Search functionality within File Explorer

Question

I read a post from 2017 stating that the functionality to default search preference to "current folder" within the File Explorer is not possible.

Has this since changed as it has now been 2 years and it is actually very frustrating to navigate through endless files or have to physically select current folder after inputting a search criteria?

This needs to be addressed and I do not understand the rationale behind removing it. When you are at work; inevitably there are thousands of files to navigate through and this just makes a simple task that much longer.

Answer 1

Hi Naeem

I just noticed something on my PC wile investigating this for you . . .

If you click into the Search box, then click the 'Search Tools' Tab, do you see this option?

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Answer 2

Hi Dave,

Whilst I appreciate that this is a work around, it does not simplify things - the only solution that is feasible is to select "current folder" every time I enter a search criteria.

I would like to hear from Microsoft themselves to understand if any patches / updates will be applied to allow us to change our default search functions.

This was possible in older versions of Windows so I do not understand why it isn't in Windows 10...

Thanks for the help Dave, however, your solution seems more time consuming than it needs to be.

Kind Regards,

Naeem

Answer 3

Hi Naeem

This workaround will work for you:

In Windows File Explorer, you can use this search criteria explained below and File Explorer will not search sub-folders:

In the search box, enter foldername + colon: + the name of the folder to search + space + the normal search term you use

So for example, if I want to find all text files in a parent folder named xxx the search term would be

foldername:xxx *.txt

Or , if I want to find a file names photo1.jpg files in a parent folder named Home the search term would be

foldername:Home photo1.jpg

Answer 4

Hi Dave,

The latter - I have only recently migrated from Windows 7 at work and the search would only display items within a folder which seems the most appropriate thing to do.

Now, the option to change the default between "current folder" and "sub-folders" has been removed from Windows 10 which means the search results display thousands of files.

Perhaps the image below is a better illustration?

Would appreciate if you know of any work around this? 

Thanks,

Naeem

Answer 5

Hi Naeem

Can you please explain this in more detail . . .

Do you mean if you navigate to a folder, when you search at the top right of File Explorer, that explorer is bringing up results form other folders outside of that folder, or is it bringing up search results form sub-solders of that folder and you want to stop that behavior?