Where in the world is Windows Search?

When I first installed Vista, I quickly discovered that worst part of
the windows vista was windows search. Among the problems it had was that
for the first time ever in using a microsoft product, I felt like the
product was treating me like an idiot. I felt like I was using an Apple
product. I am doing more work now then when I was using XP, just for
searching.

First the interface is useless. It gives me only five options to narrow
the search down.... "All, Email, Document..."

Second, as a default it only shows indexed documents?? The file is
sitting on the desktop and it is telling me it does not exist. (I had
flash backs of starwars scene where the libriarian tells master kenobi,
if the star is not in the computer it does not exist )

Third, if you select advanced (dont know why call it advanced, if it
gives you less options then XP search) and click non-indexed search, you
are still not given any narrowing parameters other than date???? Someone
at MS must have said "Hey I think people with many files will have
issues narrowing them down!" What happened to size or document type? And
most people are not worried about or keep track of Authors or Tags.

I got so furustrated that I downloaded Google Search which I thought
might give me better options but it also has issues of its own.

I heard about SP1 coming and fixing some search issues and I thought
finally I can search my data drive correctly. Well now, after installing
sp1 the search option is gone from the start bar!!! I have to navigate
to the folder in question and type what I am looking for. Or I have to
learn new shortcuts. So I have to work more to do less.

Here is what I want to ask the Vista Community (becuase i dont think my
headaches are going to compel MS to change anything)

1) Has anyone figured out a way to make the vista search work for them.
If so can you please let me know how.

2) Is there a third option other than MS or Google for desktop search
that is easier and more intuitive?

Please dont reply back with "It works for me" because if it does, then
you are the most organized person I know and you only have five types of
documents on your computer. And it will not be helpful.

Thanks,



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

"AliilA" wrote:.
>
> When I first installed Vista, I quickly discovered that worst part of
> the windows vista was windows search. Among the problems it had was that
> for the first time ever in using a microsoft product, I felt like the
> product was treating me like an idiot. I felt like I was using an Apple
> product. I am doing more work now then when I was using XP, just for
> searching.
>
> First the interface is useless. It gives me only five options to narrow
> the search down.... "All, Email, Document..."
>
> Second, as a default it only shows indexed documents?? The file is
> sitting on the desktop and it is telling me it does not exist. (I had
> flash backs of starwars scene where the libriarian tells master kenobi,
> if the star is not in the computer it does not exist )
>
> Third, if you select advanced (dont know why call it advanced, if it
> gives you less options then XP search) and click non-indexed search, you
> are still not given any narrowing parameters other than date???? Someone
> at MS must have said "Hey I think people with many files will have
> issues narrowing them down!" What happened to size or document type? And
> most people are not worried about or keep track of Authors or Tags.
>
> I got so furustrated that I downloaded Google Search which I thought
> might give me better options but it also has issues of its own.
>
> I heard about SP1 coming and fixing some search issues and I thought
> finally I can search my data drive correctly. Well now, after installing
> sp1 the search option is gone from the start bar!!! I have to navigate
> to the folder in question and type what I am looking for. Or I have to
> learn new shortcuts. So I have to work more to do less.
>
> Here is what I want to ask the Vista Community (becuase i dont think my
> headaches are going to compel MS to change anything)
>
> 1) Has anyone figured out a way to make the vista search work for them.
> If so can you please let me know how.
>
> 2) Is there a third option other than MS or Google for desktop search
> that is easier and more intuitive?
>
> Please dont reply back with "It works for me" because if it does, then
> you are the most organized person I know and you only have five types of
> documents on your computer. And it will not be helpful.


Search in Vista is an organic thing. It works great if you follow the simple
three rules and eat no meat for a week before the search.

1. Search only in one folder and that should be the only folder on the
drive.
2. There should not be more than one file in the single folder.
3. The single file should be labelled "File Not Found".

Works like a charm.

..

