Windows 10: File Explorer search does not correctly handle ~ character in filenames

Please fix the behavior of File Explorer search when using the tilde ~ character. This character is valid in filenames, but searching for ~ e.g., using *~* returns unrelated results or behaves inconsistently. This causes confusion and makes it hard to find files with ~ in their names. It’s unacceptable that a valid character cannot be reliably searched for. Please address this issue.

:)

 

Searching for a string within a filename in File Explorer

I want to search a folder for filenames that contain the word "Committee". When in File Explorer, I type "Committee" into the Search field and hit enter. It finds (highlights in yellow) files that start with "Committee" but not the ones where "Committee"
is embedded in the file name. For example:

• "Committee-Mission-Roles-and-Responsibilities" = finds it and highlights "Committee" in yellow
• "19510701ListClubCommitteesReportDirectorsBW" = Lists this file but does not highlight "Committee" in yellow
• "20150526MinutesBoard" = Lists this file because the word "Committee" is in the text of the file.

Is there a way to do a search that lists only filenames that contain the word "Committee"? I don't want files listed if the word "Committee" is not part of the filename.

Moved from ( Windows / Windows 10 / Files, folders, & storage )

 

File Explorer not searching correctly.

Hi

Thanks for your reply.

I understand the issue with your File Explorer's search function persists. It's indeed unusual that it only allows searching with a single character and crashes with two or more.

I can suggest further troubleshooting steps.

1. Reset File Explorer: Open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc), find 'Windows Explorer', right-click it and select 'Restart'. This will reset File Explorer and might solve temporary glitches.
   
2. Check Event Viewer: Event Viewer can provide more information about what's causing File Explorer to crash. Press Windows Key + X and select 'Event Viewer'. In the left panel, navigate to 'Windows Logs' > 'Application'. Look for recent events with 'Error' level. The 'General' tab in the lower half of the screen provides details about the error.
   
3. Create a New User Account: Sometimes, user account files can get corrupted and cause issues. Creating a new user account can help determine if this is the case. If File Explorer works correctly on the new account, you might need to move your files to this new account and use it instead.
   

Please keep me updated on your progress, and don't hesitate to ask if you have further questions or need more assistance.

 

How do I search for the % character

As the name says, special characters are used for various special purposes, for instance the % sign you mentioned is used to mark environment variables. You can try it yourself to see how it works:

• Type %userprofile% on File Explorer addessbar, hit Enter to open your user folder
• Type %windir% on File Explorer addessbar, hit Enter to open Windows folder
• Type %localappdata% on File Explorer addessbar, hit Enter to open Users\Your_Username\Appdata\Local folder
• Type %appdata% on File Explorer addessbar, hit Enter to open Users\Your_Username\Appdata\Roaming folder

To search files and folders containing these special characters use filename:*X (filename followed by : and * plus the character you are searching) replacing X with actual character. For instance to find all files and folders with % sign in name, search for filename:*%.

To find all files and folders with string &Test in file / folder name search for filename:*&Test.