Windows 10: Windows 11 Search inconsistent at finding files

I'm running Windows 11 Home 10.0.22631 on an Asus TUF F15.My OS seemingly goes from being able to find files to not being able to find them from one moment to the next. I am not sure what causes this inconsistency. I have included a screenshot. Sometimes the file explorer is finding two files called "The Lord of the Rings" I only have one such file on my computer. When that happens, Windows button search finds a single file called "The Lord of the Rings". Seemingly for no reason, sometimes Windows explorer switches to being able to find a single file, and then windows button search finds non

:)

 

Windows 11 search no longer finds php or yml files

I am using Windows 11 Pro 23H2

I've used php and yml files in Windows for years for quick retrieval of plain text snippets. For various reasons, I need .txt to open in MS Word, but I have php and yml set to open in Notepad++.

So, for several years, my workflow has been:

• Click the Windows icon
  
• Start typing the file name
  
• Hit Enter when the right file shows
  

This worked for files like sample.php or snippet1.yml

After a recent update, these files no longer show up in search or in Explorer search.

I can navigate to the folder the files are in, search *php or *.php or *.yml and get no hits. If I search on the exact file name, no hits.

Please note that I've already taken the following steps:

• Set 'Searching Windows' to Enhanced under 'Find my files'
  
• Noted indexing status: that 34,894 files are idexed, Pending: 0
  
• Verified file type settings for .php and .yml in the Advanced indexing options > Advanced > File types: yml and php are set to "Index Properties and File Contents"
  
• Did a complete index 'Delete and rebuild'
  
• Ran the search and indexing troubleshooters
  

The result is that files like .docx, .txt., even .htm are found normally but .php and .yml are invisible to search.

 

Searching (from the Start menu) only finds some of my files

Hi Mike,

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community, we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

I understand your concern about searching files from the Start menu.

I suggest you to try the below troubleshooting steps and check:

Step 1: Run the Performance troubleshooter.

Performance troubleshooter finds and clean up unused files and shortcuts and performs maintenance tasks.

• 
  Type “Troubleshooting” in the
  Search box and hit Enter.
  
• 
  Select “System Maintenance” from the
  Troubleshooter window.
  
• 
  Select “Advance” and click on “Run as Administrator”.
  
• 
  Click “Next” and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
  

Step 2: I suggest you to
restart Windows Search service.

Windows Search service provides content indexing, property caching and search results for files, e-mails and other contents.

• 
  Click Start, type
  Services.msc in the Start Search box.
  
• 
  Scroll down the list of services, right-click
  Windows Search and select Start.
  
• 
  Also, right-click
  and select Properties for
  Windows Search and set its Startup Type to
  Automatic.
  

Hope it helps. Feel free to contact us for further assistance on Windows Operating System, we will be happy to help you.

 

Search Content of MHT files

Hi David,

Most probably, this is a problem with the search and indexing of your Windows 10 computer. For us to provide the best resolution possible, we would like to clarify the following:

• Are you trying to search the content of MHT files using Cortana?
• Have you tried searching it using the File Explorer?
• Are you using a third-party app to search for the content of MHT files?

As an initial troubleshooting step, we suggest that you run the troubleshooter for search and indexing. To run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter, follow these steps:

• Click the Start button and select the Settings
  icon.
• Choose Update & Security from the list.
• Click Troubleshoot in the left pane of the window.
• Under Find and fix other problems.
• Select Search and Indexing and click Run the troubleshooter.

We'll keep an eye out for your response.