Advanced Search

How to Use Advanced Search Options in Vista

information   Information
Advanced Search allows you to do a customized search. This will show you how to open and use the Advanced Search Options in Vista including search tips.


This is a good choice for searches whenever you:
  • Don't know where a file or folder is located, and want to look in many locations at once.
  • Want your search results to include files from several folders at once.
  • Want to create an advanced search that looks for files using several different criteria.
Note   Note
By default, the Search folder searches in a set of locations called Indexed Locations. This includes all of the folders in your personal folder (which includes Documents, Pictures, Music, Desktop, and other common locations), e‑mail, and offline files. You can add additional locations to be included in the Indexed Locations if you commonly store files in different locations.

EXAMPLE: Advanced Search Window
Advanced_Search_Example.jpg



Here's How:
1. Press the Windows Key + F.
NOTE: This will open the Advanced Search window from anywhere in Vista.
2. Click on the drop down arrow by Advanced Search. (See screenshot below step 11)​
3. Select Search Results to be Displayed -
NOTE: This is the Show only section.​
A) Select what type of item you want to only see in the search results. (See screenshot below step 11)​
NOTE: This will be only All items, E-mail messages, Documents, Pictures, Music, or Other (All items except E-mail, Documents, Pictures, and Music).​

4. Select a Location to Search -
NOTE: This will allow you to select any location to search in for the file.​
A) Click on the drop down arrow to the right of Location. (See screenshot below step 11)​
B) Select the search location.​

5. To Narrow the Search by Date -
NOTE: You can narrow the search to any time before or after the date you specify.
A) Click on Date and choose to search by either the Date, Date Modifed, or Date Created for the file. (See screenshot below step 11)​
B) To the right of Date, click on any. Select to search for any date or when a date is, is before, or is after a the date you specify in the field to the right.​
C) Select a specific date.​
NOTE: This will be grayed out for any in step 3B since you will not be narrowing the search by date.

6. To Narrow the Search by Size -
NOTE: You can look for files larger or smaller than the specified size.​
A) Next to Size (KB), select to search for any size or for a size that equals, is less than, or is greater than the size you specify in the box to the right. (See screenshot below step 11)​
B) Type in a file size number for KB.​

7. To Do a Thorough Search -
NOTE: By default Advanced Search only searches the Indexed files. This will allow you to search all files. See: How to Use the Indexing Options in Vista
A) Check the Include non-indexed, hidden, and system files box. (See screenshot below step 11)​

8. To Narrow the Search with a File Name -
NOTE: Type part or all of the file name you are looking for.
A) In the Name field, type in a file name to search for. (See screenshot below step 11)​

9. To Narrow the Search by Tags -
NOTE: Type any tag, words or phrases you add to your files to describe them, to see a list of files to which that tag has been applied.​
A) In the Tags field, type in a tag to search for. (See screenshot below step 11)​

10. To Narrow the Search by Authors -
NOTE: The would be the name of the person who created the file.​
A) In the Authors field, type in a author to search for. (See screenshot below step 11)​

11. Click on the Search button when ready to start the search. (See screenshot below)​
Advanced_Search.jpg

That's it,
Shawn


 

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Updated 2-20-2008 to include more detailed instructions.

Shawn
 

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System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
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    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
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    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
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    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
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    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
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    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
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    2560x1440
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    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
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    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
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  • Operating System
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    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
I know this is slightly off topic, but I'm hoping to get this one thing straight: since Vista uses an indexed search process, it does not search unindexed locations? Sounds good on paper... My problem is that when searching a DVD drive from the folder's search box I get no results returned even though many files with this name are on the drive, even though a <windows> - F search will return resuts.

Hmm, maybe I need to include the DVD in the index? No, there is no option to do this in "Indexing Options".

So, the search box only searches indexed locations?
 

My Computer

Hi Geez,

By default Vista uses the Index for all searches. This will only give you search results from what is included/listed in the Index. External devices cannot be included in the Index though.

However, you can specify Vista to do a non-indexed search so that it will search everything instead of just what is listed in the Index. You can do this through Advanced Search (step 7) here, or adjust your Search settings for all searches here:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/75447-search-options.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
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    Corsair Hydro H115i
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    Logitech wireless K800
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    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Is they a way to always keep the index hidden files, system files etc always checked without manually having to do it? same with the location?
 

My Computer

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
hi shawn, is there a way to have the "include non indexed...." box checked by default on any search? (without having to click it manually)

cause seems i'm using it 99.9% of the time. (and seems more like xp in that way...which i prefer)
 

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Hi Bleeping Crazy,

You could disable the index completely to have Vista always use a non-indexed search, and change the Search options to help fine tune it more. It will not check the box, but Vista would be using a non-indexed search anyways.

Hope this helps,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
My Vista always let me use my search and it would find any word on the computer (whether in a document or document name, etc.) Love it. I installed SP2 yesterday and when I use search...no matter what I put into it...I get nothing at all. HELP!
 

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Hello Ralepertygal, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Have you already set your Search options for how you want your search results afterwards? Installing the SP2 can reset everything back to default.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
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    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
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    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
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    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
Yeah I tried that just now but no matter what I set things at it tells me no items match your search. It just isn't actually searching for anything anywhere I don't think. SO Weird?
 
Last edited:

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Something may have gotten corrupted during installation. You might see if running a sfc /scannow command may help, but you may need to do a clean reinstall. :(
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
    Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    Seasonic Prime Titanium 850W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
  • Operating System
    Windows 10 Pro
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy Y0F94AV
    CPU
    i7-7500U @ 2.70 GHz
    Memory
    16 GB DDR4-2133
    Graphics card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce 940MX
    Sound Card
    Conexant ISST Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17.3" UHD IPS touch
    Screen Resolution
    3480 x 2160
    Hard Drives
    512 GB M.2 SSD
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