Windows XP Indexing Service: escape #, ! or @ ?

Question

Open the search side bar in Windows explorer (Ctrl + F). In the field labeled, "A word or phrase in the file:" enter a query starting with #, ! or @ that you expect to return some results.

I get the following error: The Indexing Service query cannot be completed successfully because the volumes you have specified are not indexed

Is there a way to escape these characters so the search will go through? I know about Agent Ransack and command line solutions, etc. but I'm wondering if there's an easy way to make Windows work as it's supposed to.

Answer 1

Are you sure you've got the Indexing Service turned on? I only get the "query cannot be completed successfully because the volumes you have specified are not indexed" error when the service is turned off.

Have a look in Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services, right-click "Indexing Service" and select Start.

Alternatively, from the search pane itself, click "Change preferences", then "With Indexing Service", then "Yes, enable Indexing Service".

Answer 2

This is most likely becuase the Indexing Service is turned off. To turn it on from the Explorer search bar, you can do:

1. Go back to the What do you want to search for? panel
2. Click Change Preferences at the bottom of the panel
3. Click With Indexing Service (for faster local searches)
4. Click Yes, enable the Indexing Service, then click OK

You may have to wait a little while for the index to build (if you try your search again, it may fail as indexing is not complete). But eventually, it should work as expected.