as well)?

It only searches for text in a very limited number of types - they must
either have registry entries saying they are pure Text (.TXT and not
much else) or have known ;filters' to handle embedded format controls,
so that Search can avoid being confused by thinking those are characters
in 16 bit Unicode (eg .doc, .htm). You can add an additional type as
pure text provided you know that it *is* that, and that it does not
already have a 'PersistentHandler' in the registry. Make the following,
after - - start and before - - end into a file by cut/paste to NotePad.
Make sure there is a blank line at the end. Save as "Patch.reg" then
d-click on this file to enter it into the registry.
This is for .log - modify that for other extensions, with care. Do
*not* try using it with .dat which is a generic binary file extension


Or get Agent Ransack from www.agentransack.com

- - start
REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.log\PersistentHandler]
@="{5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}"


- - end