Windows Explorer Search ignores some file types?

F

Fred Exley

I selected a folder using Windows Explorer, selected the Search option, and
entered some text in the 'A word or phrase in the file:' box. The results
returned included all files containing that text, EXCEPT files with a .java
extension. If I rename those files to .txt, Windows Explorer finds the
search text.

Why does Windows Explorer ignore these file types? And are there other file
types we should be aware of that Windows Explorer will ignore? Thanks in
advance! -Fred
 
R

Rock

Fred said:
I selected a folder using Windows Explorer, selected the Search option, and
entered some text in the 'A word or phrase in the file:' box. The results
returned included all files containing that text, EXCEPT files with a .java
extension. If I rename those files to .txt, Windows Explorer finds the
search text.

Why does Windows Explorer ignore these file types? And are there other file
types we should be aware of that Windows Explorer will ignore? Thanks in
advance! -Fred

Using the "A word or phrase in the file" search criterion may not work
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=309173

Another option is use the free search tool Agent Ransack:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/
 
F

Fred Exley

Rock said:
Using the "A word or phrase in the file" search criterion may not work
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=309173

Another option is use the free search tool Agent Ransack:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/


Hey thanks much! I used method 2 of the first link, and that did it:

Method 2To configure Windows XP to search all files no matter what the file
type, obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP and then turn on the
Index file types with unknown extensions option.

If you use this method, Windows XP searches all file types for the text that
you specify. This can affect the performance of the search functionality. To
do this:
1. Click Start, and then click Search (or point to Search, and then
click For Files or Folders).
2. Click Change preferences, and then click With Indexing Service (for
faster local searches).
3. Click Change Indexing Service Settings (Advanced). Note that you do
not have to turn on the Index service.
4. On the toolbar, click Show/Hide Console Tree.
5. In the left pane, right-click Indexing Service on Local Machine,
and then click Properties.
6. On the Generation tab, click to select the Index files with unknown
extensions check box, and then click OK.
7. Close the Indexing Service console.
 

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