Since writing Searching in Windows (part one), I have been doing more research on this. All recommendations I have read state not to index full hard disks as I suggested because it will slow down the index too much.
The next logical question is how do I find files that are not indexed?
The Search in Windows Vista had an Advanced Search button, which would allow you to check the option "Include non-indexed, hidden, and system files (might be slow)". I see no way to do this in Windows 7.
One way to be able to actually find a DLL file is to go to the folder it is in (in this case c:\Windows\SysWOW64) and then search for it. In other words, if you know where a file is, Windows can help you find it. Very helpful. Actually it's worse, it will only help you find it in that folder.
It is very weird how difficult it has been to find a solution to this question. I figured out one answer myself:
dir c:\msxml6.dll /s
Has it really come to this? Do I need to revert back to what I last did in DOS to find a file while running the latest Windows operating system in 2010?
In part 1 of exploring the Windows 7 search I thought it was simply unintuitive but had potential. Unfortunately, after more research, things have turned for the worse. I can't see myself relying on this search for anything. I will have to resort to Google desktop for file content searches and the command prompt or some other tool for file searches.
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