Windows Search not searching in files

indexingsearchwindows-server-2008

I am trying to get Windows Search to work on my Windows Server 2008 SP2 fileserver, so I can search in files for content.

I have added the Windows Search Service role to the server, and using the right-click properties in Explorer set some folders to "Index this location".

The problem is that neither on the server or remotely can I search in the files.

I seem to get some inconsistencies in the GUIs, for example the "Indexing Options" panel shows me just 6 locations indexed, but if I click "Modify" I see nearly everything ticked.

Indexing Options

For example, the "SeachTest" folder under "infrastructure" has the "index this location" option ticked, but the "Projects" folder does not. I assume this is why some are grey and some not, but they are all ticked.
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The "SearchTest" folder contains some files that have nothing but the text PurpleOrange in it, so I should be able to find those.

So, to summarise:

  • Which locations are indexed? The ones in the "Index these locations" list, the ones ticked, or the ones not greyed-out in the list?
  • How do I get to the state where I can click in the search box and type PurpleOrange and see the files?

Best Answer

Depending on what files you are trying to index, you probably need the appropriate iFilters so Windows Search can go in and actually sift through the binary contents of each file and grab out the text so it can index it.

After the iFilters are installed, go to Control Panel -> Indexing Options Click Advanced button Click Rebuild

PDF iFilters

Adobe -- http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4025

foxit -- http://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/ifilter/

Microsoft Office iFilters

For office 2010 and prior versions -- http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?id=17062

Service Pack 1 for above iFilter -- http://www.microsoft.com/download/en/details.aspx?displaylang=en&id=26604

Others

http://www.ifilter.org/

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