Windows 10: Search only showing files when search is filtered

Hi everyone,

I'm running a fresh install of Windows 10 Pro on an XPS 13. I was convinced that search was broken, but it turns out my files WOULD show if I provided a filter. For example:

Hit Windows key and type "Beatles" and I would only see suggested web searches and a "best match" image.

BUT

Hit Windows key a and type "music:beatles" or "folder:beatles" and I'd get exactly what I wanted.

Is this working as it should?

Worth noting that I've given Cortana zero permissions, could that be affecting things?

Also worth noting that the folder I'm primarily trying to search is a music folder with all the music in the "public music" folder (in order to share the folder across user accounts on the laptop).

Thanks for any help.

:)

 

How do I filter searches in File Explorer?

I want to search for files using only the File Name. A search reveals many files that I don't want to find because the search criteria is somehow connected in a way other than the name of the file.

How can I filter my searches?

 

Windows 10 Will Only Search Under C:\Users & Drag and Drop Not Working Anymore

Hi,

I'm having a common problem that I can't find a solution for.

When I search using Cortana only results from C:\Users will appear, if the file is on my D: drive it will not appear unless I select Filter > Photos (if searching for an image file for example). The entire D: drive has been indexed and rebuilt, I can search
in Windows explorer and find the file quickly, however I like to press the windows key and quickly execute a search to find a file name.

The filter search makes it impossible to find project files for Adobe, Steinberg, and other software since the file name extensions do not correspond to any of the filter options.

What is the solution for enabling all files to appear in Cortana's search results?

An additional question, I can't drag and drop files searched in Cortana into software or Windows explorer, how can I do this without opening the file in windows explorer? Windows 7 had this handy feature by default.

Thanks,

Zach

 

"...given Cortana zero permissions..."

I'm assuming you don't prefer Cortana? Disable Cortana (I think you get the regular Search instead) and see if it works.

##) Disable Cortana
a) Search for, and open: gpedit.msc
b) Go to Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Search
c) Disable Allow Cortana

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I just tried it and then rebuilt the search index, no dice. Again, the files are clearly indexed but only found if I qualify the search (music, folder, etc). It's really bizarre.

 

Hi, what you're dealing with is Cortana search, which is a mixture of web, apps, and indexed folders and files.

You have noted you can prioritise the search with prefixes of kind - great.

Have a look at the top of the dialogue and note the filter buttons.






Note how selecting the documents filter button => the prefix documents:





The last shows the filters from the drop-down, top right.

Note that Cortana search
- only searches indexed items (last I seriously tried it)
- will not- by design- find any executable files