Help with what should be an easy filter

[paulhurm]

This should be an easy filter but I can't figure it out so help would be appreciated.

In some of my searches I get filenames with ".LNK" added to the end of file names. These are shortcuts that are being created after I have opened (in this case) a spreadsheet. As I step through spreadsheets to compare them I get several ".LNK" files created.

How do I set up a filter so that the ".LNK" files are not displayed?

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

Paul

[paulhurm]

So why do I always find what appears to be the answer *after* I post then go searching again???

Doing the search and adding "!LNK" at the end seems to work. (Without the quote marks)

Is this the best way? I want to be sure I don't somehow miss any results but initial testing seems to indicate that this works.

Thanks.

Paul

[froggie]

Doing the search and adding "!LNK" at the end seems to work. (Without the quote marks)

I

The filter I have been using for a while is

Code: Select all

 !e:\*.lnk

Obviously for drive e:, which is not necessary, but you should include the period.

Code: Select all

 !.lnk

[NotNull]

And in the exceptional case where you have .LNK in the filename itself (example: test.LNK.doc.zip ), you could also use:

Code: Select all

!ext:LNK

[searcher7]

You can also exclude certain file types from your index entirely.

go to Tools > Options > Indexes > Exclude > Exclude files: [bottom of window] and type in *.LNK

[paulhurm]

Thanks for the replies. This info will help.

I generally do not have really complicated searches so purposely try to avoid too many filters or changes to search defaults. I worry about making things worse for myself!

I do think that "!.lnk" will be the way to go for me to go. I also think I got a little lucky when I didn't have the period on my earlier try. OTOH, so far at least, my searches are simple enough that it did not skip anything.

(As a side question, is there a way in Win10 to NOT have the "LNK" files get created in the first case?)

I'm working on recovering from a lot of duplicate files that got dropped into various folders by a poorly executed backup routine. I am using Everything with fairly simple searches to find the files. One thing I did "right" was starting all file and folder names with a common set of letters to help identify the project. For instance, I am working on a World War 1 project dealing with several hundred photos my grandfather took during World War 1. I prefixed everything with his initials, PWH, which has helped tremendously. Now if I had only had a better backup process!!

Thanks again everyone.

Paul

[paulhurm]

Just an FYI, I also noticed that the LNK files that I wanted to ignore are in the RECENT folder. Since I am letting Everything search everywhere it picks those up.

So I may end up going into more detail and setting up a filter to ignore the RECENT folder.

Or maybe just stick with !.LNK.

Just some add on info for possible future use but I am set for now.

Thanks again all.

Paul

[NotNull]

(As a side question, is there a way in Win10 to NOT have the "LNK" files get created in the first case?)
Paul

These LNK files are used to keep track of your recently opened files and/or programs. (That's what you are gonna lose when you disable it)

It took me a while to find this setting on Win10 (still not used to the settings layout...)

On Win7 this was straightforward (in my head at least): right-click start button, Tab Start Menu and there disable the "Store ..." checkboxes
On Win 10: Goto Settings > Personalization > Start and there:
disable "Show recently opened items in Jump Lists on Start or the taskbar ... "

[paulhurm]

Thanks Notnull, I will play with that and see how it works for me.

Paul