[Fixed] Windows 8 Explorer Search Not Finding File Contents

Why does Windows 8 Explorer search not finding file contents?

If you have many files on your computer, finding a specific one can be challenging. In such cases, you can use the Search feature in File Explorer to locate the file you need.

In Windows 7, you could search for file contents easily. However, in Windows 8 and Windows 10, you might notice that this feature seems to be missing from File Explorer. This is because Windows 8 changed how search indexing works, and by default, content searching is not enabled. Sometimes, even when files exist and can be accessed through the command line, File Explorer may not display them.

If you encounter this issue, first ensure you are searching in the correct folder. It's also important to differentiate between missing files due to a File Explorer issue and files that are truly deleted. If your files have been removed, you may need to use a recovery method. So, does Windows 8 and Windows 10 still support searching file contents? Yes, but you must enable this feature manually.

How to Fix File Explorer search not finding files in Windows PCs?

If Windows 8 Explorer is not finding file contents, one possible reason is that the Windows Search service is disabled. This service is essential for indexing and searching files efficiently. To fix the issue, you need to ensure that the service is enabled by following these steps. 

Step 1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.

Step 2. Type services.msc and click OK to open the Services window.

Step 3. Scroll through the Name column and find Windows Search. Double-click it to open its Properties window.

Step 4. Check if the Startup type is set to Automatic. If not, select Automatic from the drop-down menu. Also, make sure the Service status is Running. If it is not, click the Start button.

Step 5. Click Apply, then OK to save the changes.

After completing these steps, try searching for file contents again to see if the issue is resolved.

What to do if the File Explorer still not finding files?

If File Explorer still cannot find your files after enabling the Windows Search service, they may have been lost or deleted due to various reasons. For example, accidental deletion, disk formatting, system crashes, virus attacks, or storage corruption can all cause this issue. In such cases, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery is a reliable tool that can help you recover lost data.

Besides, this software is compatible with almost all Windows versions, from Windows 7 to Windows 11, and supports multiple file systems like NTFS, FAT32, exFAT, and ReFS. It also provides a secure, ad-free environment, ensuring a safe recovery process. If your files are missing, this tool can be an effective solution.

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery. Choose the exact partition or disk where your data lost and click Scan.

Step 2. Then, the recovery tool start to scan and search. lt will execute the “Quickly Scan" first for finding your deleted data fast, and then execute the “Deep Scan" for searching other lost data.

Step 3. Once the scan is completed, all deleted files, Recycle Bin and other missing files will be displayed. Please select the file you would like to recover and then click "Recover".

Step 4. Then, select a folder path to save your recovered files.

Step 5. Wait patiently for this process of recovering to end.

Summary

In summary, if Windows 8 Explorer search not finding file contents, it may be due to disabled search indexing or missing search features. Enabling the Windows Search service can often resolve the issue. However, if files are still not found, they may have been lost or deleted due to various reasons. In such cases, AOMEI Partition Assistant for Recovery provides an easy and effective way to recover lost data. By following the right troubleshooting steps, you can restore both your search functionality and any missing files.