Asking how to do a search for files on Flash Drives in Windows 7

LindaEllis · January 02, 2016, 06:21:34 PM

I am a long time Windows XP user. I just recently 'upgraded' to Windows 7. Not quite ready to jump into Windows 10 yet if I don't have to!

But, I am having problems trying to search for a file by name of in text in a flash drive like in Drives "E" or "F" to find the files in those drives. It seems I am only able to do a full search of the "C" drive. (I remember with Windows XP the search or find would even pick up the names in files in my Facebook folders)

So, any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

Pete! · January 02, 2016, 06:46:33 PM

I can't speak to Windows 7, but it may have an equivalent.

In Windows 10 there's a "control panel" item called "Indexing Options".
Open it, click on "Modify", check the boxes for the items/drives you want and then click "OK".

plodr · January 02, 2016, 08:28:47 PM

Maybe this article on how to add USB removable drives and sd cards to Windows 7 search will help
http://lifehacker.com/5788839/how-to-add-unsupported-removable-drives-to-windows-7s-libraries

When I put in my USB sticks, I get a popup and I select open then I can see what it on the USB stick so I don't use Windows search.

Corrine · January 02, 2016, 08:35:14 PM

With Windows 10, when you insert the USB, you get a pop-up asking what you want to do. One of the selections includes opening the files. After the USB is mounted, open File Explorer and select the drive with the USB. In the right corner there is a search box. Just type the file name there. As you type, the system searches for the file name.

After you have found the file and copied/moved, whatever, close search and right-click on the drive letter for the USB in File explorer. Select "Eject".

plodr · January 03, 2016, 12:25:46 AM

But what do you do in Windows 7? That's what LindaEllis was asking about.

Corrine · January 03, 2016, 12:31:16 AM

Sorry, Windows 10 got stuck in my head for some reason. I would do the same thing as you for Windows 7:

Quote from: plodr on January 02, 2016, 08:28:47 PM
When I put in my USB sticks, I get a popup and I select open then I can see what it on the USB stick so I don't use Windows search.

Aaron Hulett · January 03, 2016, 06:36:09 AM

I'd insert the USB drive, wait for it to register, then click Start | Computer and double-click the USB drive (or if it has auto-run capabilities, right-click the USB drive and click Open). The search box on the upper-right should switch to searching the USB drive.

plodr · January 03, 2016, 06:22:38 PM

QuoteThe search box on the upper-right should switch to searching the USB drive.

All these years and I never noticed that search box! I continue to learn at least one new "computer" item daily!

I always use Void Tools Everything and fire that up but I only use it to search on C.

LindaEllis · January 05, 2016, 04:04:51 AM

Hi Aaron, for some reason I did not see your reply until now,so I apologize. Yes, I had to practice a bit but your instructions are correct. You do have to click on the flash drive until you see the folders listed and then type in your search term in the upper right search box and then you'll see the files (by the name) listed. I am not sure, but I don't think the search works if you are looking for a search term that is part of a phrase but not the file name. I just chose a word that I know was part of the name of a file.

Below I copied over your instrutions. I will save them and retain them. It will help greatly as I do have a lot on my flash drives!

"I'd insert the USB drive, wait for it to register, then click Start | Computer and double-click the USB drive (or if it has auto-run capabilities, right-click the USB drive and click Open). The search box on the upper-right should switch to searching the USB drive."