Windows 10: Windows Search is not indexing file contents and is continually pausing -- any solutions?

I'm now having two problems with Windows Search. The newer problem, which is why I created this post, is that Search is no longer returning files whose contents have the search term -- it's just returning the files where the term is in the file properties. To test this, i searched a folder that contains files I know will have the search term, in some cases in the properties, but in many more files in the contents; the files where the contents will have the term include Acrobat pdf files, Office doc/docx files, and WordPerfect wpd files; but the only files that were returned by search w

:)

 

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.

 

Search contents of files with dynamic extensions

Hello,

Let me preface this by saying that I do not have administrator rights to the machine I'm asking about. I will need to get IT Support to actually fix this for me, but they sort of looked at me with their eyes glazed over when I tried to explain it to them. So, I figured I'd see if anyone here can give me some step-by-step instructions that I can provide to the folks with the password so that we can get this working.

We have systems that pass information back and forth via xml. Periodically, I have to find a certain file, and the information that I have is never part of the file name. The folders in question have "Allow files in this folder to have contents indexed in addition to file properties" checked, and the files within the folders have "Allow this file to have contents indexed in addition to file properties" checked. The folders are on a network share, and System has Full Control.

When I search for something that I know is in the contents of a file, nothing is found. I believe this has to do with the way windows searches various file types. I know that this is configurable in the Indexing Options (which I don't have access to), but here is the part I don't know how to handle.

When the systems exchange the xml files, they append a number to it. Unfortunately, it's appended to the file extension. Here's an example of what the files look like in one of the folders:






(hopefully that image is bigger in the post than it is in the compose window. can't figure out how to resize it.)

The file extensions are things like:

XML_4501316
XML_4504951
XML_4624566

It would be impossible to add every file extension to the Indexing Options list. So, my question is, does anyone know a way that Windows 10 can be configured so that I can search the contents of these files? And can it be done in one fell swoop by the IT Support group such that it works after that? (i.e. a solution that requires me to change a setting before I search every time won't work.)

If it matters; Win10Pro, 64 bit (I think they're all 64, but just in case).

Thanks to anyone who has a suggestion. I would love a solution that doesn't require me to open hundreds of files to ctrl + f in them.

Mike

 

Windows 10 won't search file contents

Which version of Windows 10 are you're using?

Someone gave me these steps to follow. Maybe they'll work for you.

1. Check if the Windows search service is enabled.

- Press Windows key and ‘R’ Key together and then type services.msc.

- Look for Windows search service and right click on it and start the service if the service is disabled.

2. Run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.

Open Settings and navigate to Update and Security >> Troubleshoot and run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.

3. Rebuild Indexing Options.

• Type Indexing Options in search box and open it.
  
• Click on Advanced tab.
  
• Select the Rebuild button
  

Note- Once the Rebuild Indexing option is complete, make sure you index all the files again.

Steps to index files-

• Type Indexing Options in the search box and open it.
  
• Select Modify button and select Offline Files and Windows (C
  
• Click on OK.