Windows 8 search help needed...

[KasinoKing]

I really don't like the way Windows 8 search works - you just get a load of icons with the file names (most of which seem to be "phantom" files anyway).

Does anyone know if there is a way to search (maybe an app or other add-on?) which displays the results the way XP used to: in an explorer window with a sortable list of file names with dates, location, sizes etc.

I've tries Googling it, but trying to search for "search in windows" brings MILLIONS of unrelated results!

Cheers for any suggestions,
KK

 

[Mozaik]

I really don't like the way Windows 8 search works - you just get a load of icons with the file names (most of which seem to be "phantom" files anyway).

Does anyone know if there is a way to search (maybe an app or other add-on?) which displays the results the way XP used to: in an explorer window with a sortable list of file names with dates, location, sizes etc.

I've tries Googling it, but trying to search for "search in windows" brings MILLIONS of unrelated results!

Cheers for any suggestions,
KK

Are you talking about the start menu button? Which is missing from the Windows 8 format.

I've used the following site:

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Now the format looks the same as Win 7. There is a 30-day trial, and $5 purchase fee if you want to keep using it. The search bar works like in previous versions.

 

[Simmo!]

I really don't like the way Windows 8 search works - you just get a load of icons with the file names (most of which seem to be "phantom" files anyway).

Does anyone know if there is a way to search (maybe an app or other add-on?) which displays the results the way XP used to: in an explorer window with a sortable list of file names with dates, location, sizes etc.

I've tries Googling it, but trying to search for "search in windows" brings MILLIONS of unrelated results!

Cheers for any suggestions,
KK

Just go to the desktop, start Windows Explorer and there's a search box in it which works exactly like you want.

 

[Stovetopp]

I really don't like the way Windows 8 search works - you just get a load of icons with the file names (most of which seem to be "phantom" files anyway).

Does anyone know if there is a way to search (maybe an app or other add-on?) which displays the results the way XP used to: in an explorer window with a sortable list of file names with dates, location, sizes etc.

I've tries Googling it, but trying to search for "search in windows" brings MILLIONS of unrelated results!

Cheers for any suggestions,
KK

KK, It depends what you are searching for! Is it foi something on the net or for something in your computer(files etc)
I think win8 was the biggest mistake MSFT made comparable to blackberry I find it very difficult to use
Anyway. you can slide to the right and some icons will come up one says Search and you can specify waht you want. After you get the hang of it there is a file called "file explorer" When you are able to find this file it makes it easier
If you r searching for something on the net why not use google search explorer and google
now adays both browser allow you to just type what you are looking for on the tool bar w/o putting in the www. I am glad i am not the only one having trouble with this darn platform I hate it

 

[dunover]

Yes, KK, once you find the relevant access to things like explorer, my computer, search, system, accessories, PC settings etc. ADD THEM TO YOUR DESKTOP AS SHORTCUTS!
This is the most frustrating problem with W8, finding stuff that was hitherto simple on other W versions.
I suspect like me you use it in desktop version 99% of the time because W8 is designed for touchscreen tablets and you have to 'convert' it slowly to behave like W7/Vista desktop etc.
I have a touchscreen laptop which is useful for slotting and thus not needing pointer/mouse control - in other words what W8 was designed for - and I still DETEST the f***ing W8 system......

 

[KasinoKing]

KK, It depends what you are searching for! Is it for something on the net or for something in your computer(files etc)

Yes, I meant files on my own computer - sorry I wasn't totally clear about that.
Specifically in need to search my 100's of Excel, Word and web-page documents for a specific word or phrase.
In XP you could specify load of search criteria - such as files with ".doc" in the name, containing the word "Grunties" - so you ONLY got Word Documents in your results.
The standard "swipe right" search on W8 doesn't seem to have any filtering at all!

I've only been on W8 for a few weeks (after nearly 10 years on XP), and I had to upgrade from Office 2003 too - so many things are totally alien to me now!

Thanks for all the replies everyone!
KK

 

[GrandMaster]

You could try findstr.exe (

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).

 

[KasinoKing]

Just go to the desktop, start Windows Explorer and there's a search box in it which works exactly like you want.

Sounded so simple - I thought that had to be the answer!

But I can't FIND Windows Explorer!
(I can only find Internet Explorer, which is not the same thing)
Even the search doesn't bring it up.

So where is THAT hiding?

The top result leads to something completely different to your screenshot (see below)




Selecting "Windows Explorer" returned just 1 strange result and 32 Excel files (???).
ALL the other "Explorers" ONLY returned a list of Excel files.



KK

 

[dunover]

Assuming you are using desktop mode:
1. Mouse over the top right side and select 'settings'.
2. Select 'control panel'.
3. Press the little 'up arrow' on the left of the type-box.
4. Select 'this PC'.
5. enter in the search 'windows explorer'.
6. When the search is complete select this one from the list (or any other that says 'shortcut'):



Right click it and 'send to desktop'.

Now you have a one-tile access to Win Ex.....

P.S. On your win8 tilescreen, if you aren't using desktop, arrow down on the blue tile page and go to the right, at or near the end you may have a small tile called 'file explorer' which is the same thing as above.

 

[KasinoKing]

Assuming you are using desktop mode:
1. Mouse over the top right side and select 'settings'.
2. Select 'control panel'.
3. Press the little 'up arrow' on the left of the type-box.
4. Select 'this PC'.
5. enter in the search 'windows explorer'.
6. When the search is complete select this one from the list (or any other that says 'shortcut'):

View attachment 45560

Right click it and 'send to desktop'.

Now you have a one-tile access to Win Ex.....

P.S. On your win8 tilescreen, if you aren't using desktop, arrow down on the blue tile page and go to the right, at or near the end you may have a small tile called 'file explorer' which is the same thing as above.

I did all that OK, but all I seemed to end up with was an exact copy of the "File Browser" icon which was already in my tool bar - in the Red box below.
When I open that, I don't have the "Search" tab at the top - NOT in the green box below!

However, a window that DOES have the search function appeared at your step 3 above - so I'll just have to do that every time.
Thanks for the help!

 

[Mousey]

OH. MY. GOD.

I've got to have a new computer here at work and just reading about win8 makes me shudder. I don't need or want touchy-feely tiles for apps (photos, twitter, faceplace) that will never be used. This is a WORK desktop. Bookkeeping software, email, and browser, and EASY access to freaking files is what I need. I have, literally, been having nightmares about the impending change over ... there's not a lot of time here for learning a new OS. A customer phones, I need immediate access to my Quickbooks and customer account info... I can't be hunting and pecking and dragging and sliding (and cussing) while on the phone....

 

[klauskunterbunt]

Hi

I would give Agent Ransack a try. It is a superfast(it searches the Metadata) and very easy to use searching tool.

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If you want the "old" look and feel of Windows, just install Classic shell. You will never see this crappy "touchy-feely tiles" if you do not want. It boots directly to the Desktop.

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Both Programms are freeware (for personal use)

 

[MaryJean]

HERE IS ANOTHER SUGGESTION

This is a DVD or Flash Drive book on how to manage Windows 8.

I have ordered mine but have not received it yet. It is just new off the "press".

So recommendations are non-existent.

But it is cheap at any price if its any good. I don't know if they ship out of USA.

MaryJean
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