Windows 10: Unable to Search File Contents

Hello,On my Windows 10 PC, I indexed a folder on my hard drive and changed the Search settings to search for the file contents. But when I do a test I am unable to search for words in text files. Screenshots attached. Please advise. Thank you in advance.

:)

 

Search Content of MHT files

Hi David,

Most probably, this is a problem with the search and indexing of your Windows 10 computer. For us to provide the best resolution possible, we would like to clarify the following:

• Are you trying to search the content of MHT files using Cortana?
• Have you tried searching it using the File Explorer?
• Are you using a third-party app to search for the content of MHT files?

As an initial troubleshooting step, we suggest that you run the troubleshooter for search and indexing. To run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter, follow these steps:

• Click the Start button and select the Settings
  icon.
• Choose Update & Security from the list.
• Click Troubleshoot in the left pane of the window.
• Under Find and fix other problems.
• Select Search and Indexing and click Run the troubleshooter.

We'll keep an eye out for your response.

 

Windows Explorer not searching docx file contents

Hi all,

Recently Windows Explorer stopped finding .docx files when I search for a specific word. I know that these files contain the words that I am searching for, and I have tried lots of things:

• "Search in file contents" is enabled
  
• .docx files are set to have names and contents indexed
  
• I've tried rebuilding the index
  
• I tested the search on other file types, and it returns results for seemingly everything except .docx files
  
• I tried upgrading to Windows 11 to see if this would fix the issue, but it did not
  

I would really appreciate any suggestions, as being able to search file contents is very important for my studies.

 

File Explorer won't search contents of files - Windows 10 Anniversary


Hi, have you checked the files are actually selected in Indexing Options? I.e. the folders containing them are indexed?

This is the clue:

• If you're still unable to search file contents, try:

1. Open Windows Explorer
2. Right-click the folder you want to search, e.g. My Documents
3. Click: Properties
4. On the General tab, Click: Advanced
5. On the Advanced Attributes dialog, select:
   
   [x] Allow files in this folder to have contents indexed in addition to file properties
6. Click: OK
7. Click: OK

• You may also add additional folders to the list of indexed locations.
• After updating your indexing options, you may have to wait some time before your results will appear as expected, as Windows must rebuild its index with the contents of the new files.

Personally I avoid explorer search as far as possible, and use
Locate32
Utrasearch does the same job, with a modern GUI, better than Everything.
However, these don't index content.
Locate32 adds a file content search for some types.