Weird Search Issue

[frank1492]

I'm new to Vista and don't quite understand how the search works.
I have done two searches, the first for all .xls files, the second for
all .doc files. I want to create separate folders for each of these.
On the first, I did a non-indexed search (or so I thought),
selected the results and hit "copy." I then opened Windows Explorer
and created a folder, and hit "paste." To my surprise, the folder
was already populated so I kept getting asked if I wanted to copy
over the existing files!
After this issue was band-aided, I did a second search for the
..doc files and repeated the process. This time however the newly named
folder was populated with all the items from the .xls folder so now I
have two differently named folders with .xls files in them and can't
seem to copy the .doc files I found in the .doc search. I have
repeatedly deleted the .xls files, but every time I try to copy over
the .doc files, the .xls files reappear.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks in advance.
Frank

 

[Jon]

I'm trying to get my head around exactly what you've done here, so all I can
offer you is a few comments inline. Hopefully that will help to clarify
matters

I'm new to Vista and don't quite understand how the search works.
I have done two searches, the first for all .xls files, the second for
all .doc files. I want to create separate folders for each of these.

Ok, well the way you would normally do this is to go

Start > Search > ext:doc (entered in the top right box)

then click save search

That will create a virtual folder with all your .doc files (in indexed
locations). Similarly for the xls extension

On the first, I did a non-indexed search (or so I thought),
selected the results and hit "copy." I then opened Windows Explorer
and created a folder, and hit "paste." To my surprise, the folder
was already populated so I kept getting asked if I wanted to copy
over the existing files!

Well the only way I can see that happening is that if you didn't copy your
files to the newly created folder, but instead to another folder (?)

After this issue was band-aided, I did a second search for the
.doc files and repeated the process. This time however the newly named
folder was populated with all the items from the .xls folder so now I
have two differently named folders with .xls files in them and can't
seem to copy the .doc files I found in the .doc search. I have
repeatedly deleted the .xls files, but every time I try to copy over
the .doc files, the .xls files reappear.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks in advance.
Frank

I don't understand what you've done in this portion. You may wish to clarify
it for a better response.

 

[frank1492]

I'm trying to get my head around exactly what you've done here, so all I can
offer you is a few comments inline. Hopefully that will help to clarify
matters

Thanks Jon, will try to clarify, but not sure I can

Ok, well the way you would normally do this is to go

Start > Search > ext:doc (entered in the top right box)

then click save search

That will create a virtual folder with all your .doc files (in indexed
locations). Similarly for the xls extension

I typed in ext:doc, before I just typed in .doc. The files appeared. I
then selected them and copied and pasted them to the new folder
and everything worked OK. I didn't save the search itself because I
didn't think I had to to simply transfer the files.
I don't know if using ext:doc instead of just .doc made the
difference, but it might have. In any event, the problem seems solved
for the moment.

Well the only way I can see that happening is that if you didn't copy your
files to the newly created folder, but instead to another folder (?)

I'm pretty sure I didn't do this, but I am new to the way Vista
highlights things..

I don't understand what you've done in this portion. You may wish to clarify
it for a better response.

I guess at this point I have nothing more to offer as the problem is
cleared up (it seems.) Thank you again! Will be sure to post again if
I have problems.
Frank

 

[Jon]

I typed in ext:doc, before I just typed in .doc. The files appeared. I
then selected them and copied and pasted them to the new folder
and everything worked OK. I didn't save the search itself because I
didn't think I had to to simply transfer the files.
I don't know if using ext:doc instead of just .doc made the
difference, but it might have. In any event, the problem seems solved
for the moment.
......

I guess at this point I have nothing more to offer as the problem is
cleared up (it seems.) Thank you again! Will be sure to post again if
I have problems.
Frank

Ok, thanks for the update Frank - glad you've resolved it. Yeah, it sounds
like it was just a few teething problems with the syntax. There's a good
guide here to some of the search terms that you can enter .....

Windows Desktop Search: Advanced Query Reference for 3.x
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/desktopsearch/addresources/advanced.mspx

It's a complex piece of machinery the Windows Search, but it's worth getting
to know imho, and the rewards are good for doing so.

Happy searching !

 

[Celegans]

It's a complex piece of machinery the Windows Search, but it's worth
getting to know imho, and the rewards are good for doing so.

BUT, there can be HUGE failures using Vista's search. Vista cannot find
files that one could find with Windows 95, 98, 2000 and XP! Many of the
Vista search failures have been documented and discussed here:
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2007/05/09/advanced-search-techniques.aspx

Microsoft made a new search that is fast in Vista, but it doesn't always
work, and the results often cannot be trusted.

If you work in a multi-platform environment (like Linux and Windows), or if
you have diverse file extensions from scientific or engineering data,
Vista's Search is AWFUL! There are MANY files on my PC that I can no longer
find if when I'm looking for a string within a file.

This has been a problem for months and Microsoft refuses to listen and
refuses to fix the problem. Vista SP1 still has a flawed search featured.

I have asked Microsoft for permission to downgrade from Windows Vista
ULTIMATE to Windows XP Pro so I can find ALL of my files again. Microsoft
said "no" and I must pay for a copy of XP Pro if I want a search engine that
always finds my files.

Microsoft doesn't care about customers and doesn't respect customers -- even
those willing to buy their "Ultimate" product.

I regret ever buying Vista Ultimate a year ago.

 

[Val]

I've never found any searching by M$ to be really helpful - not in the Help
facilities of its programs, not on its website, nor in the OSs.

Google is my friend.

 

[theclyde]

BUT, there can be  HUGE failures using Vista's search.  Vista cannot find
files that one could find with Windows 95, 98, 2000 and XP!  Many of the
Vista search failures have been documented and discussed here:http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/windowsvista/archive/2007/05/09/adv...

Microsoft made a new search that is fast in Vista, but it doesn't always
work, and the results often cannot be trusted.

If you work in a multi-platform environment (like Linux and Windows), or if
you have diverse file extensions from scientific or engineering data,
Vista's Search is AWFUL!  There are MANY files on my PC that I can no longer
find if when I'm looking for a string within a file.

This has been a problem for months and Microsoft refuses to listen and
refuses to fix the problem.  Vista SP1 still has a flawed search featured.

I have asked Microsoft for permission to downgrade from Windows Vista
ULTIMATE to Windows XP Pro so I can find ALL of my files again.  Microsoft
said "no" and I must pay for a copy of XP Pro if I want a search engine that
always finds my files.

Microsoft doesn't care about customers and doesn't respect customers -- even
those willing to buy their "Ultimate" product.

I regret ever buying Vista Ultimate a year ago.

Here here - saved by backups, I nearly lost a lot of files when I
moved to Vista, assuming that the search finding them meant they were
there or not finding them meant they were not.

 

[Chris Game]

Here here - saved by backups, I nearly lost a lot of files when I
moved to Vista, assuming that the search finding them meant they were
there or not finding them meant they were not.

Use a better search program, like X1.

 

[theclyde]

Use a better search program, like X1.

--
Chris Game

"When the winds of change blow, some people build walls, others
build windmills"  -- Brian Maynes

I use better programs now. Just thought that after paying, what, $500
for an operating system that claimed to have an ace search index that
perhaps it might be usable.