Searching Outlook 2003 in Vista

[5Circles]

I had the impression that Vista's search capabilities were much better than
XP, including being able to search inside Outlook messages.

So I was hoping to be able to search from the directory where I keep several
PST files to find which one has the messages I'm looking for. But Vista
search doesn't seem to work as I'd hoped.

Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better way to locate messages if the
PST files aren't open in Outlook?

Thanks
Mike

 

[DL]

Personally, I use Coppernic DTS, it searches all pst's whether OL is open or
not.

 

[Gordon]

I had the impression that Vista's search capabilities were much better than
XP, including being able to search inside Outlook messages.

So I was hoping to be able to search from the directory where I keep
several
PST files to find which one has the messages I'm looking for. But Vista
search doesn't seem to work as I'd hoped.

Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better way to locate messages if
the
PST files aren't open in Outlook?

Thanks
Mike

Vista search here will search inside pst files for message content even when
Outlook is closed. Has the indexing finished?

 

[5Circles]

Thanks for the tip - I'll see what Copernic DTS can do. From what I can see
so far - as it starts indexing - it seems to search for the PST files that
Outlook has opened. From your comment about searching regardless of whether
Outlook is running or not, I presume DTS checks information about Outlook's
current active PSTs.

Mike

 

[5Circles]

:

Vista search here will search inside pst files for message content even when
Outlook is closed. Has the indexing finished?

As far as I know it Vista has finished indexing. Now I see a possible
source of confusion - if I use Start | Search it searches emails. But
searching from the directory where the PST files are located doesn't turn up
any results - presumably because the PST files aren't plain text.

Thanks
Mike

 

[DL]

No, it searches all pst's

Thanks for the tip - I'll see what Copernic DTS can do. From what I can
see
so far - as it starts indexing - it seems to search for the PST files that
Outlook has opened. From your comment about searching regardless of
whether
Outlook is running or not, I presume DTS checks information about
Outlook's
current active PSTs.

Mike

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Search in an Explorer folder is a file based search. A pst-file is a
database file and either needs to be searched from the main search interface
or from within Outlook.

 

[Roady [MVP]]

The same is true for Search in Windows Vista and the separate Windows
Desktop Search.

 

[5Circles]

I think I have it now - Vista appears to be searching the indexed PST files.

What's the difference between Vista Search and Windows Desktop Search and
how do I access them? Is Vista Search what I see when I click the windows
button and then enter a search term?

Thanks
Mike

 

[Roady [MVP]]

Yes. Windows Desktop Search is the standalone product which can be used on
Windows XP.

 

[5Circles]

Sorry if I'm asking in the wrong forum - if so please tell me where I should
ask.

I downloaded Windows Search 4.0 and installed on my XP box. It makes sense.
I have some new capabilities to search inside files such as PSTs, and there
is now a new application although I'm still able to right click on a folder
to start a search dialog.

But I'm not having much luck with Vista. I downloaded and installed the
version for Vista 32bit. I don't see a new program. I don't have a right
click option with search. And I have to start a search before opening the
advanced search dialog that allows me to search by date. Is this how it is
supposed to be?

Thanks
Mike