For over a year now the windows 7 search feature in file explorer fails (most of the time). Periodically it will work, but most of the time I can't rely on it. It is affecting my job and as an engineer with tens of thousands of files to search on regular basis I am pulling my hair out. Please see the screen shot for a clear picture of what I'm talking about
📎 AI Summary:
The thread discusses persistent issues with Windows 7's file explorer search function, with users expressing frustration over its unreliability and complexity. Several alternative search tools like Agent Ransack, grepwin, and Swift Search are recommended as more effective solutions. Overall, participants agree that Windows 7's native search is inadequate, and some caution about compromised download links, emphasizing the importance of downloading software from official sources.
The thread discusses persistent issues with Windows 7's file explorer search function, with users expressing frustration over its unreliability and complexity. Several alternative search tools like Agent Ransack, grepwin, and Swift Search are recommended as more effective solutions. Overall, participants agree that Windows 7's native search is inadequate, and some caution about compromised download links, emphasizing the importance of downloading software from official sources.
Solution
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Use grepwin: https://code.google.com/p/grepwin/
or completely reset/rebuild the Search Index under Indexing Options -> Advanced.
http://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-7-file-search-indexing-options.45218/
or completely reset/rebuild the Search Index under Indexing Options -> Advanced.
http://windowsforum.com/threads/windows-7-file-search-indexing-options.45218/
helpifIcan
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One to try is swift search, freeware.
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Hi
I've used Agent Ransack for years as my search software.
I still do in Windows 8, it works and it's free.
I have seen times when the Windows search engine couldn't find a file that I was sitting and looking at in Windows Explorer.
As far as I can tell if it's there Agent Ransack will find it.
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/download
It's easy to use, and will be added to the right click dropdown so all you have to do it right click on the location you want to start the search from and type in what you are searching for.
Mike
I've used Agent Ransack for years as my search software.
I still do in Windows 8, it works and it's free.
I have seen times when the Windows search engine couldn't find a file that I was sitting and looking at in Windows Explorer.
As far as I can tell if it's there Agent Ransack will find it.
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/download
It's easy to use, and will be added to the right click dropdown so all you have to do it right click on the location you want to start the search from and type in what you are searching for.
Mike
Last edited by a moderator:
Hugh Hanley
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- Feb 19, 2014
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I agree that windows 7 search engine is crap. I can be sitting in the folder i want to search and enter a partial name of a file and it comes up with nothing. Why does windows have to try and fix things that are not broke and make it overly complex. Xp is still on my desktop and I can find anything i am looking for on it just about every time. I am going to try one of the suggestions above because I have given up on windows 7 search. Hint to windows programmers, fix the search so that anyone can use it!!!! I am an engineer with thousands of files but i am sure that normal people are pulling there hair out when they try to find their stuff. So frustrating....
Hugh Hanley
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- Feb 19, 2014
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OH and why would microsofts MVP even think of suggesting an alternative if windows search worked as well they claim. Indexing sucks takes forever and still does not find my files
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Try Agent Ransack, it is really easy to use since it adds the option to the right click dropdown menu.
Just right click wherever you want to search click Agent Ransack, and then type in what you want to find.
It retains the search object, so you can move around searching different locations until you find what you want.
As I've said, I've used it for years.
Just right click wherever you want to search click Agent Ransack, and then type in what you want to find.
It retains the search object, so you can move around searching different locations until you find what you want.
As I've said, I've used it for years.
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Wherever possible I download software from the original author rather than from some site which has hijacked it and pigyy backed a load of junk with it - try this link for agent ransack:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/download
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/download
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Hi
I should have posted the link to the Agent Ransack site, shown above.
I'm not sure how I ended up with the one I did.
Too much of a hurry and grabbed the first link I saw I guess.
I would change it but it's been too long, maybe the staff can remove it?
There are many sites that use the pretense of offering downloads of other peoples software just as a means of getting ad-ware etc into your computer.
Always try and find the site of the original creator.
I.e. Piriform for CCleaner and Defraggler for instance, these are very popular downloads and are often used to get clicks on download sites.
Mike
I should have posted the link to the Agent Ransack site, shown above.
I'm not sure how I ended up with the one I did.
Too much of a hurry and grabbed the first link I saw I guess.
I would change it but it's been too long, maybe the staff can remove it?
There are many sites that use the pretense of offering downloads of other peoples software just as a means of getting ad-ware etc into your computer.
Always try and find the site of the original creator.
I.e. Piriform for CCleaner and Defraggler for instance, these are very popular downloads and are often used to get clicks on download sites.
Mike
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