searching for files by extension

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  • Start date Start date
S

SBS user

I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name section I
did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.
 
Hi, SBS user.

It works for me. (I'm sure you LOVE that kind of answer.)

You HAVE unchecked the box in Control Panel | Folder Options | View that
says the Hide extensions for known file types, haven't you. For my
computer, now running the Win7 beta, Search finds the .pst files even with
the extension hidden, but it's not obvious from the Results list that it is
a .pst file.

When I have problems with Search in the GUI, I revert to good ol' DOS (the
Command Prompt window in Vista, WinXP, Win7...). In the CP window, I type
something like:
Dir C:\*.pst /s/a

and wait a few seconds. The Dir command lists all the *.pst files in C:\.
The /s switch finds all the files in all subfolders, too, and the /a switch
lists All files, even the Hidden ones. So Dir /s/a searches all of C:; for
a big drive with lots of files and folders it may take a while, but if such
a file exists on that drive, this will find it. (Dir /? shows me all the
switches and parameters available with the Dir command.)

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8064.0206) in Win7 Ultimate x64 7000
 
SBS user said:
I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name section I
did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.
Click to expand...

Windows Logo Key+F will open search then click on *Advanced Search and tell
search *where/location* to search for your file. If you plan on wanting to
get back to that/those files on a regular basis then save the search with a
good name to your search folder, then when you want those files next week or
next month it want take any time.

H Brown
 
I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name section I
did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.
Click to expand...

Use the new syntax:

ext:pst

The syntax is covered here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/technicalresources/advquery.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/technicalresources/filetypes.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/choose/tipsandtricks.mspx
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/help/9f592ee9-b397-46d6-a607-47bdab5529ec1033.mspx
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/e49c345a-cf3d-4298-8614-fde32a76426d1033.mspx
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/1a6626fa-3cc7-45b4-a973-cc96373dc0d51033.mspx

Doug M. in NJ
 
When Search is to difficult to learn or to difficult to understand when
using advanced search in Vista, then from Control Panel, search "Folder
Options". Under Folder Options heading select "Change search options for
files and folders" in the dialog that opens on the "Search Tab" check the
box next to "Use natural language search" while your there change any other
search options you feel would make it easier for you to find your files or
folders. All the other stronger search parameters will still work as they
should after changing to natural language and advanced search is only two
key strokes away.
IMO natural language search should be set as the default search option for
the majority of users.

H Brown

H Brown
 
H said:
When Search is to difficult to learn or to difficult to understand when
using advanced search in Vista, then from Control Panel, search "Folder
Options". Under Folder Options heading select "Change search options for
files and folders" in the dialog that opens on the "Search Tab" check
the box next to "Use natural language search" while your there change
any other search options you feel would make it easier for you to find
your files or folders. All the other stronger search parameters will
still work as they should after changing to natural language and
advanced search is only two key strokes away.
IMO natural language search should be set as the default search option
for the majority of users.

H Brown
Click to expand...

LOL, you're posting to A+Babbling+Bob+Moron that can find the keys in
his pockets, and he hates Vista Search.
 
You are more than likely right about what you say. I do agree with you. But
I more or less understood that from the OP comments/question.
I do like Vistas search capabilities and as a mater of fact think its one
of the most powerful tools included in Vista.
Thanks for your comments MBUnit,
H Brown
 
You are more than likely right about what you say. I do agree with you. But
I more or less understood that from the OP comments/question.
I do like Vistas search capabilities and as a mater of fact think its one
of the most powerful tools included in Vista.
Thanks for your comments MBUnit,
H Brown
Click to expand...

Enjoy that non-standard, non-intutive, resource wasting, POS if you
like. The rest of us will get better performance and efficiency from a
better tool.
 
MBUnit said:
I like Vista's search too. The only problem I have with it is I can't
install version 4 of it as it comes back with something like "search is
not initializing" on the Start Search box and I had to roll back.
Click to expand...

MBUnit,
Windows Search 4.0 for Windows Vista was an automatic update for me,
I have all Vista defaults set for updating and installing of all up dates
other than Optional updates. If you also use auto update you may already
have
installed it.
To find out which version of Windows Search you’re running on Windows Vista
or Server 2008, you must look the information up in the Registry:
Open Regedit.
Expand the view to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows
Search\Current Version value.

The Version shown on my system is 4.00.6001. 16503 WS
See the information below I copied from my update history files for when it
was installed /etc.

Windows Search 4.0 for Windows Vista (KB940157)
Installation date: ‎11/‎23/‎2008 9:08 PM
Installation status: Successful
Update type: Recommended
Windows Search 4.0 helps you to find, preview, and use your documents,
e-mail, music, photos, and other items. On an upgrade from previous
versions, you will need to rebuild your index. After you install this item,
you may have to restart your computer.
More information:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940157
Help and Support:
http://support.microsoft.com

For more info on WS 4.0
4.0 Troubleshooting
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc771814.aspx

4.0 Administrator's Guide
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc772446.aspx

Here are a few add ins for Vistas Search that many folks have found useful.
http://gallery.live.com/default.aspx?pl=6

If you don't allow auto updating for Vista, please seriously conceder using
it.
MBUnit, thanks for your comments,

H Brown
 
MBUnit,
The date reference in my last tread concerning Windows Search 4.0 for
Windows Vista (KB940157) Installation date: ‎11/‎23/‎2008 9:08 PM, Don't let
that date for when it was in stalled on this machine concern you. I don't
know when the update for Windows Search 4.0 was first offered as an auto
update. It could have been as far back as June of 2008, I don't know.
Thought you should have this info for clarification.
H Brown
 
Who is the "rest of us"? You are talking out the side of your head and
kind of loony too.
Click to expand...

Go back to school little boy and get an education. Maybe then you will
be able to comprehend the written language.
 
Okay, but what if you want to search for 2 extensions at the same time?
E.G. .pst and .ost. What is the syntax for that?
 
Hi, SBS user.

Dir C:\*.?st /s/a

In "DOS" (and in the Command Prompt window), the "?" is a single-character
wildcard. So that command line will search for all files that have an
extension of .ast, bst, cst, 1st, #st, etc.

And, as I said:
I often forget to mention some of these "DOS" fundamentals because they have
been an integral part of my computer vocabulary with little or no change for
over 30 years, so I forget that not everybody knows them.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8064.0206) in Win7 Ultimate x64 7000
 
Is there a way to search for different file types at the same time? I know
in XP I could do a search like "*.pst, *.ppt" and get results for both pst
files and ppt files. This does not work in Vista. What is the proper
syntax for Vista?
 
*.p*


SBS user said:
Is there a way to search for different file types at the same time? I
know in XP I could do a search like "*.pst, *.ppt" and get results for
both pst files and ppt files. This does not work in Vista. What is the
proper syntax for Vista?
Click to expand...
 
Is there a way to search for different file types at the same time? I know
in XP I could do a search like "*.pst, *.ppt" and get results for both pst
files and ppt files. This does not work in Vista. What is the proper
syntax for Vista?
Click to expand...

ext:(pst OR ppt)

Doug M. in NJ
 
Is there a way to search for two thing at once with Vista. In XP I could
type:

*.pst,*.pfd

And it would return all pst's and all pdf's. When I do this in vista I get
nothing.
 
Is there a way to search for two thing at once with Vista. In XP I could
type:

*.pst,*.pfd

And it would return all pst's and all pdf's. When I do this in vista I get
nothing.
 
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