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Searching for exact strings with Windows Explorer

Anonymous
2021-04-02T14:06:16+00:00

This used to work really well for me until an update (and now new computer).  It hasn't worked well since, but now it's not working at all.  I thought it used to work by putting a single quote around the string for which I wanted to search.

I have a folder with Word files.  How do I search for any string with 'xyz' in it?

The approached described in this thread does not work at all for me:  https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/all/searching-windows-explorer-10-file-contents-for/aa7e860e-7e7a-4fc0-a43a-362380b6b114 .  

Thank you!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Cortana and search

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  1. Anonymous
    2021-04-02T15:26:51+00:00

    Good day! I'm Raniel, an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you.

    Kindly try open file explorer, go to the folder where you need to search the file with the content and enter the search term~="xyz" instead of content:"xyz".

    If that didn't work, you may use a tool called Agent Ransack(free version) to search for the file: https://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/

    I hope this helps. Good luck!

    ________________________________________________________

    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.

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2021-04-02T19:51:37+00:00

    Good day! I'm Raniel, an Independent Advisor and a Microsoft user like you.

    Kindly try open file explorer, go to the folder where you need to search the file with the content and enter the search term~="xyz" instead of content:"xyz".

    Not sure I follow.  Are you saying I should enter:  

    search term ~="xyz"

    That doesn't work.

    Or are you saying I should enter:  

    ~="xyz"

    That doesn't work either.

    By the way, I will try Agent Ransack if needed, but the search I was getting in MSFT Explorer just a couple months ago was exemplary... I'd just like to get that same functionality back again and I'm not sure why I'm not getting it.

    9 people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2021-04-06T08:42:33+00:00

    Hi Mark17MI,

    Thanks for the update. Try this setting in Windows Explorer and see if it makes a difference.

    1. Launch Windows Explorer
    2. Click File
    3. Select Change Folder and Search options
    4. Click Search tab
    5. Put a check on the option "Always search file names and contents"
    6. Restart explorer

    Let me know what happens.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2021-04-03T10:39:12+00:00

    Computer is up to date.

    Also, it says no recommended troubleshooters right now.  I don't see a button to "run troubleshooter."

    Thanks!

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  5. Anonymous
    2021-04-03T09:26:20+00:00

    Hi Mark17MI.

    Apologies if that didn't work for you. Can you check if your machine is up-to-date with the latest security patches? Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Check for Updates.

    Kindly try to run the search and indexing troubleshooter as well. Go to Start > Settings > Update and Security > Troubleshoot > Search and Indexing > select Run Troubleshooter.

    You may also rebuild your search index, then check again: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/58569-rebui...

    Please let me know how it goes. Thank you.

    ________________________________________________________

    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.

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