How to clear search history?

How can I clear the contents of Search folders (i.e. the folders in
\Users\[myName]\Search)? I find if I delete an entry in any one of
these folders, not only do I delete the shortcut, but I also delete the
file that the shortcut points to (if the drive with the file is still
attached to my computer). A truly unpleasant surprise!

What are those Search folders doing there anyway? Is there some good
use you can make of them?


--
chaikenj

"chaikenj" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> How can I clear the contents of Search folders (i.e. the folders in
> \Users\[myName]\Search)? I find if I delete an entry in any one of
> these folders, not only do I delete the shortcut, but I also delete the
> file that the shortcut points to (if the drive with the file is still
> attached to my computer). A truly unpleasant surprise!
>
> What are those Search folders doing there anyway? Is there some good
> use you can make of them?


They are basically virtual folders, containing files that fit the
parameters, wherever they are on the system. During the beta stages,
virtual folders were a much more prominent part of the new explorer
interface. I think they chose to not use them so much as it would confuse a
lot of users.

ss.

Hi chaikenj,

There’s a good use to the Search folder.

A Search folder automatically updates its contents. This is useful if the
user wants help to save time and help organize folders and files that are
continuously updated but scattered in the Users’ folders and need to be found
on a regular basis.

For example if two users were working on the same project, a Search folder
can be created called something like, “Big Project.� At the end of the week,
if one or both of them wanted to put all of the project files into one big
folder or onto a CD, then one of the users just goes to Big Project Search
folder to have access to all the files and folders that were created or
edited that week for the big project.


The downside: as you’ve discovered, deleting the contents of the Search
folders deletes the actual folder or file. Search folders can’t be edited but
one can delete the Search folder and create a new Search folder using the
Advanced Search and the Save Search features.

--
oscar

....Right click is your very good friend...


"chaikenj" wrote:

>
> How can I clear the contents of Search folders (i.e. the folders in
> \Users\[myName]\Search)? I find if I delete an entry in any one of
> these folders, not only do I delete the shortcut, but I also delete the
> file that the shortcut points to (if the drive with the file is still
> attached to my computer). A truly unpleasant surprise!
>
> What are those Search folders doing there anyway? Is there some good
> use you can make of them?
>
>
> --
> chaikenj
>

How do I navigate to the advanced search and save search features? If I
delete a Search folder and create a new folder with the same name, will
it be empty at that point?

I need to clear the Search folders since the guy who was hired for
technical support here is very nosy.


--
chaikenj

Now I see that the search-folders are not actually folders but files.
If I delete one of these, will the files that had shortcuts in th
search-folder still remain on my computer? Will the system re-create a
empty search-folder with the same name

The search-folders "Everywhere" and "Indexed Locations" have attribute
"read-only" and "hidden". Will I run into troubles if I change th
attributes and delete these

--
chaikenj

On Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:32:21 -0500, chaikenj <> wrote:

>How do I navigate to the advanced search and save search features? If I
>delete a Search folder and create a new folder with the same name, will
>it be empty at that point?

chaikenj,

To create a new saved search, you must first run a query. Then click the Save Search
button in Explorer.

>I need to clear the Search folders since the guy who was hired for
>technical support here is very nosy.

I think that you misunderstand what saved searches are. They are XML files that when
activated return results based on a stored query. The results themselves are not
stored.

Deleting the default saved searches does absolutely nothing to protect you from nosy
tech people. Someone familiar with WDS search syntax can recreate those results
within seconds by simply typing or pasting in the right query.

Doug M. in NJ

retroman;805673 Wrote:
> On Thu, 14 Aug 2008 20:32:21 -0500, chaikenj <
> wrote
>
>
> chaikenj
>
> To create a new saved search, you must first run a query. Then clic
> the Save Searc
> button in Explorer
>
>
> I think that you misunderstand what saved searches are. They are XM
> files that whe
> activated return results based on a stored query. The result
> themselves are no
> stored
>
> Deleting the default saved searches does absolutely nothing to protec
> you from nos
> tech people. Someone familiar with WDS search syntax can recreat
> those result
> within seconds by simply typing or pasting in the right query
>
> Doug M. in N
Hmm. The search folders I am concerned about are long lists o
filenames and folder names that I have recently looked at; they are no
XML queries. By right-clicking any file in this list and choosing Open
you are looking at the file itself, you are not looking at query syntax

--
chaikenj

On Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:25:41 -0500, chaikenj <> wrote:

>Hmm. The search folders I am concerned about are long lists of
>filenames and folder names that I have recently looked at; they are not
>XML queries. By right-clicking any file in this list and choosing Open,
>you are looking at the file itself, you are not looking at query syntax.

The lists are not the queries, the "folders" themselves are the queries! Each query
is saved in an XML file with a hidden file extension. They look like folders but are
really text files. Right-click on any saved search folder and choose Send To and
then Notepad to see the XML.

The results of the query are the files that you see under the "folder". The results
list is recreated whenever the folder is clicked. The list itself is not stored,
only the saved query. That's why deleting the queries as a security measure is
pointless -- they can be recreated in a flash by anyone who is familiar with WDS.

Perhaps the easiest way to understand this is to create a simple saved query
yourself. Open Explorer and click on your user folder. Then paste this into the
search window:

modified:thisweek

Now click the Save Search button and name the search or accept the default. Once
saved, it will appear in the Searches folder along with the supplied queries.

Doug M. in NJ

retroman;805884 Wrote:
> On Fri, 15 Aug 2008 16:25:41 -0500, chaikenj <
> wrote
> > > >
> > >Hmm. The search folders I am concerned about are long lists o
> > >filenames and folder names that I have recently looked at; they ar
> > no
> > >XML queries. By right-clicking any file in this list and choosin
> > Open
> > >you are looking at the file itself, you are not looking at quer
> > syntax. > >
>
> The lists are not the queries, the "folders" themselves are th
> queries! Each quer
> is saved in an XML file with a hidden file extension. They look lik
> folders but ar
> really text files. Right-click on any saved search folder and choos
> Send To an
> then Notepad to see the XML
>
> The results of the query are the files that you see under th
> "folder". The result
> list is recreated whenever the folder is clicked. The list itself i
> not stored
> only the saved query. That's why deleting the queries as a securit
> measure i
> pointless -- they can be recreated in a flash by anyone who i
> familiar with WDS
>
> Perhaps the easiest way to understand this is to create a simpl
> saved quer
> yourself. Open Explorer and click on your user folder. Then past
> this into th
> search window
>
> modified:thiswee
>
> Now click the Save Search button and name the search or accept th
> default. Onc
> saved, it will appear in the Searches folder along with the supplie
> queries
>
> Doug M. in N
This is just fascinating. I never would have believed it. Thank yo
for taking the time to explain it to me

--
chaikenj

On Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:49:19 -0500, chaikenj <> wrote:
>This is just fascinating. I never would have believed it. Thank you
>for taking the time to explain it to me.

You are quite welcome! WDS is a cool feature but the fine points of using it are
larrgely missing from Vista help.

Doug M. in NJ