WindowsXP Search program does not work well

[Bill]

Hi,

With Windows2000 search program (start->search)I can find whatever files I
want, but not with WindowsXP's. Now I have 2 files containing the same
keyword(let it be "welcome"), one is .txt file and the other is .c file, and
the 2 files are stored in the same directory. Whenever I run the search
program with key word "welcome", it only returns the .txt file, not include
the .c file. Any suggestion? It's a big inconvenience to me.

Thanks in advance.

Bill

[M Rajesh]

Hi,

There are 2 options in using search for files. The first
one searches only in documents (word processing,
spreadsheets etc) and the second option searches all
types of files. If you use the first option then you will
not get the .c file since it is not classified as a
document. To include other files use the second option -
All files and folders.
I stimulated the search as described by you and got the
same behavior as specified but got the file in the second
option.

Regards
M. Rajesh

>-----Original Message-----
>Hi,
>
>With Windows2000 search program (start->search)I can
find whatever files I
>want, but not with WindowsXP's. Now I have 2 files
containing the same
>keyword(let it be "welcome"), one is .txt file and the
other is .c file, and
>the 2 files are stored in the same directory. Whenever I
run the search
>program with key word "welcome", it only returns
the .txt file, not include
>the .c file. Any suggestion? It's a big inconvenience to
me.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Bill
>
>
>.
>

[Del.]

"M Rajesh" > wrote in message
...
> Hi,
>
> There are 2 options in using search for files. The first
> one searches only in documents (word processing,
> spreadsheets etc) and the second option searches all
> types of files. If you use the first option then you will
> not get the .c file since it is not classified as a
> document. To include other files use the second option -
> All files and folders.
> I stimulated the search as described by you and got the
> same behavior as specified but got the file in the second
> option.
>
> Regards
> M. Rajesh
>
Begs the question.
What form of stimulation did you use?

[Torgeir Bakken (MVP)]

Bill wrote:

> With Windows2000 search program (start->search)I can find whatever files I
> want, but not with WindowsXP's. Now I have 2 files containing the same
> keyword(let it be "welcome"), one is .txt file and the other is .c file, and
> the 2 files are stored in the same directory. Whenever I run the search
> program with key word "welcome", it only returns the .txt file, not include
> the .c file. Any suggestion? It's a big inconvenience to me.

Hi

WinXP's search function filters out files to search in based on file
extensions (see further below).

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. It's a *much* better search tool as well...

http://www.agentransack.com/index.asp

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.


If you still want to use the not so good search tool that comes with WinXP to
search for text in files, take a look at this:

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

Or this:

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


--
torgeir
Microsoft MVP Scripting and WMI, Porsgrunn Norway
Administration scripting examples and an ONLINE version of the 1328 page
Scripting Guide: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/scriptcenter