Windows 10: How to find specific phrase in search of all files in Documents folder

This used to work. By "used to," I mean it worked a couple of weeks ago. Now, when I'm in Windows and I click on the Documents folder and type something in the search box, using quotes, I no longer get a list of the documents containing the search terms but instead get a list of any and all documents that have any of the search terms.


For example, I'll type "for goodness' sake" in the search box and, astoundingly, I'll get a list of every document that contains the word "for" in it! Come on! What happened? Did I press the anti-magic button somewhere and now search no longer works? I actually need this for my job, where I often have to reference past documents and can't possibly guess which exact past document I need.


Help, please.

:)

 

Windows 10 - How to search an exact phrase in file contents?

UberHaker, I opened a specific Word document, copied a specific phrase out of that document, typed in ~="the phrase" and searched in My Documents where the file was located. It never found that document! I then did the same search in the specific folder,
but it never found that specific document. Instead, it finds single words, not the phrase! ARGHHH! So frustrating.

 

Phrase search using File Explorer

Hi Yoshiko,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

To assist you better, do let us know if you are trying to locate the phrase from a word document.

Please note that the search bar in file explorer will only look for folders and files and not for contents.

If it is a word document, I would suggest you to try the steps below and check if it helps:

1. Open the document/file.

2. Press Ctrl + F to enable search option.

3. Type the phrase or word you are looking for without the quotes.

4. Check if you are able to locate what you are searching for.

Do let us know if this works. We will be glad to help if you need further assistance.

 

Searching for Phrase in File Explorer

I'm not having a problem searching in folders of Excel and Word documents for single words like "word".

My problem is searching through Excel and Word documents in a folder for a phrase like ""how can I search for a phrase".

I'm getting results including individual words in the phrase like "how" or "I" but not the exact phrase.