windows search not finding things in various types of files

windows search not finding things in various types of files. So far I have seen problems in txt, and bak file types. Yes I have gone to index options, advance, file types tab, selected index properties and file contents for bak and txt file types. I have rebuilt the index.

I have done all these steps.

• Configure Indexing Options: Search for "Indexing Options" in the Start menu. Click Modify and ensure the locations/folders containing your text files are selected.
• Enable Content Indexing: In the Indexing Options window, click Advanced -> File Types tab. Scroll to find ".txt" (or desired extensions) and ensure Index Properties and File Contents is selected.
• Rebuild the Search Index: If searching still fails, go to Indexing Options -> Advanced -> Rebuild (under Troubleshooting). This may take some time.
• Enable File Contents Search: Open File Explorer, click the three dots (...) or View menu, select Options, and go to the Search tab. Check the box for "Always search file names and contents".
• Run Search Troubleshooter: Go to Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters and run the Search and Indexing troubleshooter.
• Check Folder Settings: If searching in a specific folder fails, right-click that folder, choose Properties -> Advanced, and ensure "Allow files in this folder to have contents indexed..." is checked.

The troubleshooter was missing so then I followed these steps.
If the
Search and Indexing troubleshooter is missing in Windows 11, you can launch it manually by opening Command Prompt as administrator and running the command: msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic. Alternatively, restart the SearchHost.exe process via Task Manager or use the Indexing Options in the Control Panel to rebuild the search index.

How to Fix Missing Search and Indexing Troubleshooter:

• Run via Command Prompt (Fastest):
  1. Press Windows Key + R, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open as Administrator.
  2. Type msdt.exe -ep WindowsHelp id SearchDiagnostic and hit Enter.
• Restart Search Service:
  1. Press Windows Key + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
  2. Locate Windows Search, right-click it, and select Restart.
• Restart SearchHost.exe:
  1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and select Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Details tab, right-click SearchHost.exe, and select End task.
• Rebuild Search Index:
  1. Open the Start menu, type "Indexing Options" and select it.
  2. Click Advanced, then click Rebuild under the Troubleshooting section.
• Run System File Checker (SFC):
  1. In an elevated Command Prompt, run sfc /scannow to repair potential missing system files.

I would use Everything search. Much faster then Explorer search and finds everything as the name says.

"Everything" looks like a good option. I've been using Agent Ransack for ever (also called File Locator Pro or Lite)

It is unfortunately a business computer so my options are limited.

Unfortunately, search options in recent versions of Windows has been flawed for some years - hit-and-miss results, at best

Some of the troubleshooting options indicated above are Admin level so it would suggest that even though it's a business device, it's not all that secured. Installing a 3rd party search option should be possible
- Everything
- Ultrasearch
- Agent Ransack

Are you searching using the taskbar search box or the search box in Explorer? The latter is really what you should use to reliably find files.

If you are using the Explorer search box, please provide an example of a search that failed (i.e. what you typed in the search box) and also, if possible, attach a TXT file that should have been found.