1,2,3 are keepers....LMAO

--
All the best,
SG

Is your computer system ready for Vista?
https://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/

"Anopheles" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> "AliilA" wrote:.
>>
>> When I first installed Vista, I quickly discovered that worst part of
>> the windows vista was windows search. Among the problems it had was that
>> for the first time ever in using a microsoft product, I felt like the
>> product was treating me like an idiot. I felt like I was using an Apple
>> product. I am doing more work now then when I was using XP, just for
>> searching.
>>
>> First the interface is useless. It gives me only five options to narrow
>> the search down.... "All, Email, Document..."
>>
>> Second, as a default it only shows indexed documents?? The file is
>> sitting on the desktop and it is telling me it does not exist. (I had
>> flash backs of starwars scene where the libriarian tells master kenobi,
>> if the star is not in the computer it does not exist )
>>
>> Third, if you select advanced (dont know why call it advanced, if it
>> gives you less options then XP search) and click non-indexed search, you
>> are still not given any narrowing parameters other than date???? Someone
>> at MS must have said "Hey I think people with many files will have
>> issues narrowing them down!" What happened to size or document type? And
>> most people are not worried about or keep track of Authors or Tags.
>>
>> I got so furustrated that I downloaded Google Search which I thought
>> might give me better options but it also has issues of its own.
>>
>> I heard about SP1 coming and fixing some search issues and I thought
>> finally I can search my data drive correctly. Well now, after installing
>> sp1 the search option is gone from the start bar!!! I have to navigate
>> to the folder in question and type what I am looking for. Or I have to
>> learn new shortcuts. So I have to work more to do less.
>>
>> Here is what I want to ask the Vista Community (becuase i dont think my
>> headaches are going to compel MS to change anything)
>>
>> 1) Has anyone figured out a way to make the vista search work for them.
>> If so can you please let me know how.
>>
>> 2) Is there a third option other than MS or Google for desktop search
>> that is easier and more intuitive?
>>
>> Please dont reply back with "It works for me" because if it does, then
>> you are the most organized person I know and you only have five types of
>> documents on your computer. And it will not be helpful.
>
>
> Search in Vista is an organic thing. It works great if you follow the
> simple three rules and eat no meat for a week before the search.
>
> 1. Search only in one folder and that should be the only folder on the
> drive.
> 2. There should not be more than one file in the single folder.
> 3. The single file should be labelled "File Not Found".
>
> Works like a charm.
>
> .
>
>

The most frustrating part of Windows search is that if you don't know where
the file is that you're looking for, you won't find it.....sounds like Monty
Python invented it....

"SG" <> wrote in message
news:#I#...
> 1,2,3 are keepers....LMAO
>
> --
> All the best,
> SG
>
> Is your computer system ready for Vista?
> https://winqual.microsoft.com/hcl/
>
> "Anopheles" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>>
>> "AliilA" wrote:.
>>>
>>> When I first installed Vista, I quickly discovered that worst part of
>>> the windows vista was windows search. Among the problems it had was that
>>> for the first time ever in using a microsoft product, I felt like the
>>> product was treating me like an idiot. I felt like I was using an Apple
>>> product. I am doing more work now then when I was using XP, just for
>>> searching.
>>>
>>> First the interface is useless. It gives me only five options to narrow
>>> the search down.... "All, Email, Document..."
>>>
>>> Second, as a default it only shows indexed documents?? The file is
>>> sitting on the desktop and it is telling me it does not exist. (I had
>>> flash backs of starwars scene where the libriarian tells master kenobi,
>>> if the star is not in the computer it does not exist )
>>>
>>> Third, if you select advanced (dont know why call it advanced, if it
>>> gives you less options then XP search) and click non-indexed search, you
>>> are still not given any narrowing parameters other than date???? Someone
>>> at MS must have said "Hey I think people with many files will have
>>> issues narrowing them down!" What happened to size or document type? And
>>> most people are not worried about or keep track of Authors or Tags.
>>>
>>> I got so furustrated that I downloaded Google Search which I thought
>>> might give me better options but it also has issues of its own.
>>>
>>> I heard about SP1 coming and fixing some search issues and I thought
>>> finally I can search my data drive correctly. Well now, after installing
>>> sp1 the search option is gone from the start bar!!! I have to navigate
>>> to the folder in question and type what I am looking for. Or I have to
>>> learn new shortcuts. So I have to work more to do less.
>>>
>>> Here is what I want to ask the Vista Community (becuase i dont think my
>>> headaches are going to compel MS to change anything)
>>>
>>> 1) Has anyone figured out a way to make the vista search work for them.
>>> If so can you please let me know how.
>>>
>>> 2) Is there a third option other than MS or Google for desktop search
>>> that is easier and more intuitive?
>>>
>>> Please dont reply back with "It works for me" because if it does, then
>>> you are the most organized person I know and you only have five types of
>>> documents on your computer. And it will not be helpful.
>>
>>
>> Search in Vista is an organic thing. It works great if you follow the
>> simple three rules and eat no meat for a week before the search.
>>
>> 1. Search only in one folder and that should be the only folder on the
>> drive.
>> 2. There should not be more than one file in the single folder.
>> 3. The single file should be labelled "File Not Found".
>>
>> Works like a charm.
>>
>> .
>>
>>
>

I turn off indexing and never use search.
I must be too organized because I know where my documents are.
I create folders and subfolders, create descriptive filenames, and save
documents to where they belong (no matter where MS thinks they should go).
But I only have a few thousand data files to organize.
I suppose if I was MS and had millions, I'd need a better system.

