Windows 10 Search Inside Files

By default if you search something in windows computer, it searches matching your query against the file names. It never cares to look what is written inside the file. As in this way the indexes which windows system have to store is of least size, Microsoft has kept this searching option as default. But, what if you do not remember the name of the file, but remember something from inside file’s text. If you want to search required file by text inside file, you have to do a simple tweak in indexing options. Please follow described steps given below to customize Windows 10 to search inside files for text.

Sep 24, 2019  Windows 10 - How to search an exact phrase in file contents? For example, type 'search windows' 'search windows' to get all the files containing the phrase search windows. Typing 'search windows' will only give you all the files containing search or windows. If you have other questions, feel free to reach out. Dec 18, 2015  But, what if you do not remember the name of the file, but remember something from inside file’s text. If you want to search required file by text inside file, you have to do a simple tweak in indexing options. Please follow described steps given below. Feb 25, 2017  This video will show you how you can easily search text or contents in any files in Windows 10. By default windows enable searching for file & folders only. → My Microphone - https://amzn.to/2xohZXW.

Jun 12, 2019  There's a hidden feature in Windows 10 that lets you quickly and easily search the contents of files, instead of just searching for filenames. But what about searching for text inside of.html,.php,.js, and other text-based web and scripting files? Windows search allows you to include other file extensions in its index with a few simple clicks. This technique works in Windows 10, 8, 7, or even Vista. With Windows 10, many options and settings have been moved around or changed entirely. If you’d like Windows’ search to examine the contents of files, as well as the names, here’s how to do.

Read:Windows 10 Advanced search tricks

Step 1 – Search indexing options in the search box of taskbar. Click on Indexing Options which appears as a search result.

Step 2 – In indexing options window, click on Advanced as shown below.

Step 3 – Now in the advanced options window, select file types tab. Then , select index properties and file contents below how should this file be indexed? as shown in screenshot given below.

Once you click ok, a message saying rebuild has started will be shown to you.

Confirm this and the rebuiilding the index process will start running in the background. It may take several hours to few days depending upon the size of the files on your PC. You can shutdown or reboot and the process will start from where it left. You can search normally and can perform all the windows PC functions normally without any trouble. The windows search will function based on the last rebuild, that means the last settings in indexing options. Once this rebuild process gets completed, your searches will automatically be based on new settings. That means you will be able to search inside files for chunks of texts or words.

Search

Saurav is associated with IT industry and computers for more than a decade and is writing on The Geek Page on topics revolving on windows 10 and softwares.

Recommended for You:

Many of us rely on Windows Search to find files and launch programs, but searching for text within files is limited to specific file types by default. Here’s how you can expand your search to include other text-based files.

We have shown you some advanced search operators using Windows Search before and even how to change which files are indexed and how to rebuild your search index. But what about searching for text inside of .html, .php, .js, and other text-based web and scripting files? Windows search allows you to include other file extensions in its index with a few simple clicks.

This technique works in Windows 10, 8, 7, or even Vista. The screens might look a little different, but it’s the same basic process on all versions.

Hit Start, type “index,” and then click the “Indexing Options” result.

In the “Indexing Options” window, click the “Advanced” button.

In the “Advanced Options” window, switch to the “File Types” tab. Select the extension for the file type you would like to include in content searches, and then select the “Index Properties and File Contents” option under the list. The text in the “Filter Description” column should change to reflect whatever filter is used to open that file type by default. In our example, we’re selecting the BAT extension, so the filter type changes to “Plain Text Filter.”

Search

If you don’t find file type you’re looking for on the list, it means no app is set as the default handler for that file type. To add the file type, type the extension in the “Add New Extension to List” box and then click the “Add” button. By default, Windows Search will use a plain text filter to search the contents of those types of files, since another app is not associated.

After the index is rebuilt, searching for text inside one of the new file types should now show results.

If you’d like to always search within file contents for a specific folder, navigate to that folder in File Explorer and open the “Folder and Search Options.”

On the “Search” tab, select the “Always search file names and contents” option.

After the index rebuilds, searches in that folder will automatically include file contents.

READ NEXT

Windows 10 Search Inside Zip Files

Search

Windows 10 Searching Inside Files

  • › How to Use Text Editing Gestures on Your iPhone and iPad
  • › Windows 10’s BitLocker Encryption No Longer Trusts Your SSD
  • › How to Disable or Enable Tap to Click on a PC’s Touchpad
  • › How HTTP/3 and QUIC Will Speed Up Your Web Browsing
  • › Motherboards Explained: What Are ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX?