Windows 10: document search

Hi lx07, just wondered if you could explain how to select this Reader Search Handler please? (I don't recall seeing this).
I had previously had pdf's indexed, but changed pdf reader. So I found in Indexing Options, File Types, no filter assigned for pdf's. (Not every pdf reader has one, so changing readers seems likely to prevent pdf's being indexed). So I installed the Adobe ifilter.

You seem to have Sumatra as your pdf reader; I reassigned it as default to see what would happen, but still see 'PDF Filter' in Indexing Options, File Types, as before.

Thanks.

 

Since Windows 8 the default filter for pdf is the (built in) Reader Search Handler. This allows you to find text strings in pdf.



Note Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 and later provide native support for indexing pdf-files. This applies to both the 32-bit and the 64-bit editions and is done via the Reader Search Handler. Installing the Adobe PDF iFilter is therefor optional. https://www.howto-outlook.com/downlo...fpreviewer.htm

I often search for variable names in files or the names of other programs called. Most files are .txt but some (documentation) are pdf. I have about 100k files I search (95% .txt) so search performance is important. Windows Search gives the answer as fast as I type. Using Notepad++ search within files can take 10 or 15 minutes.

I'm not sure how you would revert to default filter - uninstall the Adobe one I guess. I've clean installed way too many times since I used it to remember.

I do indeed (I like it and the screenshot was from my normal PC). It makes no difference though - it only shows the default program to open pdf - the filter is a separate thing.

This is from clean install with nothing installed - the filter is the same with Edge as the default reader.

 

Thanks- seems to be the case that once that default is lost there's no obvious way to restore it; it seems setting certain readers (or maybe installing them) causes it to be lost.

It was because I didn't have one (but know I used to!) that I installed the Adobe filter.
I used to use Foxit - which is referred to in your posted link.

As you say, setting Edge as default doesn't cause the default filter to reappear.

PDF Search Stops Working In Windows 8 64-Bit | Bruceb News


Fix to restore default handler:
PDF search breaks after 11.0 install of Adobe Acrobat or Reader
from
Has Adobe Acrobat DC broken Windows 8.1 pdf search again - Microsoft Community

 

I have now installed iFilter, re-indexed and the list of file types you quote shows the following:





Using Windows key + S I have searched for text in several PDFs deeply buried in folders and it works, lightning fast. Thanks.

 

Excellent! It is somewhat frustrating that one has to fiddle with spanners and screwdrivers to get these things to work.

 

Thanks for the replies. I'll need to be searching for files in a few days. I will refer to these suggestions and perhaps my problem will be solved.

Thanks again.