How can i search for everything NOT xxxx

General discussion related to "Everything".
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klepp0906
Posts: 51
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 6:25 pm

How can i search for everything NOT xxxx

Post by klepp0906 »

Specifically trying to search a directory for everything not a particular file extension.

Also curious if its possible to use everything to search a directory for any empty directories/folders within.

thank you for any time/help :)
void
Developer
Posts: 16751
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: How can i search for everything NOT xxxx

Post by void »

To search a specific directory, include the directory path with a trailing backslash in your search.

For example:

c:\windows\
"c:\Program files\"

Use double quotes to escape spaces.



To exclude a certain extension, please try the NOT operator: !

For example, to exclude *.tmp, include the following in your search:

!*.tmp

To exclude *.tmp and *.db, include the following in your search:

!ext:tmp;db

ext:



If you don't want to search subfolders, please try the parent: search function.
For example:

parent:c:\windows
parent:"c:\program files"

Only files/folders directly under the specified path are listed.

parent:



If you want to find empty folders, include the following in your search:

empty:

For example, to find empty folders in C:\program files, search for:

"c:\program files\" empty:

empty:
klepp0906
Posts: 51
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 6:25 pm

Re: How can i search for everything NOT xxxx

Post by klepp0906 »

perfect! tyvm for your help as usual! it never ceases to amaze me what you can accomplish with this.
klepp0906
Posts: 51
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2019 6:25 pm

Re: How can i search for everything NOT xxxx

Post by klepp0906 »

excluding extensions worked perfectly for me, but i cant seem to get the empty folder to work. shows me all folders with things in them.

note: not sure if drivepool would have any interaction with this, but I know it can cause some weird behavior with some things so I figured id mention it.

this is what is in my search bar, i'm trying to find any folders with nothing in them that reside in the P:\Movies folder
"P:\Movies\" empty:
void
Developer
Posts: 16751
Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 11:31 pm

Re: How can i search for everything NOT xxxx

Post by void »

empty: will find folders that are empty in your index (not on disk).

Please try forcing a rebuild to see if it helps:
  • In Everything, from the Tools menu, click Options.
  • Click the Indexes tab on the left.
  • Click Force Rebuild.
  • Click OK.
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