Searching for files containing "@require" - compaint about a "Indexing service query" not being active.

Hello all,

I've just tried to use the standard folder - rightclick - search...
putting "@require" in the "Containing text:" box. For some reason it
doesn't really tell me it complains about "The Indexing Service Query cannot
be completed", and than fails to find the search string (its in multiple
files).

I take it the "@" at the start of my search string means something special,
but I have no idea what or how to tell the OS /not/ to try to regard that
"@" (and others?) as such (I've disabled the "Indexing Service" - why is it
trying to invoke it anyway ?). Some ritual chanting perhaps ? Some
secret registry setting ? Maybe a non-mentioned escape character ?

I might be a bit sarcastic in the naming of possible solutions, but
boy-oh-boy, how I hate brain-dead programs ...

Regards,
Rudy Wieser