Finder search does nothing, neither does spotlight

Hi,
I've only had this Mac (iMac-20) since Christmas and the search features don't seem to work. I type in a file that I know exists, and there are no results. Nothing. Zip.
I know how to use the search feature - I use a Mac at work (it's a Mac mini) and use it to find files all the time. But my iMac here at home doesn't seem to respond to the search at all. Any ideas? Thanks!

Hi planomom:
Welcome to Apple discussions.
I would reindex the drive and see if the problem is fixed:
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=301562
Barry

Similar Messages

  • Finder search does not find all files

    Hi,
    I am doing a search in Finder and files missing from the results.
    I am searching for "silverlight" in "This Mac" in the "File Name". The results give me one file "Silverlight.plugin" in the following folder "Macintosh HD/Library/Internet Plug-Ins".
    However there is also another folder in "Macintosh HD/Library/Application Support/Microsoft" with name "Silverlight".
    Also there is another folder in "Macintosh HD/Users/[USERNAME]/Library/Application Support/Microsoft" with name "Silverlight".
    Why finder does not find in search these files/folders? Any idea?
    Thanks

    this happens because system files are not included in default finder searches. I'm not sure why it even found the first file. you may have started the search from inside the main library folder somewhere.
    anyway, to include system files in a search do the following
    in finder enter command+f to start a finder search. click on "Kind", hold the mouse button, scroll and click on "other". in the resulting popup select "system files" and include them in the search. then all instances of Silverlight will be found.

  • Finder search not the same as Spotlight

    When I use Spotlight, my word files (.doc) files show up
    under the "Documents" group. But when I do the same search in Finder, the
    word files show up under "Other," and the only file that shows up in
    the "Documents" is a txt file.
    This is a new computer and I only have two doc files, but I would think that word documents would be categorized as a "Document" group.

    Hi, jmoon —
    Please accept a warm welcome to Apple Discussions!
    As far as I know, what you're calling a "Finder search" (⌘-F)   is  a Spotlight tool ——> essentially, a more fine-tuned" version. So please forgive if I'm "answering" the "wrong question"   below —
    Are you using the (⌘-F) »» "other" (= "select a search attribute") »» "Creator" (= "Application used to create the document") &/or »» "Name extension" setting?
    I'm by no means "expert"  in the peccadilloes of Spotlight or (⌘-F) — so I did a quick < ">Spotlight forum in an effort to help.
    Rather than regurgitate, I'll link a few threads that seem promising:
     (1) odysseus's thread, "Spotlight won't index Word files w/o .doc extension-solved!" In it, he references a MacNN thread on the topic.
     (2) A discussion in Michael Hesson's thread, "Can't find .doc docs?" — where eventually using a smart folder seemed to help...
     (3) Laurie Leonard's thread, "Changing extensions so Spotlight works better." Francine Schwieder links to a helpful AppleScript for making batch-name-changes... Unfortunately, this approach apparently worked only for 1994 – 1998 Word files. (Duh?)
    Btw, if you don't mind —I'm curious about a couple of things. When you "Get Info" on one of your ".doc" files, is "Name & Extension" »» "Hide extension" selected? Also, does toggling "Document" — or dragging to modify its order — in the System Preferences »» Spotlight »»Search Results make any difference?
    Does this help?
    Looking forward to hearing back from you!
    Regards,
    Dean
          I edited this message...
    [1,965 ⊥ 3,355]

  • Finder searches return nothing

    when i search for a file under spotlight, results appear, but when I click "show all in finder", nothing appears in the finder. similarly, searches in the finder directly return nothing. thoughts?

    Certain things are not included in "All my Files", I think some of these things include apps, internet history, etc. I would suggest you just use spotlight, it includes more.

  • IPhoto 08: why Finder search does not include pictures in `iPhoto Library`?

    If I try and search with Finder for all the images in my HD, there is apparently no way to make it show the pictures contained in the iPhoto Library directory...why?
    Of course, if I start search INSIDE the iPhoto Library it will show them.......
    It seems like the iPhoto Library directory is somehow 'different' and kept hidden, forcing you to use iPhoto directly.
    Any hint on this and possibile workaround in finder?
    thank you
    Panoma

    Just got my new MacPro a week ago and had not yet launched iPhoto 08, so I just now did that, authorized it to update the iPhoto stuff already in my account, then dinked around with some things. Changed one photo, deleted some stuff, and so on. Then quit the program. I just did a Spotlight seach on the photo I had altered and it showed up just fine. A command click on the title in the Spotlight results opened up the folder the photo is now in:
    "/Users/francine/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Modified/2007/Pine Lake Resort/titlePLRF_2.psd"
    Must admit I was a bit startled by the fact that the iPhoto Library is no longer showing as a folder. Nonetheless its contents do seem to be updated--I imported two photos from an external drive, and they immediately showed up in Spotlight as being in the iPhoto Library.
    So the only thing I can suggest is that you try to get Spotlight to re-index your iPhoto Library. You do this by opening the Spotlight pane in System Preferences. Make sure there is a check mark in front of Images, the click the Privacy tab and add your iPhoto Library to the list, you can just drag and drop it into the list. Wait a minute, then select it in the Privacy list and click the minus button to remove it. Spotlight should start re-indexing it.
    Francine
    Francine
    Schwieder

  • Finder Search in Mountain Lion -- broken?

