Searching For Text In Windows Vista?

[Dr Adequate]

Well, this is annoying me. In my old version of Windows, I could search for files containing a given string of text. I can't figure out how to do this in Windows Vista. Am I missing something, or does it just suck?

Thanks.

[PixyMisa]

If you've indexed your drive, it searches content by default. But, being Microsoft, they've removed all the search options.

Once you've started a search, you'll get a Search Tools button. Click on that, and you can enable the Search Pane. From there, you can enable Advanced Search - which is still more limited than the XP search.

It is faster, though.

[GreNME]

Did you turn off indexing?

[El Greco]

A related question:

In one of my two PCs (both XP SP3), the indexing works. In the other, the Search utility is indefinitely "waiting to receive indexing status". I've tried some ideas I found through Google but they didn't help.

[Soapy Sam]

One prob with the Vista search function is that you need to tell it where to look before starting the search, as it defaults to searching in the stored records of earlier searches, which is as much use as a chocolate ablation shield.
Make sure it says C:\ (or whatever) in the box at the top RHS of the search window.

[negativ]

For Vista, I recommend installing Windows Search 4.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/940157

Thereafter, this might or might not be helpful:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/desktopsearch/technicalresources/advquery.mspx


I may be wrong (and someone please correct me if I am), but Vista's search doesn't seem to be very useful at all unless the indexing service is running. Once your drive(s) are indexed (which can take a while), things improve significantly.

[Ashles]

I thought I was missing something when I couldn't find the old, easy-to-use search functionality. But no, Microsoft obviously thought it was too easy to find what you were looking for in previous versions.

I don't care even if there is a great reason behind it - it's just annoying.

[Dr Adequate]

Did anyone explain to me how to do what I want to do?

Look, just assume that I'm an idiot, and that I have no idea what "indexing" means. Please explain it to me step by step.

[Wudang]

Have a look here http://www.vistaultimate.com/tweak-windows-vista-indexing.htm

What do you want to be able to search? E.g. word documents, spreadsheets, pdfs, email, all of the above? Based on the above I can help.
"STFU and just tell me how to make searches easier in the future in trade off for a slight slow-down of my PC?". Sure but I'm not on my Vista PC at the mo.

A good tutorial here
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/69581-indexing-options.html

[Wowbagger]

You're first mistake was installing Vista.

[Wudang]

On my Vista box now -
Start -> Control Panel -> Indexing Options
Click Modify then Show all locations

And then click all "are you crazy wanting to change the shining perfection of Vista" popups

[Dr Adequate]

Thanks, I'll check it out.

[arthwollipot]

You're first mistake was installing Vista.It's kinda hard to avoid given that it comes preinstalled on new computers. My new laptop had it preinstalled.