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Start screen doesn't search shortcuts (lnk files)


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#1 iron2000

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Posted 18 November 2012 - 06:51

The search in my copy of Win 8 can't seem to find any shortcuts except those in the Start Menu folder.
Using the search in the Start screen.

I did this to test:
1) Create a shortcut at an indexed location thats not the Start Menu folders
2) I waited a bit and notice the item count in the "Indexing Options" increase by one
3) Went to search for the shortcut at the Start screen search

And I can't find the shortcut.
Not in Files, can't be in Apps and Settings.

I tried the search in Start8 and Pokki too but it seems that they use the Win 8 search as well.

What does work is the search field at the top right of the File Explorer, Launchy works too.
And also it worked in Win 7 as well.

Maybe someone can try the steps to confirm this?


#2 OP iron2000

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Posted 20 November 2012 - 14:37

No response?

#3 OP iron2000

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Posted 28 November 2012 - 12:45

No one can try?

#4 DudeBro

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Posted 28 November 2012 - 15:25

Confirmed. Lnk shortcut files don't show. Fortunately, I don't use Windows Search. Maybe try Everything or Locate32? They're better for file searching.

Googled around and found your question and the canned answer on the microsoft site. Funny.

#5 OP iron2000

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Posted 29 November 2012 - 13:49

Thanks DudeBro!

Finally someone confirmed it!
I'm using Launchy now, skinable UI and it really search the filetypes you catalog.

Hope they fix/reinsert this function in coming patches or that 'Blue' update.
Until that theres no use for the Start screen or the Start menu replacements.

#6 UXGaurav

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Posted 01 December 2012 - 13:32

Start screen doesn't return in search a lot of stuff. Outlook emails don't show. Folders in your document folders don't show. Many things like network path results that show up in Explorer search don't show in the Start screen. It's a half-baked POS.

#7 Azimah Nazry

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Posted 03 May 2013 - 04:09

View Postiron2000, on 18 November 2012 - 06:51, said:

The search in my copy of Win 8 can't seem to find any shortcuts except those in the Start Menu folder.
Using the search in the Start screen.
I did this to test:
1) Create a shortcut at an indexed location thats not the Start Menu folders


How exactly you know that the location is an indexed location and not the start menu? I believe you need to index the location first before you can search with start screen.

By the way, there I found not problem with the search.

#8 OP iron2000

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Posted 03 May 2013 - 13:30

View PostAzimah Nazry, on 03 May 2013 - 04:09, said:

How exactly you know that the location is an indexed location and not the start menu? I believe you need to index the location first before you can search with start screen.
Posted Image
Yup, the location is indexed but not a Start Menu folder.
I set what folders to index so of course I know they are not Start Menu folders.

View PostAzimah Nazry, on 03 May 2013 - 04:09, said:

By the way, there I found not problem with the search.

Just tried again.
Shortcuts I placed in the 'Programs' folder still don't show up in Start screen search.

Worked fine with Start Menu search in Windows 7, indexed the folders the same way too.
Anyway its fine if Microsoft don't fix it, I'm fine without the Start screen and using Launchy.
Windows 8 is still usable.