Windows 7 - Vista Search Doesn't Find Files Saved by Paint

Asked By Rolly

28-Jul-07 01:01 PM

When I save jpgs and pngs under Vista Business, these
files are not found by Vista search. If I right-click
the file icons and select 'Advanced', I see why that
is: the 'Index this file for faster searching' option is unchecked.

By way of contrast, if I save jpgs and pngs with other
programs, this option is checked, allowing those files
to be found by Vista search.

If I make a duplicate of a jpg or png saved with
Microsoft Paint, by ctrl-dragging the file icon,
the index option is checked for the copy even
though it was not for the original.

I wonder if anyone could explain why files saved by
Microsoft Paint are not set to be indexed.

Thank you very much,

R.

28-Jul-07 01:46 PM

'Index this file for faster searching' is a legacy function for changing the
file attribute of the file.  By default, the Indexing Service is not
installed.  Fiddling with all that has no relation to the Windows Search
Service, which is the service you are using when you click on Search.  After
having done a search, try clicking on the Search Tools button in the
Toolbar, to see if the options they provide has Search set up the way you
want it.

28-Jul-07 01:56 PM

yes, you are right.
This bug also affects the "stacks" feature i.e.  images saved with Paint are
not found when you groups the images in "stacks".

28-Jul-07 02:07 PM

On 2007-07-28 18:46:55 +0100, "dean-dean"


Not according to this article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/932989

even though the files exist on the computer

[...]

Cause 3: The file has properties that prevent it from being indexed

[...]

The Index this file for faster searching check box is not selected."

Indeed, as soon as that box is checked the file is found by Vista Search.

Or maybe there is something further I do not understand?

Thanks,

R.

28-Jul-07 03:37 PM

Well, call me confused.  In Windows XP, the Indexing Service was disabled by
default, as it is in Vista (a Service not to be confused with the Windows
Search Service, and is an optional component).  However, you are right, if I
disable a file from being indexed via the file's Properties>Advanced, say,
example.bmp, it will not show up in Search (a shortcut in the Recent Items
folder does, however).  Example.bmp is given an N attribute and apparently
Search disallows the file.

What is odd is that files are normally not attributed N automatically (with
the exception of certain system files, like junctions or hiberfil.sys, or
folders like Catroot or Prefetch), unless you specifically mark them, as I
did with example.bmp.

Try this. Open Computer, right-click your C drive, and choose Properties.
On the General tab, make sure "Index this drive for faster searching" has a
checkmark.  In XP, un-checking that box didn't matter much if you weren't
using the Indexing Service, and used Search Companion without it.
Apparently the meaning of "Index this drive for faster searching" has
changed in Vista...

By default, any user-created, or user-owned files should not be disallowed
in the index.  Meaning you shouldn't have to go to Advanced in the file's
Properties to allow it.  I've saved some files through Paint and can't
reproduce your the problem you are describing.  In what directory do you
usually save your files?

28-Jul-07 09:36 PM

Thanks for reporting this issue with Paint. I just looked at this and a bug
has previously been opened and is being investigated by the relevant MS
people.

As you have noticed, the Windows Search Service does pay attention to the
value set are not indexed. The fact that Paint files sometimes get in this
state was not intended behavior ...

Dave