"AliilA" <> wrote in message
news:...
>
> When I first installed Vista, I quickly discovered that worst part of
> the windows vista was windows search. Among the problems it had was that
> for the first time ever in using a microsoft product, I felt like the
> product was treating me like an idiot. I felt like I was using an Apple
> product. I am doing more work now then when I was using XP, just for
> searching.
>
> First the interface is useless. It gives me only five options to narrow
> the search down.... "All, Email, Document..."
>
> Second, as a default it only shows indexed documents?? The file is
> sitting on the desktop and it is telling me it does not exist. (I had
> flash backs of starwars scene where the libriarian tells master kenobi,
> if the star is not in the computer it does not exist )
>
> Third, if you select advanced (dont know why call it advanced, if it
> gives you less options then XP search) and click non-indexed search, you
> are still not given any narrowing parameters other than date???? Someone
> at MS must have said "Hey I think people with many files will have
> issues narrowing them down!" What happened to size or document type? And
> most people are not worried about or keep track of Authors or Tags.
>
> I got so furustrated that I downloaded Google Search which I thought
> might give me better options but it also has issues of its own.
>
> I heard about SP1 coming and fixing some search issues and I thought
> finally I can search my data drive correctly. Well now, after installing
> sp1 the search option is gone from the start bar!!! I have to navigate
> to the folder in question and type what I am looking for. Or I have to
> learn new shortcuts. So I have to work more to do less.
>
> Here is what I want to ask the Vista Community (becuase i dont think my
> headaches are going to compel MS to change anything)
>
> 1) Has anyone figured out a way to make the vista search work for them.
> If so can you please let me know how.
>
> 2) Is there a third option other than MS or Google for desktop search
> that is easier and more intuitive?
>
> Please dont reply back with "It works for me" because if it does, then
> you are the most organized person I know and you only have five types of
> documents on your computer. And it will not be helpful.
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> --
> AliilA
> Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com
>

You can update your Windows Search to version 4.0 if you are not
satisfied with your present version.
Link:
'Download details: Windows Search 4.0 Preview for Windows Vista
(KB940157)'
(http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en)
This is for Vista SP1 32 bit (x86) only.
Although Search has been removed from he start menu, it is easy o
open:
press the keys Windows + F at the same time.
If you drag the small Search icon (magnifier) left to the text Search
results
and pull it to the desktop, you can create a new Search shortcut.
You can pin it to your start menu by right clicking and choosing the
option
"pin to start menu"
You can also try Copernic Desktop Search which is very spectacular.
You have to configure the search options very carefully if you want to
be sure it
finds what you look for!


--
raymundka

once going windows F
select advanced options
Change location to Computer
& tick the box to do non indexed ,hidden,& System files


"Not Me" <> wrote in message
news:O9M%...
>I turn off indexing and never use search.
> I must be too organized because I know where my documents are.
> I create folders and subfolders, create descriptive filenames, and save
> documents to where they belong (no matter where MS thinks they should go).
> But I only have a few thousand data files to organize.
> I suppose if I was MS and had millions, I'd need a better system.
>
> "AliilA" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>>
>> When I first installed Vista, I quickly discovered that worst part of
>> the windows vista was windows search. Among the problems it had was that
>> for the first time ever in using a microsoft product, I felt like the
>> product was treating me like an idiot. I felt like I was using an Apple
>> product. I am doing more work now then when I was using XP, just for
>> searching.
>>
>> First the interface is useless. It gives me only five options to narrow
>> the search down.... "All, Email, Document..."
>>
>> Second, as a default it only shows indexed documents?? The file is
>> sitting on the desktop and it is telling me it does not exist. (I had
>> flash backs of starwars scene where the libriarian tells master kenobi,
>> if the star is not in the computer it does not exist )
>>
>> Third, if you select advanced (dont know why call it advanced, if it
>> gives you less options then XP search) and click non-indexed search, you
>> are still not given any narrowing parameters other than date???? Someone
>> at MS must have said "Hey I think people with many files will have
>> issues narrowing them down!" What happened to size or document type? And
>> most people are not worried about or keep track of Authors or Tags.
>>
>> I got so furustrated that I downloaded Google Search which I thought
>> might give me better options but it also has issues of its own.
>>
>> I heard about SP1 coming and fixing some search issues and I thought
>> finally I can search my data drive correctly. Well now, after installing
>> sp1 the search option is gone from the start bar!!! I have to navigate
>> to the folder in question and type what I am looking for. Or I have to
>> learn new shortcuts. So I have to work more to do less.
>>
>> Here is what I want to ask the Vista Community (becuase i dont think my
>> headaches are going to compel MS to change anything)
>>
>> 1) Has anyone figured out a way to make the vista search work for them.
>> If so can you please let me know how.
>>
>> 2) Is there a third option other than MS or Google for desktop search
>> that is easier and more intuitive?
>>
>> Please dont reply back with "It works for me" because if it does, then
>> you are the most organized person I know and you only have five types of
>> documents on your computer. And it will not be helpful.
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> AliilA
>> Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com
>>
>
>

