Windows Explorer search isn't working properly. How do I fix it?

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G

Guest

I'm trying to figure out why the search tool in "windows explorer" doesn't
work properly. When I do a search it doesn't find documents even though they
include the word or letters in the document name.

The computer is running windows XP Pro, Office 2003 pro and has the latest
patches and critical updates installed.
 
Bob said:
I'm trying to figure out why the search tool in "windows explorer" doesn't
work properly. When I do a search it doesn't find documents even though they
include the word or letters in the document name.

The computer is running windows XP Pro, Office 2003 pro and has the latest
patches and critical updates installed.
Click to expand...
Hi,

This one might help you out:

Add Files to Containing text Searches
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_fix_search.htm


Anyway, my suggestion is to 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.

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.
 
Thanks for the suggestion Torgeir. However, due to security and support
issues (in a business), I'd prefer to get the default windows explorer search
function working properly.
 
Bob

What file extension is involved?

After you have selected All files and folders do you need to check any
of the options in "More Advanced Options". The sub-folder option?

Also go to Start, Control Panel, Folder Options, View, Advanced
Settings and verify that the box before "Show hidden files and folders"
is checked and "Hide protected operating system files " is unchecked.
You may need to scroll down to see the second item. You should also
make certain that the box before "Hide extensions for known file types"
is not checked.

Are you using wild cards?

Have you tried searching "My Computer" rather than a sub-folder?


--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
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It seems to be all types of files. for example, I typed in "home" (without
quotes) and went to a network drive (where we store all our data) and it only
found 2 folders with the word home in them. When I searched from another
computer in an identical manner it showed 40-50 folders and documents (word,
excel, pdf's etc.).

I use roaming profiles on all our workstations and was curious to see if
this particular profile was the problem or if it was the workstation
software. I logged on as another user and the search feature works fine. I'm
thinking it must be some corruption in this user's profile. I may create a
new profile for this user, test it to see if it works and then bring over his
favorites, etc. (testing each time I make a change to make sure everything
continues to work). Thanks for your suggestions.
 
Bob said:
Thanks for the suggestion Torgeir. However, due to security
and support issues (in a business), I'd prefer to get the
default windows explorer search function working properly.
Click to expand...
Hi,

The first link I provided is for the builtin search:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_fix_search.htm

It links to another Web page with more info:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_bad_search.htm

and also this MS KB article:
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
 
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