Windows 10: Wildcards in Searches Using File Explorer Windows 10

There must be some kind of enabling/setting thing that I have messed up. I have a folder with two files named FileA.dox and FileB.docx. I can do a search on this folder using the search string name:FIL* and get the two files returned. I can do a search on name:*Fil* and get the two files returned from the search. However, name:*il* does not find either file. What have I missed here? Thanks.

:)

 

Using Wildcard to search in windows Explorer

Hi Jerry,

To isolate your concern regarding Wildcard search on
Windows File Explorer, we suggest that you run an SFC
(System File Checker) tool to check for system file corruptions and fix it. Once done, restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

In addition, you can manage the search options to give you the most thorough search by following these steps:

• Click File tab on Windows File Explorer, click
  Change folder and search options.
  
  
• Click Search tab and select Don't use the index when searching in file folders for system files (search might take longer).
  
• You can also select Always search file names and contents (this might take several minutes).
  

Let us know if the solution above works for you.

 

File Explorer Search fails wildcard partial numeric name search.

The indexing trouble shooter did not find any problem.
System File Check result was: Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.
Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool Version: 10.0.10586.0 found No component store corruption detected.

I do not believe that my system has any problem as the wildcard partial numeric name search issue occurs on all Windows 10 systems of family and friends.
I believe the priority of this issue should be raised because the Search Results vary depending on the number of files involved creating confusion and incorrect results. With less than 40 files the wildcard partial numeric name search returns the correct
results. With more than 50 files the wildcard search becomes a whole number search only listing files that have the exact number. With *2345 in the search box and more than 50 files in focus, Search will Not list 123456.txt but will only list 2345.txt.
With less than 40 files in focus All files with any numeric string containing 2345 will be listed.

 

Windows 10 File Explorer Search Wildcard Characters Not Working

Dear Boulder_Man,

Thanks for your input, but as I posted, I managed to solve the problem in (unique to Windows 10?),
by turning the indexing option off, even though I'm not searching for system files. That forces it to search through the actual file directories, rather than some out of date index list.

Unfortunately, I am not allowed to mark my own answer as "Mark as Answer" or even "Helpful."

I'm not sure which version of Windows you are using, but there definitely is a field specifier,
"name:" I use it quite often. It searches the filename field, which appears to have been renamed 'Name' in Windows 10 (possibly an earlier version). See the first field in the image above.

BTW, I tested your tilde suggestion, but it didn't work. From earlier Windows Search releases, the tilde (undocumented) seems to ensure that wildcard characters, such as asterisks, are treated as wildcards and not actual characters. But that actually isn't
my problem, as the index list is incomplete, hence the files are not found.

If you do 'upgrade' to Windows 10, do note that a number of things are still a bit wonky. And I would recommend staying away from Windows 10
Home, unless you want Microsoft to periodically seize your laptop and force a re-boot when it sees fit!

Kind regards,