Windows 7 search does not return results from indexed folders

desktop-searchwindows 7windows-search

I am experiencing this issue over and over again and I just cannot seem to find the answer. It doesn't make sense, but search simply does not return results from folders that certainly have these files inside. It's weird that this technology exists for more than 5 years now (it could be added to Windows XP as an addon), and they still haven't got it right.

My folder contains 10 image files with .png extensions. Two scenarios:

  1. Scenario 1: I exclude the folder using Indexing options. Search works.

  2. Scenario 2: I turn on indexing for this folder. Search does not work.

Of course, Agent Ransack returns results every time. When I check Advanced options for the Indexing options inside control panel, .png files are checked in the File Types tab, using the "File Properties filter".

What's the deal with this?

[Edit]

To clarify, this doesn't happen with all folders, but does with more than one. For the "problematic" folders, even *.* doesn't return a single result. I found some advice to clear the archive and readonly attributes for all files (doesn't make sense, but hey), but it didn't work.

Indexing status in Control panel is: Indexing complete. 100,000 items indexed. Folder is included in the list. File types list contains the .png extension (although it doesn't work with any filter, not even *.*).

Best Answer

Are you giving the indexing service time to index the files? This can take time. If you enable indexing and it doesn't work immediately, that seems like a sign to me that files are not yet put into the index. Search is searching the index, not finding the files, then thinking they don't exist.

When you turn off indexing, search is iterating through the folder and thus finding the files.

After you enable indexing, give your computer some time to index all your files. You can see progress in the "Indexing Options" dialog (search in Start for it).

If you still have problems:

  1. Open "Indexing Options"
  2. Ensure folder, or parent folder is listed there (and not excluded)
  3. Click Advanced.
  4. Approve UAC
  5. Under File Types tab, make sure the file extensions you want are selected.
  6. Back under Index Settings tab, look under troubleshooting, select "rebuild" and approve.
  7. Give the computer time to index. If you use the computer, Windows automatically slows down indexing so let it run overnight. The more files you have, the longer it will take.
  8. Try again and let me know if you're still having problems.
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