How can I search for a ( in the filename only?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Saucer Man
  • Start date Start date
S

Saucer Man

I am trying to find all filenames with a ( in a certain folder. Vista is
returning to me all files with a ( in any attribute. How do I do what would
seem to be this simple task?
 
Saucer said:
I am trying to find all filenames with a ( in a certain folder. Vista is
returning to me all files with a ( in any attribute. How do I do what would
seem to be this simple task?
Click to expand...

Do mean you can point search to the folder and search it?
 
I am trying to find all filenames with a ( in a certain folder. Vista is
returning to me all files with a ( in any attribute. How do I do what would
seem to be this simple task?
Click to expand...

Actually, it's not so simple because Windows Search is now word-based, not
character-based.

However, this syntax works for me:

name:~"*(*"

The name property restricts the search to file names. The tilde character
tells search to treat the asterisk characters as wild cards, even though
they are within quotes. This technique allows character searches in file
names, but often fails with content searches.

Doug M. in NJ
 
Retroman said:
Actually, it's not so simple because Windows Search is now word-based, not
character-based.

However, this syntax works for me:

name:~"*(*"

The name property restricts the search to file names. The tilde character
tells search to treat the asterisk characters as wild cards, even though
they are within quotes. This technique allows character searches in file
names, but often fails with content searches.

Doug M. in NJ
Click to expand...


Doug, this is working. Too bad I just can't put a ( in the search field.
Thanks.
 
Doug, this is working. Too bad I just can't put a ( in the search field.
Thanks.
Click to expand...

I learned about Ransack Agent in this NG. I don't like it all that much
myself, but I have used it when I can't figure out the arcane syntax of
Vista's search.

I haven't tried AR on your problem, but someone had a problem finding the
colon character in the text of a file, and RA made it pretty easy. BTW, I
did manage to learn to make Vista Search find the same files.

I will now try to keep in mind Retroman's advice about "name:" - very
useful. Also, MS has a help page on search on their site,

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pr...search/technicalresources/advquery.mspx#EEHAE

Or: http://tinyurl.com/dk2ac5
 
Gene E. Bloch said:
I learned about Ransack Agent in this NG. I don't like it all that much
myself, but I have used it when I can't figure out the arcane syntax of
Vista's search.

I haven't tried AR on your problem, but someone had a problem finding the
colon character in the text of a file, and RA made it pretty easy. BTW, I
did manage to learn to make Vista Search find the same files.

I will now try to keep in mind Retroman's advice about "name:" - very
useful. Also, MS has a help page on search on their site,

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pr...search/technicalresources/advquery.mspx#EEHAE

Or: http://tinyurl.com/dk2ac5
Click to expand...


Thanks for that link Gene.
 
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