Windows Explorer Search utility

  • Thread starter Thread starter Miller Hughes
  • Start date Start date
M

Miller Hughes

The Search utility is not working for certain file
extensions even though I search for files *.* in a
directory. An example is I created a .txt file with the
word 'Match' in it. I run Search looking for 'Match' and
the file is found. I change the extension on the file
to .sql, run the same Search and no files are found.

I'm running Windows XP professional, Version 2002 Service
Pack 1.
 
| "Miller Hughes"
http://www.microsoft.com/communities/privacy.mspx
| wrote in message | The Search utility is not working for certain file
| extensions even though I search for files *.* in a
| directory. An example is I created a .txt file with the
| word 'Match' in it. I run Search looking for 'Match' and
| the file is found. I change the extension on the file
| to .sql, run the same Search and no files are found.
|
| I'm running Windows XP professional, Version 2002 Service
| Pack 1.

The file extension SQL does not have a filter component
registered. Since these files are basically plain text files you
can use the text filter provider for the file type.

One way to do this is to manually edit the registry.
Specifically, add a PersistentHandler key under the file
type key in:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.sql

Then set its (Default) string value name to the following value:

{5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}

For more information see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base
article:

KB309173 - Using the "A Word or Phrase in the File" Search
Criterion May Not Work
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?Product=winxp&scid=kb;en-us;309173

And for an example find and look at the file extension .txt found

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.txt

WARNING: Changing or deleting registry entries may cause
serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating
system. Before you run the Registry Editor I recommend that you
understand how to backup, edit and restore the registry.

In particular, I suggest that you read the following KB322756
article section titled "Export Registry Keys" and then, before
you edit the registry export the keys that you plan to edit. For
more information see the following Microsoft Knowledge Base
Article.

KB322756 - HOW TO: Back Up, Edit, and Restore the
Registry in Windows XP and Windows Server
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?Product=winxp&scid=kb;en-us;322756

Windows Registry Guide - Windows Registry FAQ
http://www.winguides.com/article.php?id=1&guide=registry
 
Hi Miller,
Follow this advice and create a PersistentHandler for that filetype (.SQL). Use {5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}, if and only if it is a plain-text file.

Windows® XP - Search Problems - Containing Text:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_bad_search.htm

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k

Windows 2000 Group Policy Registry Table:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/techinfo/reskit/en-us/gp/gpref.asp

The Search utility is not working for certain file
extensions even though I search for files *.* in a
directory. An example is I created a .txt file with the
word 'Match' in it. I run Search looking for 'Match' and
the file is found. I change the extension on the file
to .sql, run the same Search and no files are found.

I'm running Windows XP professional, Version 2002 Service
Pack 1.
 
The file extension change was just an example to show that
I know for certain the string does exist in a file. I am
normally changing file extensions. I need to search
through hundreds of SQL files in many subdirectories to
look for variable names and I can't find the strings using
Windows XP
-----Original Message-----
Changing a file extension can make a file unstable.

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp


Miller Hughes said:
The Search utility is not working for certain file
extensions even though I search for files *.* in a
directory. An example is I created a .txt file with the
word 'Match' in it. I run Search looking for 'Match' and
the file is found. I change the extension on the file
to .sql, run the same Search and no files are found.

I'm running Windows XP professional, Version 2002 Service
Pack 1.
Click to expand...


.
Click to expand...
 
Try using Agent Ransack as a replacement for the XP search feature
(http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/default.aspx). It's free and I've
been using it for a couple of years after I became frustrated with the XP
search capabilities. Agent Ransack works well and I tried your experiement
(making a file with the .sql extension which contained a search string I
made up) Going through the XP routine, the file could not be found. Using
Agent Ransack the file was correctly listed.
 
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