Make Windows 7 Search File Contents

Trying to find a document that you can't remember the file name, but know the contents of? Windows 7 does not always automatically search file contents, especially when it comes to more obscure files. This means if you type in a search term, it will search file titles, but not actually look through what is in each document. To enable either general content-searching (best for common file types) or file-specific content-searching (best for unusual file types), use one of the guides below.

Steps

Enable Widespread Content-Searching

1. Right-click the Start button and select Open Windows Explorer.
2. Press Alt. This will cause a toolbar to appear near the top of the Windows Explorer window.
3. Go to Tools > Folder Options.
4. Under the Search tab, click Always search file names and content. Allowing this to process might take several minutes.
5. Press OK.
6. Run a test search. Go to Start and type a keyword in the Search Programs and Files box. The results should contain the keyword in more than just the title.

Enable Content-Searching for a Specific File Type

1. Go to Start and find the Search Programs and Files box.
2. Type "search" then choose the result Change How Windows Searches.
3. Click the Advanced button just below the list of indexed locations.
4. Go to the File Types tab.
5. Select the desired extension and click Index Properties and File Contents to enable content-searching. If you want to search the contents of Excel files, for example, scroll down to .xlsx.
   • If the extension is not listed, enter your desired file extension, such as ".php," into the input box at the bottom and click Add.
6. Press OK.

Video

Template:Video:Make Windows 7 Search File Contents

Tips

• If you're still unable to search file contents, try:

1. Open Windows Explorer
2. Right-click the folder you want to search, e.g. My Documents
3. Click: Properties
4. On the General tab, Click: Advanced
5. On the Advanced Attributes dialog, select:
   
   [x] Allow files in this folder to have contents indexed in addition to file properties
6. Click: OK
7. Click: OK

• You may also add additional folders to the list of indexed locations.
• After updating your indexing options, you may have to wait some time before your results will appear as expected, as Windows must rebuild its index with the contents of the new files.
• The Indexing Options page will display the real time status of the indexing operation.
• You may also access the Indexing Options by clicking the Start button, then the Control Panel and then the Indexing Options. If you don't see them, please type "indexing" in the search box of the Control Panel.

Last Resort: Make sure the indexing service is running. Right-click on computer, and select Manage. Expand "Services and Applications". Click on Services. Look down the list for a service called "Windows Search". Right click on it and select "Properties". On this screen validate the "startup type:" as automatic. Then click Start to start the service.

Related Articles

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• Add a Folder to the Windows 7 File Index

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