searching for files by extension

I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name section I
did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.

Hi, SBS user.

It works for me. (I'm sure you LOVE that kind of answer.)

You HAVE unchecked the box in Control Panel | Folder Options | View that
says the Hide extensions for known file types, haven't you. For my
computer, now running the Win7 beta, Search finds the .pst files even with
the extension hidden, but it's not obvious from the Results list that it is
a .pst file.

When I have problems with Search in the GUI, I revert to good ol' DOS (the
Command Prompt window in Vista, WinXP, Win7...). In the CP window, I type
something like:
Dir C:\*.pst /s/a

and wait a few seconds. The Dir command lists all the *.pst files in C:\.
The /s switch finds all the files in all subfolders, too, and the /a switch
lists All files, even the Hidden ones. So Dir /s/a searches all of C:; for
a big drive with lots of files and folders it may take a while, but if such
a file exists on that drive, this will find it. (Dir /? shows me all the
switches and parameters available with the Dir command.)

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX

Microsoft Windows MVP
Windows Live Mail 2009 (14.0.8064.0206) in Win7 Ultimate x64 7000

"SBS user" <> wrote in message
news:...
> I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
> When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name section I
> did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.

"SBS user" <> wrote in message
news:...
>I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
> When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name section I
> did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.

Windows Logo Key+F will open search then click on *Advanced Search and tell
search *where/location* to search for your file. If you plan on wanting to
get back to that/those files on a regular basis then save the search with a
good name to your search folder, then when you want those files next week or
next month it want take any time.

H Brown

Hello SBS

When using Advanced Search to search for these files, be sure to chec
the "Include no-index, hidden, and system files" option. This will allo
it search everywhere at the selected location

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/75...ced-search.htm

Hope this helps
Shaw

SBS user;996238 Wrote:
> I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .ps
> When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the nam
> section
> did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system

--
Brin

*There are no dumb questions, just the people that do not as
them.*
'*Windows 7 Forums*
*and* '*::Vista Forums::*
*Please post feedback to help others.*

On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:57:25 -0500, "SBS user" <> wrote:

>I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
>When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name section I
>did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.

Use the new syntax:

extst

The syntax is covered here:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro.../advquery.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...filetypes.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/pro...andtricks.mspx
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/win...529ec1033.mspx
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...6426d1033.mspx
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Win...dc0d51033.mspx

Doug M. in NJ

On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:55:03 -0400, Retroman <>
wrote:

>On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:57:25 -0500, "SBS user" <> wrote:
>
>>I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
>>When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name section I
>>did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.
>
>Use the new syntax:
>
>extst


Or just install a search tool that wasn't intentionally designed to be
non-standard and difficult to use:

http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/

When Search is to difficult to learn or to difficult to understand when
using advanced search in Vista, then from Control Panel, search "Folder
Options". Under Folder Options heading select "Change search options for
files and folders" in the dialog that opens on the "Search Tab" check the
box next to "Use natural language search" while your there change any other
search options you feel would make it easier for you to find your files or
folders. All the other stronger search parameters will still work as they
should after changing to natural language and advanced search is only two
key strokes away.
IMO natural language search should be set as the default search option for
the majority of users.

H Brown

H Brown
"+Bob+" <> wrote in message
news:...
> On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:55:03 -0400, Retroman <>
> wrote:
>
>>On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:57:25 -0500, "SBS user" <> wrote:
>>
>>>I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
>>>When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name section
>>>I
>>>did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.
>>
>>Use the new syntax:
>>
>>extst
>
>
> Or just install a search tool that wasn't intentionally designed to be
> non-standard and difficult to use:
>
> http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/

H Brown wrote:
> When Search is to difficult to learn or to difficult to understand when
> using advanced search in Vista, then from Control Panel, search "Folder
> Options". Under Folder Options heading select "Change search options for
> files and folders" in the dialog that opens on the "Search Tab" check
> the box next to "Use natural language search" while your there change
> any other search options you feel would make it easier for you to find
> your files or folders. All the other stronger search parameters will
> still work as they should after changing to natural language and
> advanced search is only two key strokes away.
> IMO natural language search should be set as the default search option
> for the majority of users.
>
> H Brown

LOL, you're posting to A+Babbling+Bob+Moron that can find the keys in
his pockets, and he hates Vista Search.

>
> H Brown
> "+Bob+" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>> On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:55:03 -0400, Retroman <>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:57:25 -0500, "SBS user" <> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
>>>> When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name
>>>> section I
>>>> did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.
>>>
>>> Use the new syntax:
>>>
>>> extst
>>
>>
>> Or just install a search tool that wasn't intentionally designed to be
>> non-standard and difficult to use:
>>
>> http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/
>

You are more than likely right about what you say. I do agree with you. But
I more or less understood that from the OP comments/question.
I do like Vistas search capabilities and as a mater of fact think its one
of the most powerful tools included in Vista.
Thanks for your comments MBUnit,
H Brown
"MBUnit" <> wrote in message
news:...
>H Brown wrote:
>> When Search is to difficult to learn or to difficult to understand when
>> using advanced search in Vista, then from Control Panel, search "Folder
>> Options". Under Folder Options heading select "Change search options for
>> files and folders" in the dialog that opens on the "Search Tab" check the
>> box next to "Use natural language search" while your there change any
>> other search options you feel would make it easier for you to find your
>> files or folders. All the other stronger search parameters will still
>> work as they should after changing to natural language and advanced
>> search is only two key strokes away.
>> IMO natural language search should be set as the default search option
>> for the majority of users.
>>
>> H Brown
>
> LOL, you're posting to A+Babbling+Bob+Moron that can find the keys in his
> pockets, and he hates Vista Search.
>
>>
>> H Brown
>> "+Bob+" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:55:03 -0400, Retroman <>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 09:57:25 -0500, "SBS user" <> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> I want to search for a file based on extension e.g. .pst
>>>>> When using vista's built in search and putting *.pst in the name
>>>>> section I
>>>>> did not get any results when I know there is a .pst file on my system.
>>>>
>>>> Use the new syntax:
>>>>
>>>> extst
>>>
>>>
>>> Or just install a search tool that wasn't intentionally designed to be
>>> non-standard and difficult to use:
>>>
>>> http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/
>>

On Thu, 19 Mar 2009 22:40:18 -0500, "H Brown" <>
wrote:

>You are more than likely right about what you say. I do agree with you. But
>I more or less understood that from the OP comments/question.
> I do like Vistas search capabilities and as a mater of fact think its one
>of the most powerful tools included in Vista.
>Thanks for your comments MBUnit,
>H Brown

Enjoy that non-standard, non-intutive, resource wasting, POS if you
like. The rest of us will get better performance and efficiency from a
better tool.