Windows 10: Why is Windows 10 Search such unmitigated trash?

Don't forget about the Filters > Folders ... After I indexed my D: drive, I couldn't figure out why it wasn't finding anything on it, until I realized I had to choose the Folder Filter ... lol

Note: You can also do .... folders: search term

 

Actually that 'Indexing Options' was introduced in Windows 7 and can be found (and used) exactly as you describe.

SevenForums | Windows 7: Index Locations - Add or Remove

 

As hiphopper explained, Windows search works just fine for me on 2 desktops and 1 Laptop. In fact I've never had any issues with the native Win search since upgrading. No need for 3rd party search apps for me.

 

I’ve noticed instances where it can’t find things but I rarely use it cause I know where my data is.

 

So now its at 420,000 items indexed and still does not find applications in the start menu. The filter setting is set to "all" btw.

Handily finds any music, searches includes metadata identifiers as well. Humm... Result is the same wether or not "My Device History" is switched on or off.

 

I'm not sure this is an Indexing problem.

I have Indexing disabled in W7 and it will still find Files, Folders and Programs.
It will also find items based on their Properties (e.g. Author, Title, etc.).

However it occasionally behaves the way the OP describes in the first post (i.e. you can be looking at a file that Windows can't find, even if you search the location it's in).

Note:
I never search for content inside of files.

 

Try Ransack. It searches inside documents as well as folder names etc. and is lightening fast.

 

I never search, I know where all my stuff is.
It's a friggin mess, but I know where it is!!! *really

 

IVO is not maintaining it anymore but it still can be downloaded from here and it works great. It can be found here:

Classic Shell download | SourceForge.net

 

Lol, one of these days I’m going to clean house, one directory at a time.

 

That's not helpful at all, lol.

I know where my stuff is too, but scrolling through the start menu, clicking again to open a folder and then clicking again to open an application is not fast enough and makes the OS feel clunky and slow compared to W7 and previous where you can just type an application name in the search box and 3 letters later its already open

 

The toolbar search field is supposed to help there. Unfortunately it's (IMHO) a confused mess and not configurable, combining start menu, file and internet search.

That said, if I type, e.g. Paint I see (I'm actually using Windows key + S to start the search)



If I type Aimersoft (I have several programs installed by them) I see



If I refine that by clicking on Apps to focus the results I see




However, If I use Classic Shell, the results are- well- better.

 

I have this Privacy setting turned on...





...things I use often now appear as the top search result after typing one or two letters. A single 'S' get's me the Snipping Tool immediately, for example.

 

Does Indexing Options include the Start Menu?