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Exclude a word in a Windows 10 File Manager search

Anonymous
2020-01-08T03:03:03+00:00

The old file manager allowed for many conditions. One was if you were looking for a word, you could exclude other words. For instance, if I wanted to search for 'Flower' but I did not want any results that had 'Daisy' in it, I would put 'Daisy' as an exception and the results would show everything else with 'Flower' except 'Daisy'.

Can I identify exclusions in a Windows 10 File Manager search?

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2020-01-08T03:38:59+00:00

    Use the NOT Boolean operator. It must be all caps.

    content:Flower NOT Daisy

    or

    Name:Flower NOT Daisy

    For sucessful searching of file contents, the dontents must be indexed:

    Keith

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  2. Anonymous
    2020-01-08T03:19:36+00:00

    Hi Linda. I'm Greg, an installation specialist, 10 year Windows MVP, and Volunteer Moderator here to help you.

    This is the best article I've found on delimiting searches to get exactly what you want in File Explorer:

    https://helpdeskgeek.com/windows-10/find-specif...

    If you want to go even more Advanced then this tutorial will take you further:

    https://www.howtogeek.com/school/learning-windo...

    I hope this helps. Feel free to ask back any questions and keep me posted. I will keep working with you until it's resolved.

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    Standard Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the sites that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the sites before you decide to download and install it.

    4 people found this answer helpful.
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