Search in XP

[Frank]

I have a new laptop and using XP for the first time. As a
minister I have many old text files from different
programs to seach from time to time. In 98 I could go to
Explorer/tools/find and type the text and will would give
me all the files I was looking for regardless of the
program. In XP it seems to search only word files. It is
not finding text for me in Powerpoint/Lotus or other
programs.
Any answers?

 

[Torgeir Bakken (MVP)]

I have a new laptop and using XP for the first time. As a
minister I have many old text files from different
programs to seach from time to time. In 98 I could go to
Explorer/tools/find and type the text and will would give
me all the files I was looking for regardless of the
program. In XP it seems to search only word files. It is
not finding text for me in Powerpoint/Lotus or other
programs.

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.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

 

[Big Mac]

Can't he just choose the option "search all files" (not text files,
but all files) for anything he enters in the field that would be in
the filename? (all or part of a filename).

So you are saying that XP will not really search "all" files, but only
those with extensions on a list.... hmmmm.. I didn't know that.
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[S Newman]

I use "Salamander File Manager" and it's free.

This is a dual-pane file manager that has an excellent "Find" (search
engine) . In addition, it has all the normal file manager features such as
copy, paste (drag n drop), delete, as well as recognize zip files and more.

More importantly, I like it because it's stand-along app, no installation
needed. Download the free version 1.52 at:

http://www.altap.cz/download.html#salrel

It's a nice free tool. It's for win 9x, Me, NT, 2k, Xp.

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