    Since upgrading to Mountain Lion yesterday, my Finder Search does not operate the way it used to and I'm not getting the right results anymore.  I have already forced Spotlight to reindex by adding the entire drive and a disk image file to Privacy, and then removing them from Privacy.  Reindexing took about 45 minutes, but now it says it is done reindexing.  I have these same two issues both before and after the reindex.
    If I have Finder displaying the files in the disk image and type a few letters for a filename (e.g., name matches great) in the search box, Finder Search cannot find the files in the disk image even though I can plainly see they are there.
    I have Finder pointing to the entire main drive.  I search for name matches quiz.  I get 10 results, including 3 in the RE Class folder, plus seven others.  But, if I point Finder to the RE Class folder on the main drive, and do the same search, it shows me those three files (as it should), and if I click the button above the search results for "This Mac" to expand the search, it displays only those same three in the RE Class folder, and "Searching This Mac..." appears with a spinner at the bottom of Finder ... forever? About 20 minutes so far... (This used to be instantaneous.)  It cannot find all the other matching files it previously showed me are in multiple locations on the main drive.
    Can someone tell me how to fix this?  Thank you.

    Based upon my test results below, Apple Support has escalated this to the engineers for resolution.  It appears that the presence of any mounted DMG file is what precipitates the problem, and the problem goes away if I close the DMG, but I can't really search in my DMG files until this gets fixed.
    <quoting my test results:>
    I have done more testing this morning.
    I had always worked with the Finder Preference > Advanced > When performing a search = Search the Current Folder.  I changed this back to Search This Mac before conducting the following tests.
    My conclusion is that the presence of any open DMG is causing the problem.  Other connected drives (external) don't have any bearing; they work fine.
    Test 1, with no DMG open:
    Pointing to the David home folder.
    Search Name=Dad
              This Mac=58
              Davidn=23
              This Mac=58
              David=23
    This is as expected.  The counts include files from an external hard drive, together with the internal drive.
    Test 2, with a DMG (Personal) open:
    Pointing to the David home folder. 
    Search Name=Dad
              This Mac=45  (Note that this number is lower than in test 1, and it should be higher by 3 because of the files in the DMG.  Expected count was 61.)
              David=23
              This Mac = <spinner>  (Expected 61)
              <cancel>
    Test 3, with the DMG still open:
    Search Name=Dad
              This Mac = 0  (Expected 61)
              David = 23
              This Mac = <spinner>  (Expected 61)
              <cancel>
    At this point, I closed the DMG.
    Test 4, with no DMG open:
    Search Name=Dad          This Mac=58
              David=23
              This Mac=58
              David=23
    This is as expected.  The counts include files from an external hard drive, together with the internal drive.
    In addition, the tests I conducted yesterday, where I was directly searching in the DMG, remain the same: The first time the result is correct, and after that I only get beach balls.
    Note that the DMG used for this test (Personal) is only 1 MB in size, and contains only 12 items in the root -- not a lot of searching to do.  I have tried to force Spotlight to reindex this file by moving it into and out of Privacy.  I never notice Spotlight do anything about that, but maybe it is too small to be noticeable.

  • Show hidden files in finder search results

    I discovered my backup HD was rapidly full because of After Effects Cache folder hughe size.
    I fixed it in CCC to not to backup that directory but I need to remove all the old ones.
    I am able to see them under Users/Library.......  (hidden by default). I also have deleted some 50Gb AE cache folders.
    But I have a lot of folders.
    I've tried to search all of them 'Adobe After Effects Disk Cache' but finder search does not display them. I also tried Terminal 'locate' on /Volume/HDbackup, no results
    Thanks

    Hi Viking, thanks for your help.
    The purpose to get them in Finder search result is to select them all and send them to trash at once.
    To test your commands I changed
    '~' by /Volumes/....../_CCC\ Archives  and '.*' by 'Adobe After Effects Disk Cache'
    I got lots of 'permission denied'
    I also tried
    find -x  ~  -name 'Adobe After Effects Disk Cache' \( -type d -exec find {} \; -prune -o -print \) 2>&1 > hidden.txt
    where it is supposed to find one result but hidden.txt was empty
    'Adobe After Effects Disk Cache' is a directory
    What do you suggest?
    Thank you

  • Is there a way to include library items in a finder search?

    Is there a way to include library items in a finder search?

    Which Library? Spotlight has a search criteria option that allows you to add system files and folders, including invisible ones. Click on the Desktop, CMD+F. In the window that pops up, click on the Action button, and select Show Search Criteria. For more on those, see http://www.macworld.com/article/2016043/mac-101-smart-searching.html for starters.
    27" i7 iMac (Mid 2011) refurb, OS X Yo (10.10.1), Mavs, ML & SL, G4 450 MP w/10.5 & 9.2.2

  • My hard drive icon is gone from desk top and does not show up in spotlight or finder searches!

