Search With Windows Explorer Does Not Find File "hosts"

[tb]

I am using Windows 7 Professional, 64-bit, SP1.

I can see hidden files with Windows Explorer: The radio button for
Tools->Folder Options->View->Show hidden files, folders and drives is
selected.

My indexing options for drive c:\ are such that _all folders and all
directories_ are selected for indexing.

I know for sure that my "hosts" file esists and is located in
c:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc.

And yet, when I launch Windows Explorer and do a search for file
"hosts" (w/o quotes, of course!), nothing comes up! (i.e. I get a:
No-items-match-your-search message.)

What am I doing wrong?

I think I solved the problem...

I pulled up the Indexing Options screen, clicked the Advanced button
and then clicked the Rebuild button.

It took the computer several hours to rebuild the index but now the
Windows Explorer search function is able to find the "hosts" file.

Does anyone know if when running CCleaner (default settings) it deletes
the indexing files in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search ?

 

[Char Jackson]

Hi, G.


That's "etc", not "ect".

And, no, it doesn't stand for "et cetera". I can't recall what the initials
are for (probably NOT Electronic Technology Clues <g>), and every time I
search for "etc" I get "et cetera". :>( Bingling for etc -""et cetera'"
gets me closer, but I don't think Employment Training Centre" is what we're
looking for, either.

But SOMEBODY in this computer-savvy newsgroup should be able to inform us
all. What does "etc" mean, in the context of the Hosts file?

My guess is that it's either "et cetera" or Editable Text
Configuration.

My views have been blatantly stolen from here:
<http://www.aboutlinux.info/2007/03/what-does-etc-stands-for-in-linuxunix.html>

 

[Ken Blake]

Hi, G.


That's "etc", not "ect".

And, no, it doesn't stand for "et cetera". I can't recall what the initials
are for (probably NOT Electronic Technology Clues <g>), and every time I
search for "etc" I get "et cetera". :>( Bingling for etc -""et cetera'"
gets me closer, but I don't think Employment Training Centre" is what we're
looking for, either.

But SOMEBODY in this computer-savvy newsgroup should be able to inform us
all. What does "etc" mean, in the context of the Hosts file?

RC, I'm almost sure that it *does* stand for "et cetera," in the sense
that it's something else besides the other files in System32.

 

[Paul]

I think I solved the problem...

I pulled up the Indexing Options screen, clicked the Advanced button
and then clicked the Rebuild button.

It took the computer several hours to rebuild the index but now the
Windows Explorer search function is able to find the "hosts" file.

Does anyone know if when running CCleaner (default settings) it deletes
the indexing files in C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Search ?

It would be a mistake if it did.

You don't want that Indexer running, more than it has to.

I think the Indexer invalidates the index, after a long period
of time. And that's to cover the possibility of it getting out
of sync. Normally, it would rely on file system hooks to stay
in sync. It would only be abnormal conditions, that would cause
it to go out of sync (like adding or removing files, while running
using another OS).

And your "hosts" file should have been there from day one. It's
not like it just parachuted into the computer yesterday...

Paul

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

The default
setting to hide extensions is actually very dangerous, even for newbies, in
my opinion.

The only change I'd make: *especially* for newbies

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

RC, I'm almost sure that it *does* stand for "et cetera," in the sense
that it's something else besides the other files in System32.

That's what I always thought. Well, not besides System32, but besides
/bin and so on (no pun desired) in *nix.

 

[Char Jackson]

It would be a mistake if it did.

You don't want that Indexer running, more than it has to.

I think the Indexer invalidates the index, after a long period
of time. And that's to cover the possibility of it getting out
of sync. Normally, it would rely on file system hooks to stay
in sync. It would only be abnormal conditions, that would cause
it to go out of sync (like adding or removing files, while running
using another OS).

And your "hosts" file should have been there from day one. It's
not like it just parachuted into the computer yesterday...

I'm sure the hosts file is right where it belongs on every Win 7
system, but the indexing and search defaults don't include the folders
under \Windows, so it doesn't show up.

 

[tb]

It would be a mistake if it did.

