Many of us rely on Windows Search to find files and launch programs, but searching for text within files is express to specific file types by default. Here's how you tin can expand your search to include other text-based files.

We have shown yous some advanced search operators using Windows Search earlier and even how to modify which files are indexed and how to rebuild your search index. But what about searching for text within of .html, .php, .js, and other text-based web and scripting files? Windows search allows you to include other file extensions in its index with a few simple clicks.

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This technique works in Windows x, 8, seven, or fifty-fifty Vista. The screens might expect a little dissimilar, but information technology's the aforementioned basic process on all versions.

Striking Outset, blazon "index," and then click the "Indexing Options" outcome.

In the "Indexing Options" window, click the "Avant-garde" button.

In the "Advanced Options" window, switch to the "File Types" tab. Select the extension for the file type yous would similar to include in content searches, and and so select the "Index Properties and File Contents" option nether the list. The text in the "Filter Clarification" column should change to reflect whatever filter is used to open that file type by default. In our example, we're selecting the BAT extension, so the filter type changes to "Plain Text Filter."

If you don't find file type y'all're looking for on the list, information technology means no app is set up as the default handler for that file type. To add the file type, type the extension in the "Add New Extension to Listing" box and and so click the "Add" button. By default, Windows Search will use a obviously text filter to search the contents of those types of files, since some other app is not associated.

After the alphabetize is rebuilt, searching for text inside one of the new file types should now show results.

If y'all'd like to always search within file contents for a specific folder, navigate to that folder in File Explorer and open the "Binder and Search Options."

On the "Search" tab, select the "E'er search file names and contents" option.

After the alphabetize rebuilds, searches in that folder will automatically include file contents.