"AliilA" <> wrote in message
news:...
> Here is what I want to ask the Vista Community (becuase i dont think my
> headaches are going to compel MS to change anything)
>
> 1) Has anyone figured out a way to make the vista search work for them.
> If so can you please let me know how.
>
> 2) Is there a third option other than MS or Google for desktop search
> that is easier and more intuitive?

I have been investigating and complaining about the failures of Vista's
search since last July and no one at Microsoft cares.

File search using Vista does not find files that one could find via search
in Windows 95, 98, 2000, or XP (with a registry patch). I have many old
files that I migrated to Vista that did not follow Microsoft's "rules" about
file extensions and I cannot find them using Vista's search now. I have
indexed and re-indexed my machine about four times. One should not have to
manually search through files in a folder to find one of interest, yet that
is what I must sometimes do when I know Vista's search is failing.

I have described an experiment where I created a .txt file with a known
string. Vista's search can find this .txt file. But, if I copy this file
and give it an "unknown" extension, e.g., .X, Vista cannot find this file
copy, even after re-indexing my whole machine, and even with the "include
non-indexed, hidden, and system files (might be slow)" checked. Microsoft
claims they cannot reproduce this problem, but they have no diagnostics that
can be run to explain why my machine cannot. Microsoft's troubleshooting
approach was only to try to reproduce a problem without investigating the
failure. One would think that with a new product a company would be
concerned about reported failures, but Microsoft shows absolutely no
interest in learning why Vista search does not work.

Microsoft shows little or no concern about incompatibilities to earlier
versions of Windows. Microsoft does not care that I cannot find files that
I could find using Windows 95. Microsoft REFUSES to let me downgrade to
Windows XP (for free) so I can get search to work and be effective -- they
want me to pay them more money to get software that works. Microsoft
carries a "big stick" in forcing Vista onto customers, instead of a "carrot"
of having a good product that makes one effective and efficient. Microsoft
only has contempt for customers that want a system that works without bugs.

Starting with Vista SP1, there is a search box at the upper right in Windows
Explorer -- they took away the right-click-search option. But that makes
getting to "Advanced Search" even more difficult, which is what I almost
always want. The design reminds me of what one would get from semester
design project in a software engineering class -- only halfway thought out
and with little concern for existing users.

This blog entry was supposed to be about "advanced search techniques" in
Vista, but has become a list of the failures of Vista search:
http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...echniques.aspx
Please post all Vista failures that you have at that blog.

Microsoft should be ashamed for the way it treats its paying customers.
Microsoft has changed me from an early Vista advocate to a Vista naysayer.

One way to get a Vista search feature that works well and is intuitive is to
install Agent Ransack:
http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/download.aspx

A Microsoft Support Escalation Engineer closed my appeal for help with
Vista's search, but without any hope for a solution that search will ever
work in Vista.

Why should we ever trust Microsoft in the future when they can make
arbitrary changes that take away basic functionality in their operating
system?

