Use the command prompt to search for a file

You can use the command prompt to search.
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Start - All Programs - Accessories - Right click Command Prompt and choose Run As Administrator. Type (or copy and paste by right clicking in the Command Prompt window and choosing Paste).

Search File Names

To search for a file in a folder.

dir c:\windows\shell32.dll

To search for a partial name in a folder

dir c:\windows\sh*.dll

To search the hard drive for a file and search for hidden files as well.

dir c:\shell32.dll /s /a

The first search will have to read the disk structure. This places the structure in the file cache. Second and subsequent searches will be run against the cached structure. This means the second and subsequent searchs are very, very quick.

For help

dir /?

Search File Contents

To search all ini files in a folder for exact text CodePage

findstr /c:"CodePage" c:\windows\*.ini

To search all ini files in a folder and it's sub folders for text Windows or System

findstr /s "Windows System" c:\windows\*.ini

For Help

findstr /?


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