Windows XP's built-in search

[mike7411]

I've seen a lot of instances where I use the Windows XP's built-in
search to find
"A word or phrase in the file", and it says "Search is complete.
There
are no results to display." even though I know the word is in a file
that should be getting searched. In fact, I pasted the word exactly
from a file that should be getting searched, and it still doesn't
work.

Any ideas how to make Windows XP's built-in search work right? I have
all up-to-date
service packs. Or, is there a good replacement?

Thank you.

 

[Rock]

I've seen a lot of instances where I use the Windows XP's built-in
search to find
"A word or phrase in the file", and it says "Search is complete.
There
are no results to display." even though I know the word is in a file
that should be getting searched. In fact, I pasted the word exactly
from a file that should be getting searched, and it still doesn't
work.

Any ideas how to make Windows XP's built-in search work right? I have
all up-to-date
service packs. Or, is there a good replacement?

XP's search only looks in files with certain extensions. You can add
additional extensions. See this KB article.
Using the "A word or phrase in the file" search criterion may not work
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309173/EN-US/

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

 

[witan]

XP's search only looks in files with certain extensions. You can add
additional extensions. See this KB article.
Using the "A word or phrase in the file" search criterion may not workhttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/309173/EN-US/

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

I am not familiar with "Agent Ransack" recommended by Rock, but I
think one of the Desktop Search programs should serve your purpose. I
have been using Copernic Desktop Search (free) for quite some time,
and find it quite useful. Downloadable from
http://download3.copernic.com/copernicdesktopsearch2.exe

 

[Bob I]

I am not familiar with "Agent Ransack" recommended by Rock, but I
think one of the Desktop Search programs should serve your purpose. I
have been using Copernic Desktop Search (free) for quite some time,
and find it quite useful. Downloadable from
http://download3.copernic.com/copernicdesktopsearch2.exe

That one is an indexing system and not as "system frindly" as Agent Ransack.

 

[Poprivet]

I've seen a lot of instances where I use the Windows XP's built-in
search to find
"A word or phrase in the file", and it says "Search is complete.
There
are no results to display." even though I know the word is in a file
that should be getting searched. In fact, I pasted the word exactly
from a file that should be getting searched, and it still doesn't
work.

Any ideas how to make Windows XP's built-in search work right? I have
all up-to-date
service packs. Or, is there a good replacement?

Thank you.

If you really want a replacement, PowerDesk is excellent for that purpose
and many others. There is a free version but you have to search the site to
find it; the pay version isn't expensive, but I know it's nice to "test"
first. The free version is, I think, 5, and some of the niceties are not
available.
Its search function beats the bejeepers off windows explorer for some
reason.
It can even replace windows explorer if you want it to.

Pop`

 

[Donald Lessau]

...
Or, is there a good replacement?

XYplorer is a shareware file manager that does not have this problem. It
searches for contained text in all types of files, even in binary files.

http://www.xyplorer.com/


Don