Share via

How to search an EXACT PHRASE in file contents - explorer

Anonymous
2020-12-07T09:54:03+00:00

Hi, I am after some help, this question has been asked several times in the community but the suggestions are not working so I will ask again maybe somebody found a workaround.

Windows 10 - How to search an EXACT PHRASE in file contents?

I am searching daily through 1000 different word files, and often I need to find something specific.

For eg "blue wood sign", if I type in this 3-word text it will find me all the documents that CONTAIN wood, blue, and sign.

What is the trick of searching for an exact phrase?

I have tried so far these suggestions from the community

putting it in ""   "blue wood sign"

repeating the phrase "blue wood sign"  "blue wood sign"

content: "blue wood sign"

or simply tried blue wood sign

Each of these ideas searches for every single word. Or if you can advise some different programs to download/buy that will be able to do this.

Please help me out

Thank you

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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments

10 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
  1. Anonymous
    2021-02-14T20:54:40+00:00

    Found this somewhere else and it worked for me in case you still need it.

    ~="your search phrase"

    300+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2021-05-03T03:10:02+00:00

    Microsoft Windows [Version 10.0.19041.928]

    When "search file content" is not checked

    It may be written

    content:~="your search phrase"

    100+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2020-12-07T10:11:58+00:00

    Hi, thank you for your reply

    Unfortunately, that is not working.

    I have tested it several times

    It will find me all the documents which contain any of those words. Tried it with different word combinations.

    70+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  4. Anonymous
    2021-04-27T09:06:46+00:00

    works for me, but microsoft file explorer: why is it so complicated?

    50+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments
  5. DaveM121 872.1K Reputation points Independent Advisor
    2020-12-07T10:00:14+00:00

    Hi Tavasz

    I am Dave, an Independent Advisor, I will help you with this . . .

    In the search box in File Explorer, paste this search term and see if that results in only finding files with that exact phrase, I have tested this and it does work . . .

    content: "blue wood sign"

    30+ people found this answer helpful.
    0 comments No comments