Windows search is not containing some file content

Question

Hey guys

Im having a problem with one of our Terminalsersers (Server 22)

The problem is that the Windows search in explorer for (PDF) file contents does not list certain files that contain the key words. According to the customer, files that were previously recognized are no longer recognized. All pdfs to be searched are searchable, the text can be extracted.

Interestingly, I cannot find the event logs for windows search on the device.

Answer 1

Hi Jonas Meister,

• Make sure the PDF files are not marked as ‘System files’ as Windows Search excludes these from its search results by default
• Your locations where your PDF files are stored are included in the indexing options?
• You also might need to rebuild the index.
• For PDF files, you might need to install or update the PDF iFilter.

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Answer 2

Hi Jonas,

Thanks for your post. Based on my research, if same pdf can be found previously, it should be some issue with Windows Search Index. Please refer the following link to rebuild search index.

1. Press Windows key + R together to open the RUN command box.
2. Copy and paste the following code in the text field and click OK. rundll32.exe shell32.dll,Control_RunDLL srchadmin.dll
3. Click on Advanced.
4. Choose Tab File Types.
5. Select Index Properties and File Contents
6. Click OK.
7. Choose OK when the Confirmation prompt pops up.

Best Regards,

Ian Xue

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Answer 3

I had all my indexing, search parameters and filters fine. But windows explorer search was not picking up contents. Turns out that one of the folders containing the problem files, on the properties/advanced tab was not checked "allow contents to be indexed". I do not know how this particular subfolder became unchecked and there were others. To fix this at the the "g:" drive level i selected properties/advanced and unchecked "allow contents to be indexed" and applied the changes to all files and subfolders. Then I rechecked G: "allow contents to be indexed" and applied the changes to all files and subfolders. This worked immediately. To be on the safe side, I rebuilt the index. I hope that this saves someone the time and trouble it caused me not realizing that at the file, folder, and drive level you can override the index search locations contents.