Windows Search Still Can't Find Half Your Files

Microsoft has made some improvements to Windows Search in recent updates, but users are still experiencing issues. In fact, the latest Release Preview Build has introduced a new feature that allows the OS to index folders automatically, but it doesn't address one of the most persistent problems with Search: finding files that aren't indexed.

Windows Search has been plagued by complaints for years, and while Microsoft has made some efforts to improve it, the underlying issues remain. The update dropped in June changed the threshold for triggering search results from three characters to two, making it easier to find what you're looking for. However, this doesn't address the problem of finding files that aren't indexed.

One of the biggest fixes to Search has been the addition of a new toggle that allows users to decide whether web or store suggestions appear in search results. This is a welcome change, but it's not enough to fix the underlying problems with Search. The index still can't see files inside folders, even if those folders are being watched.

Some users have resorted to using third-party alternatives like Everything, which reads straight from the NTFS Master File Table and builds its own list of indexed files. This solution is lightweight and powerful, but some users find the interface lacking.