You don't want that Indexer running, more than it has to.

I think the Indexer invalidates the index, after a long period
of time. And that's to cover the possibility of it getting out
of sync. Normally, it would rely on file system hooks to stay
in sync. It would only be abnormal conditions, that would cause
it to go out of sync (like adding or removing files, while running
using another OS).

And your "hosts" file should have been there from day one. It's
not like it just parachuted into the computer yesterday...

Paul

I periodically run CCleaner. My theory was that maybe the utility
deletes the files index thus making it impossible for me to find the
"hosts" file yesterday. This would also explain why the file was found
by the search function today, i.e. after having rebuild the index.

Just a theory...

 

[meerkat]

I periodically run CCleaner. My theory was that maybe the utility
deletes the files index thus making it impossible for me to find the
"hosts" file yesterday. This would also explain why the file was found
by the search function today, i.e. after having rebuild the index.

Just a theory...

Hi tb I run CC every night when I`ve finished usibg my machine,
and I`ve never lost my Hosts file.
best wishes.

 

[...winston]

"R. C. White" wrote in message

That's "etc", not "ect".

And, no, it doesn't stand for "et cetera". I can't recall what the initials
are for (probably NOT Electronic Technology Clues <g>), and every time I
search for "etc" I get "et cetera". :>( Bingling for etc -""et cetera'"
gets me closer, but I don't think Employment Training Centre" is what we're
looking for, either.

But SOMEBODY in this computer-savvy newsgroup should be able to inform us
all. What does "etc" mean, in the context of the Hosts file?
Carryover from Unix
Extended Tool Chest = etc

 

[Robin Bignall]

Hi tb I run CC every night when I`ve finished usibg my machine,
and I`ve never lost my Hosts file.
best wishes.

If you start CCleaner it tells you on the left what files it's going to
clean, and what it's not unless you tick them. I don't see any index
files except in IE.

 

[Dave-UK]

If you start CCleaner it tells you on the left what files it's going to
clean, and what it's not unless you tick them. I don't see any index
files except in IE.

But on the Application tab MS Search is listed.
I suspect it's just the search history though.

 

[...winston]

"Char Jackson" wrote in message

I'm sure the hosts file is right where it belongs on every Win 7
system, but the indexing and search defaults don't include the folders
under \Windows, so it doesn't show up.

No.
\Windows
- doesn't need to be an indexed location to find the hosts file
- it should still locate the file and in almost all cases throw up a message (Searches might be slow in non-indexed locations)

Search (defaults)
- indexed locations search filename and contents, non-index search filenames
- subfolders included when searching in file folders
- partial matches found
- system directories searched when searching non-indexed locations

i.e. hosts should be found without \Windows being indexed or using the default Search settings.

Search

 

[R. C. White]

Hi, Winston.

Thank you! But I'll probably forget and have to ask again some day. ;^}

Bing never heard of the phrase, "Extended Tool Chest", but Google found
nearly 20,000 hits.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP (2002-2010)
Windows Live Mail 2012 (Build 16.4.3503.0728)) in Win8 (RTM Ent Eval)


"...winston" wrote in message
"R. C. White" wrote in message

That's "etc", not "ect".

And, no, it doesn't stand for "et cetera". I can't recall what the initials
are for (probably NOT Electronic Technology Clues <g>), and every time I
search for "etc" I get "et cetera". :>( Bingling for etc -""et cetera'"
gets me closer, but I don't think Employment Training Centre" is what we're
looking for, either.

But SOMEBODY in this computer-savvy newsgroup should be able to inform us
all. What does "etc" mean, in the context of the Hosts file?
Carryover from Unix
Extended Tool Chest = etc

 

[Char Jackson]

"Char Jackson" wrote in message




No.
\Windows
- doesn't need to be an indexed location to find the hosts file
- it should still locate the file and in almost all cases throw up a message (Searches might be slow in non-indexed locations)

Search (defaults)
- indexed locations search filename and contents, non-index search filenames
- subfolders included when searching in file folders
- partial matches found
- system directories searched when searching non-indexed locations

i.e. hosts should be found without \Windows being indexed or using the default Search settings.

