Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of brgdotnet
brgdotnetFlag for United States of America

asked on

How to search within files using vista

How do I perform an advanced search for files in Microsoft vista? For example I would like to search all .doc files for the words "Adroid"

I can see the search box that is displayed right above the start button when it is pressed. Also in the upper right hand corner of the scree in file explorer there is a search box. But I can not see how to perform and advanced search.

I did a search on google, and some people were asking the same question. Some people mentioned a drop down arrow below the search box, but I don't see it on my computer.

Can someone help me?
Avatar of John
John
Flag of Canada image

Look in Conrol Panel -> Indexing Options. Look through these options to make sure the folder you want is in the index and to see if the .DOC file type is checked in Advanced -> File types. Vista will normally search .DOC files for content by default.

In the Search Window, look at the Advanced Search and click the down arrow and an Advanced Search Window opens.
... Thinkpads_User
Avatar of brgdotnet

ASKER

I don't see the "Indexing Options" feature you are referring to?
SOLUTION
Avatar of LeeTutor
LeeTutor
Flag of United States of America image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
I appreciate you gentlemen helping me. I see the advanced search window now, but I don't see an option that will allow me to search within a file of a certain type. So if I wanted to search all of my .txt files for the words "Vista Is A Nightmare".


How would I do that" Attached is a screen snapshot of what I am currently seeing.
vistaSearch.jpg
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
I so appreciate your help and patience sir! I did what you said, but Iin the advanced search window I posted, I don't see a text box that will allow me to search for a string in a file?
What you showed us here was the Advanced Search application. My last post dealt with going into Control Panel and setting the Search Options. This is a different thing. Follow the post about Control Panel and do let us know. ... Thinkpads_User
You just type the string you're searching for in the search box at the top right of the window.
I am sure you guys are right on. I am just feeling this incredible frustration with Vista Search. I really think Microsoft screwed up the whole search process. Anyway, just my oppinion. Because I loved the search feature in every OS since DOS command line, right up to XP.

Anyway, you get the points. Thanks.
I hope you make some progress here. The Vista search works well and fast. It leaves out content in PDF files which can be fixed with a free add-on from FoxIT. Good luck.
... Thinkpads_User