Windows XP - search fails on Pascal files

[Dave Parker]

Start | Search | For Files or Folders...

When I type in a wildcard spec such as *.pas for all pascal files, and
enter the text "idle", search cannot find it. The phrase is in
many .pas files. I've tested with .cpp, .h, and .txt files, and search
works on them. But not on .pas files! Why?!?!
I've checked [x] search in system and hidden files.

If the filespec is *.*, search will find "idle" in other files, but not
in Delphi/Pascal (*.pas) files. I've verified this on two XP pro systems.

 

[Torgeir Bakken (MVP)]

Start | Search | For Files or Folders...

When I type in a wildcard spec such as *.pas for all pascal files, and
enter the text "idle", search cannot find it. The phrase is in
many .pas files. I've tested with .cpp, .h, and .txt files, and search
works on them. But not on .pas files! Why?!?!

Hi

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

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.agentransack.com/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