    Hi there
    recently my hard drive icon has disappeared from my Macbook Pro (10.7.4) desk top and does not show up in spotlight or finder searches! I have tried several fixes posted online for earlier operating systems with no luck.
    Also, when I connect my external hard drive the icon does not appear on the desl top nor in the finder either, making looking for documents impossible.
    Help!!!
    Thanks in advance!
    Marni

    In "finder" click "finder" then "preferences" and navigate to the "general" tab. 
    Select which items you would like to have show on your desktop.

  • Does Spotlight index/search Aperture keywords?

    I can't seem to find a definitive answer anywhere:
    Does Spotlight (OS X 10.5) index and search keywords that are assigned in Aperture? IOW: is the Aperture library indexed?
    I recently bought Aperture and have imported thousands of photos into various Projects. I've been adding new keywords (all my files are referenced to their original place on the filesystem) but when I go to do a Spotlight search or create a SavedSearch/Smart Folder none of the images I've tagged in Aperture appear in the results.
    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks--
    PP
    Message was edited by: ppmax

    This is a simple question that can be answered with one word: either yes or no
    Thanks much--

  • Where does Spotlight search??

    I have a file located in ~/Library/Favorites/. If I search (Cmd-F) for the filename Spotlight will find the file if my search starts in
    ~/Library/Favorites/ or
    ~/Library/
    but not if my search starts in
    ~ or
    "This Mac"
    What's the deal? Is this some Preference that I'm missing? I tried adding ~/Library to the Spotlight System Preferences Search Results tab by dragging the folder from the Finder over there, but no go. Does Spotlight only search stuff listed here? Is there some way to add more stuff? What is the category labeled "Folders"? I read the meager Help, but it didn't.

    That was helpful. Pasting the relevant information form the MacRumors forum posting by macguysoft below. Too bad spotlight makes it sooo difficult.
    Step 1: Go to the Finder Search (Command + F or File > Find)
    Step 2: Click on the "Kind" drop-down menu and click on other.
    Note: If you don't see this pop up button, then make click on the "+" button right after Save.
    Step 3: You'll see a dialog pop up and find System files. Once there, select the checkbox. Now go back to the search Window by clicking on the OK button.
    Step 4 Make sure that the System files is selected in the first drop down menu. Now proceed to the Second drop down menu and select "include".
    Now you can search for all your system files but don't expect for this to work with spotlight. Furthermore, you'll have to manually do this every time (only step 4 actually) you wish to search for something in your system. Hope this helps!
    Message was edited by: RichardF

  • The search function in the itunes store does not work.  It will accept a request and suggest searches but then it locks up and will not search.  Clicking on the magnifying glass or a suggested search does nothing.  Re-installing itunes has not helped.

    The search function in the itunes store does not work.  It will accept a request and suggest searches but then it locks up and will not search.  Clicking on the magnifying glass or a suggested search does nothing.  Re-installing itunes has not helped.

    everything you stated here is exactly what i have done and have got nowhere. i have windows 7 64 bit on a hp 8 g of ram desktop. im also looking for help

  • Does the 10.5.7 update address command+f finder search issues?

    Does the 10.5.7 update address command+f finder search issues?
    Search has been horrible under 10.5 in that it does not reliably find FOLDERS on network drives, only file names.
    Even when I am looking directly at a folder and I search for it will not appear in the command+f window.
    Also the stupidity of not allowing a specific search location.
    Has this been addressed? I have, at any given time, 3-4 mounted servers.
    I do not have a choice now to search a specific hard drive.
    10.4.11 gave me the option under "OTHERS" to select a specific place to search.
    The only choice I have in 10.5.2 is "SHARED". Which searches all drives when I only want to search one. Nor do I have a choice of searching just one of my two internal drives.
    I talked with Chris in apple engineering several months ago, who acknowledged that search problems are a known issue under 10.5 and this was being addressed but have not heard any more. I don't want to download an update unless these broken search issues have been fixed. This is a production machine and I cannot have downtime in the Dept.

    Have you filed a bug report or enhancement request with Apple?
    http://bugreport.apple.com/

  • Does Spotlight on Mac allow us to add a website to search results for Spotlight?

    Does Spotlight on Mac allow us to add a website to search results for Spotlight?

    In System Preferences>Spotlight you can check the box that includes Bing Web searches in the Spotlight search results.
    Also see:
    http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/10/24/getting-the-most-out-of-the-revamped-o s-x-spotlight-search-in-yosemite

  • When i click on 'Show all in Finder' after searching for anything on spotlight, NOTHING happens! No Finder window opens up and the spotlight dropdown menu just shuts! Please help!

    When i click on 'Show all in Finder' after searching for anything on spotlight, NOTHING happens! NO Finder window opens up and the spotlight dropdown menu just shuts! Please help!

    I'm having the same problem in other places as well, for example when i downloaded Easyfind right now, clicking the small magnifying glass button on the right of the file name (shown below) would usually open up finder highlighting the file, but now nothing happens when i click on that button!
    Is there a solution for this, as this was a very useful feature which i used ALL the time?

Maybe you are looking for