Windows XP will not find the text you are scanning for

You must have noticed that there is a difference in searching function between Windows XP and Windows prior to XP.

XP has a known issue for not finding a number of File Types when you do a Search for Files "containing text" or using the "A word or phrase in the file" option. Windows XP will not find the text you are scanning for.



Why ?

Microsoft wanted to make XP faster than the previous versions of Windows. Thus it eliminated the capability to search all file.XP checks only a number of file extensions.The cause is the lack of a PersistentHandler value in the Registry for this type of file.



How To Fix:-



1]Change the default value of PersistentHandler key:-



Strat>Run>Regedit>Ok

Now Navigate to [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.XXXPersistentHandler.You can also find PersistentHandler key by:-

Highlight HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT>goto Edit>Find>in the Find what: box type:PersistentHandler>Enter/Find Next

Now just change the default value:-Double click on the Default value present in the right pane and copy and paste this value:{5e941d80-bf96-11cd-b579-08002b30bfeb}.Close the registry editor and reboot your system.



Obtain the latest service pack for Windows XP and then turn on the Index file types with unknown extensions option.



2.A]Through Registry:-

To configure the search to include all file types:

1]Start>Run>Regedit>Ok. Now navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ContentIndex.

2.]Double-click the FilterFilesWithUnknownExtensions Value Name, a REG_DWORD data type, and set the data value to 1.

3] You must restart your computer for this change to take effect.



2.B]Through GUI:-



1] Click Start, and then click Search (or point to Search, and then click For Files or Folders).

2] Click Change preferences, and then click With Indexing Service (for faster local searches).

3]Click Change Indexing Service Settings (Advanced). Note that you do not have to turn on the Index service.

4] On the toolbar, click Show/Hide Console Tree.

5] In the left pane, right-click Indexing Service on Local Machine, and then click Properties.

6]On the Generation tab, click to select the Index files with unknown extensions check box, and then click OK.

7] Close the Indexing Service console.



Useful Links:-

Using the "A word or phrase in the file" search criterion may not work

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=309173





Direct Registry Edits:-

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_fix_search.htm

http://www.mostlycreativeworkshop.com/Downloads-req-getit-lid-7.html



Windows Update Fix:-

Windows XP Application Compatibility Update, October 25, 2001

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308381/EN-US/