search syntax

  • Thread starter Thread starter Vista Newbie
  • Start date Start date
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Vista Newbie

In Windows XP (and all previous versions of Windows that I can recall going
back to Win95) one could search for multiple words separated by commas, e.g.
*.jpg,*.bmp.

How do I do that in Vista?
 
Using Boolean filters is another way to perform a more precise search.
Boolean filters let you combine search words using simple logic, as you can
see in the following table.

Filter
Example
Use this to

AND
tropical AND island
Find files that contain both words "tropical" and "island" (even if those
words are not right next to each other).

NOT
tropical NOT island
Find files that contain the word "tropical," but not "island."

OR
tropical OR island
Find files that contain either of the words "tropical" or "island."

Quotes
"tropical island"
Find files that contain the exact phrase "tropical island."

Parentheses
(tropical island)
Find files that contain both words "tropical" and "island," in any order.
date: >01/05/06
Find files that are more than or later than a certain value, such as after
01/05/06.

<
size: < 4 MB
Find files that are less than or earlier than a certain value, such as less
than 4 MB. You can also specify other sizes, such as KB and GB.



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Mark L. Ferguson MS-MVP
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Thanks. I am familiar with Boolean searches. I'd tried this and I must be
searching from the wrong place because when I search for "mp3", I get over
5000 entries. Vista stops at 5000 and requests a user instruction to
display all results. If I add an operator, e.g. mp3 AND m4a, I get zero
results. Searching shouldn't be that difficult and counter-intuitive.
 
Obviously, I'm just getting older... not smarter. I can't believe I was
using the "AND" operator. Thanks, Mark.
 
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