Search

I can't duplicate that here on three Win 7 Ultimate 64bit systems.

 

[Robin Bignall]

But on the Application tab MS Search is listed.
I suspect it's just the search history though.

There is extensive documentation on the Piriform site but I can't find
any mention of Search.

 

[G. Morgan]

Hi, Winston.

Thank you! But I'll probably forget and have to ask again some day. ;^}

Bing never heard of the phrase, "Extended Tool Chest", but Google found
nearly 20,000 hits.

On a Bing hit "Extended Tool Chest Linux":

Got this-
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki//root

"Host-specific system-wide configuration files:

There has been controversy over the meaning of the name itself. In early
versions of the UNIX Implementation Document from Bell labs, /etc is
referred to as the etcetera directory, as this directory historically
held everything that did not belong elsewhere (however, the FHS
restricts /etc to static configuration files and may not contain
binaries). Since the publication of early documentation, the directory
name has been re-designated in various ways. Recent interpretations
include backronyms such as "Editable Text Configuration" or "Extended
Tool Chest"


Geeze... all this over a typo!

 

[...winston]

RC
You're welcome. I remember asking the same question quite a few decades ago and got about 3 different answers (from the same
person).

It's like acronyms and abbreviations where accuracy of meaning in certain contexts can be debated without agreement.

I remember my aerospace engineer daughter using the term FO in a conversation. My first thought (probably from having read too many
Sgt. Rock comic books) was First Officer then thought since it could be aero related it could be Flight Officer or Fly-Over or
Flying Object; being an engineer - Flow Orifice or Fiber Optic, being a baseball fan - Foul Out, the lawyer/business side of me
would think Financial Officer.

Never did ask, for all I know it could have been about Flipping Off someone ! <g>


--
....winston
msft mvp mail


"R. C. White" wrote in message
Hi, Winston.

Thank you! But I'll probably forget and have to ask again some day. ;^}

Bing never heard of the phrase, "Extended Tool Chest", but Google found
nearly 20,000 hits.

RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
(e-mail address removed)
Microsoft Windows MVP (2002-2010)
Windows Live Mail 2012 (Build 16.4.3503.0728)) in Win8 (RTM Ent Eval)


"...winston" wrote in message
"R. C. White" wrote in message

That's "etc", not "ect".

And, no, it doesn't stand for "et cetera". I can't recall what the initials
are for (probably NOT Electronic Technology Clues <g>), and every time I
search for "etc" I get "et cetera". :>( Bingling for etc -""et cetera'"
gets me closer, but I don't think Employment Training Centre" is what we're
looking for, either.

But SOMEBODY in this computer-savvy newsgroup should be able to inform us
all. What does "etc" mean, in the context of the Hosts file?
Carryover from Unix
Extended Tool Chest = etc

 

[...winston]

Works fine here on Win7 32/64 and Win8 64 bit.



--
....winston
msft mvp mail


"Char Jackson" wrote in message

"Char Jackson" wrote in message




No.
\Windows
- doesn't need to be an indexed location to find the hosts file
- it should still locate the file and in almost all cases throw up a message (Searches might be slow in non-indexed locations)

Search (defaults)
- indexed locations search filename and contents, non-index search filenames
- subfolders included when searching in file folders
- partial matches found
- system directories searched when searching non-indexed locations

i.e. hosts should be found without \Windows being indexed or using the default Search settings.

Search

I can't duplicate that here on three Win 7 Ultimate 64bit systems.

 

[Andy Burns]

"R. C. White" wrote in message

And, no, it doesn't stand for "et cetera".
But SOMEBODY in this computer-savvy newsgroup should be able to inform us
all. What does "etc" mean, in the context of the Hosts file?

Carryover from Unix
Extended Tool Chest = etc

That's a backronym, /etc *is* an abbreviation for 'et cetera', just like
/bin is an abbrevoation of 'binary' and /lib is an abbreviation for
'library'.

Anyone have a copy of the original Bell Labs UNIX docs, or the 1984
Kernighan/Pike book "The UNIX Programming Environment"?