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Vista - Finding multiple file extensions

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Old 09-25-2007   #1 (permalink)
Fimble


 
 

Finding multiple file extensions

I'm using Vista and am unable to figure out how to find a set of files that
have certain file extensions. In XP, I would search a folder and type:

*.exe;*.txt;*.whatever

to find all files with those extensions in a folder. How do I do this in
Vista?

Thanks for the help!

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 09-25-2007   #2 (permalink)
Dave Wood [MS]


 
 

Re: Finding multiple file extensions

You are looking for files that are either .exe, or .txt etc? Use the OR
keyword {in capitals} to search for files matching any one term in the
search box:

*.exe OR *.txt OR *.whatever


"Fimble" <Fimble@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:9F2AC41A-464E-4E88-A80B-B141420AF1BD@xxxxxx
Quote:

> I'm using Vista and am unable to figure out how to find a set of files
> that
> have certain file extensions. In XP, I would search a folder and type:
>
> *.exe;*.txt;*.whatever
>
> to find all files with those extensions in a folder. How do I do this in
> Vista?
>
> Thanks for the help!
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 09-25-2007   #3 (permalink)
Fimble


 
 

Re: Finding multiple file extensions

Thanks!

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 03-13-2008   #4 (permalink)
KeithHoward


 
 

Re: Finding multiple file extensions


When you search for *.xls, you also get *.xlsx files. This is not the
end of the world, because you can sort by the Type column and easily
view a list of all *.xls files. However, if you have hundreds of
thousands of both, it would be helpful just to see the *.xls files.

Is this possible?


--
KeithHoward
Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 03-13-2008   #5 (permalink)
Keith Miller \(MVP\)


 
 

Re: Finding multiple file extensions

in the Search box, use:

="*.xls"

--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]



"KeithHoward" <KeithHoward.367tc7@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in
message news:KeithHoward.367tc7@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...
Quote:

>
> When you search for *.xls, you also get *.xlsx files. This is not the
> end of the world, because you can sort by the Type column and easily
> view a list of all *.xls files. However, if you have hundreds of
> thousands of both, it would be helpful just to see the *.xls files.
>
> Is this possible?
>
>
> --
> KeithHoward
> Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com
>
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 03-13-2008   #6 (permalink)
KeithHoward


 
 

Re: Finding multiple file extensions


Keith Miller \(MVP\);729038 Wrote:
Quote:

> in the Search box, use:
>
> ="*.xls"
>
> --
> Good Luck,
>
> Keith
> Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
>
>
>
> "KeithHoward" <KeithHoward.367tc7@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in
> message news:KeithHoward.367tc7@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...
Quote:

> >
> > When you search for *.xls, you also get *.xlsx files. This is not the
> > end of the world, because you can sort by the Type column and easily
> > view a list of all *.xls files. However, if you have hundreds of
> > thousands of both, it would be helpful just to see the *.xls files.
> >
> > Is this possible?
> >
> >
> > --
> > KeithHoward
> > Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com
> >
Sweet. Thank you Keith.

- Keith

P.S. Is there a documentation link on these neat little tricks like =
and OR? All the best.


--
KeithHoward
Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 03-13-2008   #7 (permalink)
Malke


 
 

Re: Finding multiple file extensions

KeithHoward wrote:

Quote:

>
> P.S. Is there a documentation link on these neat little tricks like =
> and OR? All the best.
>
>
Take your choice:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...=Google+Search

The magic word is "Boolean".

Malke
--
MS-MVP
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
Don't Panic!
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 03-13-2008   #8 (permalink)
KeithHoward


 
 

Re: Finding multiple file extensions


Malke;729598 Wrote:
Quote:

> KeithHoward wrote:
>
>
Quote:

> >
> > P.S. Is there a documentation link on these neat little tricks like =
> > and OR? All the best.
> >
> >
>
> Take your choice:
> 'boolean search - Google Search' (http://tinyurl.com/yvyfjk)
>
> The magic word is "Boolean".
>
> Malke
> --
> MS-MVP
> Elephant Boy Computers
> 'index' (http://www.elephantboycomputers.com)
> Don't Panic!
Thanks. On some of those links, it was not immediately clear that those
boolean operators work in Windows Explorer searching, but I'll
experiment. Also, is = really a boolean operator? Anyway, I'll start
with AND, OR, and NOT. Regards, Keith


--
KeithHoward
Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com

My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 03-13-2008   #9 (permalink)
Keith Miller \(MVP\)


 
 

Re: Finding multiple file extensions

Here are some:

http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb266512.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/des.../advanced.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro.../advquery.mspx

Lots of repetition among the three articles. But not much about '=' and
more importantly, '~'

If you were searching for filenames with parentheses in the name, the
following don't give accurate results:

name:"*(*)*"
name:="*(*)*"

you need to use:

name:~"*(*)*"



--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]



"KeithHoward" <KeithHoward.368a06@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in
message news:KeithHoward.368a06@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...
Quote:

>
> Keith Miller \(MVP\);729038 Wrote:
Quote:

>> in the Search box, use:
>>
>> ="*.xls"
>>
>> --
>> Good Luck,
>>
>> Keith
>> Microsoft MVP [Windows Shell/User]
>>
>>
>>
>> "KeithHoward" <KeithHoward.367tc7@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in
>> message news:KeithHoward.367tc7@xxxxxx-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...
Quote:

>> >
>> > When you search for *.xls, you also get *.xlsx files. This is not the
>> > end of the world, because you can sort by the Type column and easily
>> > view a list of all *.xls files. However, if you have hundreds of
>> > thousands of both, it would be helpful just to see the *.xls files.
>> >
>> > Is this possible?
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > KeithHoward
>> > Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com
>> >
> Sweet. Thank you Keith.
>
> - Keith
>
> P.S. Is there a documentation link on these neat little tricks like =
> and OR? All the best.
>
>
> --
> KeithHoward
> Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com
>
My System SpecsSystem Spec
Old 03-15-2008   #10 (permalink)
KeithHoward


 
 

Re: Finding multiple file extensions


Keith,

Yet again you've come through. Thank you, especially for the morsel on
use of ~.

Kind regards,

London Keith


--
KeithHoward
Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com

My System SpecsSystem Spec
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