Celegans wrote:
> "AliilA" <> wrote in message
> news:...
>
>> Here is what I want to ask the Vista Community (becuase i dont think my
>> headaches are going to compel MS to change anything)
>>
>> 1) Has anyone figured out a way to make the vista search work for them.
>> If so can you please let me know how.
>>
>> 2) Is there a third option other than MS or Google for desktop search
>> that is easier and more intuitive?
>>
>
> I have been investigating and complaining about the failures of Vista's
> search since last July and no one at Microsoft cares.
>
> File search using Vista does not find files that one could find via search
> in Windows 95, 98, 2000, or XP (with a registry patch). I have many old
> files that I migrated to Vista that did not follow Microsoft's "rules" about
> file extensions and I cannot find them using Vista's search now. I have
> indexed and re-indexed my machine about four times. One should not have to
> manually search through files in a folder to find one of interest, yet that
> is what I must sometimes do when I know Vista's search is failing.
>
> I have described an experiment where I created a .txt file with a known
> string. Vista's search can find this .txt file. But, if I copy this file
> and give it an "unknown" extension, e.g., .X, Vista cannot find this file
> copy, even after re-indexing my whole machine, and even with the "include
> non-indexed, hidden, and system files (might be slow)" checked. Microsoft
> claims they cannot reproduce this problem, but they have no diagnostics that
> can be run to explain why my machine cannot. Microsoft's troubleshooting
> approach was only to try to reproduce a problem without investigating the
> failure. One would think that with a new product a company would be
> concerned about reported failures, but Microsoft shows absolutely no
> interest in learning why Vista search does not work.
>
> Microsoft shows little or no concern about incompatibilities to earlier
> versions of Windows. Microsoft does not care that I cannot find files that
> I could find using Windows 95. Microsoft REFUSES to let me downgrade to
> Windows XP (for free) so I can get search to work and be effective -- they
> want me to pay them more money to get software that works. Microsoft
> carries a "big stick" in forcing Vista onto customers, instead of a "carrot"
> of having a good product that makes one effective and efficient. Microsoft
> only has contempt for customers that want a system that works without bugs.
>
> Starting with Vista SP1, there is a search box at the upper right in Windows
> Explorer -- they took away the right-click-search option. But that makes
> getting to "Advanced Search" even more difficult, which is what I almost
> always want. The design reminds me of what one would get from semester
> design project in a software engineering class -- only halfway thought out
> and with little concern for existing users.
>
> This blog entry was supposed to be about "advanced search techniques" in
> Vista, but has become a list of the failures of Vista search:
> http://windowsvistablog.com/blogs/wi...echniques.aspx
> Please post all Vista failures that you have at that blog.
>
> Microsoft should be ashamed for the way it treats its paying customers.
> Microsoft has changed me from an early Vista advocate to a Vista naysayer.
>
> One way to get a Vista search feature that works well and is intuitive is to
> install Agent Ransack:
> http://www.mythicsoft.com/agentransack/download.aspx
>
> A Microsoft Support Escalation Engineer closed my appeal for help with
> Vista's search, but without any hope for a solution that search will ever
> work in Vista.
>
> Why should we ever trust Microsoft in the future when they can make
> arbitrary changes that take away basic functionality in their operating
> system?
>
>
>
Until I installed SP1, Explorer couldn't find squat if Indexing was
enabled. I went into services.msc last summer and turned off the
indexing service so that Explorer could find files. I had first tried
re-indexing and waiting a few DAYS for the indexing to be complete, but
Explorer still couldn't find diddly squat with Indexing enabled. My
wife's Vista machine suffers from the same issue to this day, as SP1
deployment on her machine is held up by a Sigma Tel audio driver issue.
Now that SP1 is on my PC, I am happy to report that Indexing can now be
enabled and files are found quickly.

BTW, I have NEVER trusted MS--they have written too much crappy code for
me to trust them. They leave you out in the cold if you bought a
machine with their OS installed--"OEM" version purchasers get no free
phone support, other than SP support. Is it any wonder that MS receives
so much bad press?

Dave

Anopheles, Very funny.
Not Me, All I can say is wow. I wish, I and everybody in the company
was that organized.
raymundka, Your solutions were very informative. Search 4.0 is the same
however. I am currently using Copernic Desktop Search but the HD and CPU
usage is very high.
William, I did all that already. Before I got frustrated. Thanks for
the input though.
Celegans, You made me realize that this is not a argument I will win...
since the microsoft thread you quoted has been going on for a year and
half. Goodluck in your quest to make MS see the way...
David, Unfortunately SP1 didnt help most people. However, I am glad it
worked for you.

When I asked this question, I thought I was in the minority having
issues. I learned that I was not and the problem was more widespread and
there are many threads just complaining about this issue on the net.
What makes it worse is that MS refuses to acknoledge the problem exists;
infact it insists that users are wrong or using the feature wrong.


Anyway, what I wanted to say is that I think the time is right for a
good thrid party solution. So anyone in the programming community
reading this, take advantage of this and capture the desktop search
market.


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