WinXP Search Can't Find

[windsurferLA]

Some photo/image program that I tried inserted into my My Pictures
directory numerous files and subdirectories all starting with the hash
symbol "#". I want to delete them. WinXP search seems unable to find
them both in the normal search and advanced search modes. Suggestions?

 

[Rock]

Some photo/image program that I tried inserted into my My Pictures
directory numerous files and subdirectories all starting with the hash
symbol "#". I want to delete them. WinXP search seems unable to find
them both in the normal search and advanced search modes. Suggestions?

One option is to delete them using wildcards and the del command. Go to
start | run, type cmd. Click ok. Type in del /? for a list of all
options in using the del command.

For searching one option is to try Agent Ransack which is free and does
a good job for searches:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/default.aspx

 

[windsurferLA]

Update... I have found a possible first step in solving the problem of
how to search for directories and files whose names start with the hash
or number symbol (#). In the advance search window, you can enter a
search that begins with the "escape" code merely by pressing the
"escape" key. Thus, when one enters a search by pressing the escape key
and then the numbers 3 and 5, one launches a search for files containing
ASCII symbol code 35 which is the "#" symbol. However, this does not
solve my problem because although the search returns files containing
the "#" symbol within the body of the file, it does not return
directories or files whose name begins with the "#" symbol.

Additional ideas are solicited as my harddrive still has well over a
hundred of these directories and files yet to be deleted.

WindsurferLA

 

[Kelly]

Precede searches for all or part of a filename with
@filename

Precede all word or phrase searches with the exclamation mark
!

!"word or phrase goes here"

@filename
or
#filename
or
!"word or phrase goes here"


followed by all or part of the filename you are looking for

and you must put it in the "A word or phrase in the file: input area

Wildcards * and/or ? are allowed:

xpsearch
xpsearch*
*xpsearch*
*xp?search*

http://xpsearch.info/xps-custom.htm

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

 

[windsurferLA]

To test the @filename approach suggested by Kelly, I created a directory
"#test." To my surprise, WinXP search found it immediately. I then
looked more carefully at the directories that I'm trying to get rid of.
The Icons for those directories are shown in a faded state; they have
the same appearance that an icon takes when after you indicate you are
going to "cut" the directory as part of a cut and paste operation.

In the FolderOptions\view, the "show hidden files and folders" is checked.

Any ideas on why these folders are not picked up by WinXP search?

WindsurferLA

 

[Kelly]

Also see: Hide protected operating system files.

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol: http://www.dts-l.org/

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com