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I've had some issues with the new search function in Windows 7. The Search in Windows XP was packed with so many more options. The only option I can access now are Date Modified and Size.

Any pointers to how to get more options in the Windows 7 Search, or links to external programs that can make my life easier?

I say Reinstate Monica
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sshow
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8 Answers8

112

From the Windows Search Advanced Query Syntax page, use the following search items:

To restrict by file type    Use            Example
------------------------    ---            -------
Folders                     folders        kind:folders
Folder name                 foldername     foldername:mydocs
Tim Sylvester
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Snark
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In the Search box type:

type:="File Folder" name:[enter the folder name here with no brackets]
I say Reinstate Monica
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LookingForTheAnswer
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16

I understand that you are asking specifically for windows-search based answers, but here is an alternate method in case it is helpful.

Open up the windows command prompt and navigate to the directory from which you want to start searching and use the following command:

dir *SEARCH_TERM* /ad /s

Windows Search just makes me howl with rage for a few minutes before I give up and just do the same search from the command prompt instead.

Community
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Richard Lucas
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5

On a german version of Windows 7 you'll need the filter below, because type:folder or the like won't work at all:

typ:=Dateiordner

BTW, if you press Win+F, the searchbox will offer at least a tiny bit of assistance below the box and clicking on its blue links will trigger selection widgets.

Jörg
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In cmd.exe CLI, go to the folder you want to search from, then dir /ad /b /s "search-string"

Please note that it must be cmd.exe, as I found it is an issue when using PowerShell with that command

Xin
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2

This answer is posted as an answer to a question that was closed as a duplicate, Windows Explorer Search for: Folder name BEGINS WITH [Search term], despite the fact that the accepted answer to this question is wrong because the FolderName property of a folder is its parent:

  • Test folders:

    enter image description here

  • FolderName:FindMe search results:

    enter image description here

The second answer is closer, but doesn't limit results to names that begin with the desired search term:

  • type:="File Folder" name:FIndMe search results:

    enter image description here

To limit results to those names that begin with the desired search string, you have to use the relatively unknown query operator ~<, documented here :

  • type:Directory name:~<FindMe serach results:

    enter image description here

    • Note: type:Directory == type:"File Folder"

Another useful operator documented on the linked page is ~ (Allow DOS wildcards within quoted strings):

  • type:Directory name:~"FindMe*" serach results:

    enter image description here

It's useful when you search term contains special characters like parentheses:

  • type:Directory name:~"*(desired)*" search results:

    enter image description here

Keith Miller
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Tired of Windows 7 search wonders I use FileSeek http://www.fileseek.ca It has lots of options: date/size filters, regular expressions, inclusive/exclusive search, etc.

Ivan Ferrer Villa
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0

If you have a French Windows 7 none of the above phrases works. You need a plus sign between the key words (+)

type:="Dossier de fichiers" + nom: [input the folder name, without the brackets. Add a space after : character]

Example: type:="Dossier de fichiers" + nom: Bozo Abc

Glaerferyn
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user959687
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