Windows 10: How to search a file by its partial name?

Hi,

I have a file named IMG_20151218_0001.pdf. How can search it when I only remember it has 1218 as a part of the file name? Thanks. I tried some of the searches and the result is empty, such as filename:"*1218*", *1218*, and "*1218*".

Thank you.

:)

 

Windows 10 File Explorer Search malfunction

I have files with PA2584 as part of their name. If I search for 2584, nothing is found. If I search for PA2584, the files are found. Why isn't the partial string 2584 found? How can I get the search to work for this?

 

File Explorer Search fails wildcard partial numeric name search.

When I enter ~ in the Search box, ALL files in the folder and sub-folder are listed, when I add " in the Search box the file list is replaced by No items match your search. Adding other characters to ~" has no affect.

Both my wife's Windows 10 Home 64-bit and my Windows 10 Pro 32-bit have the same result. Both systems have Explorer.exe 6/30/2016 but times and size vary.

What version of Windows are you using?

 

Does it work if you search for *1218?

 

Since you know that the file is a .pdf format, one idea would be to limit the search in the following way:
search for *1218*.pdf
The * character used as wildcards allow for any characters before or after the 1218 and the .pdf limits the actual searching to only Portable Document Format files (pdf's).
Another way would be to search with these criteria: IMG*1218*.*
This would find all file types (the portion of the file name after the last dot which contained IMG and 1218

Just my two cents.

Hope this helps.

 

Hi, recommend using locate32 (freeware)

If you can't recall the location - it works
If you want to do wild card searches, you get 'instantaneous' results as you type the search string.

It builds an index (you can have multiple indices) and you can easily specify limits on the range of your search. (E.g. partition, folder)...

Add to that date range, size and the ability to search within some text files..

Logical operators, reg. expressions supported.

 

I used locate32 during my XP days and it was great but it is not being updated much these days so for Windows 10 I have moved on to Everything Search Engine which is still being actively developed
• Totally free (donations accepted)
• Small installation file
• Clean and simple user interface
• Quick file indexing
• Quick searching
• Minimal resource usage
• Share files with others easily
• Real-time updating
• Much more .......
There is also a Portable version so you can test it and if it's not what you want then simply delete the folder

 

Have you tried just 1218 in the search box or icon located next to start button....change the setting to search just your PC. Seems to work for me when I'm looking for something.

 

using *1218*.pdf under My stuff did not find the file

 

I have also experienced missing files when using wildcard search. Hoping this gets fixed.

To limit the results, and speed up the search, start the search with name:

 

Are you searching your entire "C" drive (assuming it's your only drive) and not just a folder under it?
I have often found that when I cannot locate a file, the search was being limited to some specific folder like "My Documents" as opposed to the entire drive.

You could also search the entire drive for "*.pdf" and check in the list you get back.

 

no.

 

I put the word in "Search the web and Windows" box and clicked My stuff button. I assumed it should search the entire c drive. I use windows 10.

 

I think you'll find a Cortana search like that only searches what's been indexed. So if it's not indexed, it's not found.
Hint at the bottom: 'Other places to look' - includes explorer. Hmm.

Don't use Windows search- it's slow and clunky. 'Everything' by voidtools, or 'Locate32'. Far handier and much much faster. They build a complete index very fast and offer conditional search with regular expressions etc.

And did I say free?