How to search for *.abc; *.pqr

[Bob Altman]

How can I convince the Vista search function to simply look for all files
whose names match a wildcard?

Search Companion (Windows XP and earlier) allows me to search for files
whose names tightly match a set of wildcard criteria. For example, if I
enter

*.exe; *.obj; *.msi

into the "All or part of the file name" box then Search Companion finds
those files and none others. However, if I do the equivalent under Vista
(or Windows Search 4 on XP) and enter

*.exe OR *.obj OR *.msi

then it finds many files whose names contain "exe" (for example
"MyFile.exe.config") and files whose contents contain "exe", "obj", or
"msi".

TIA - Bob

 

[Mr. Arnold]

How can I convince the Vista search function to simply look for all files
whose names match a wildcard?

Search Companion (Windows XP and earlier) allows me to search for files
whose names tightly match a set of wildcard criteria. For example, if I
enter

*.exe; *.obj; *.msi

into the "All or part of the file name" box then Search Companion finds
those files and none others. However, if I do the equivalent under Vista
(or Windows Search 4 on XP) and enter

*.exe OR *.obj OR *.msi

then it finds many files whose names contain "exe" (for example
"MyFile.exe.config") and files whose contents contain "exe", "obj", or
"msi".

I just did it. You'll have to go to Control Panel/Folder Options/Search tab
and select "Always search by file name", then that's what the search is
going to do.

At the Folders Options, you can go to View tab and select "Always show
menus", which will show the the Tools menu with Folder Options that will be
present on the Explore and Advanced Search windows. You can get to ADV
Search by using the Windows-key/F-key combination or you will see Adv Search
as an icon when you use the Search box in Explore.

 

[Retroman]

How can I convince the Vista search function to simply look for all files
whose names match a wildcard?

Search Companion (Windows XP and earlier) allows me to search for files
whose names tightly match a set of wildcard criteria. For example, if I
enter

*.exe; *.obj; *.msi

into the "All or part of the file name" box then Search Companion finds
those files and none others. However, if I do the equivalent under Vista
(or Windows Search 4 on XP) and enter

*.exe OR *.obj OR *.msi

then it finds many files whose names contain "exe" (for example
"MyFile.exe.config") and files whose contents contain "exe", "obj", or
"msi".

Bob,

The search syntax is different in WDS 4. To return only files with those extensions,
try this:

ext:exe OR extbj OR ext:msi

The syntax is shown in the Vista help screen "Tips for finding
files". Additional details are found in the WDS 4 query guide:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/technicalresources/advquery.mspx

Doug M. in NJ

 

[Bob Altman]

Bob,

The search syntax is different in WDS 4. To return only files with those
extensions,
try this:

ext:exe OR extbj OR ext:msi

The syntax is shown in the Vista help screen "Tips for finding
files". Additional details are found in the WDS 4 query guide:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/technicalresources/advquery.mspx

Doug M. in NJ

Thanks Doug, that's exactly what I was looking for!