Quicker way to select all files and/or curr drive for Find?

[j_c_hallgren]

Hopefully there may be a way that I don't recall/know that solves this:
Many times I wish to search using a name value of "*.*" and/or the current drive for location...right now, I use the drop-down to retrieve these values from prior use, but that means finding it in the drop-down where its location may have moved up/down since last use.

Could there be a quicker way to specify these values, that would maybe require only checking/unchecking a box? Now, when I uncheck the present "Apply name" box, the Location still applies, right? But the N&L tab is grayed out so it appears that neither applies...so is this a bug or wish?

[admin]

1. Ctrl+Home: goto current drive
2. Ctrl+F3: show all items in it

That what you meant?

And, yes: the location is always active even if the Name Filter is off. There cannot be a search without location to search, right? It would look a bit funky if I'd have "Name" black and "Location" blue in the tab header, or? I think we can live with it as it is.

[j_c_hallgren]

That what you meant?

Not quite! Suppose I've set up all my find filters except name/location...such as files created in last hour of 100kb min...and I want to to search entire C:\ but my location has a 4th level subfolder of it, so need to 'erase' it and change...so currently I go to location pull-down and click it, scroll till I locate my saved C:\ and then click it...which is what is needed when not using keyboard...I'd prefer to be able to do this a bit easier...same when I need to reset a prior name "*.pdf" to "*.*"

[admin]

Use the drives button in the toolbar?
Instead of "*.*" simply clear the Name field.

[j_c_hallgren]

I hadn't noticed that toolbar option!
However, using that then changes where my current tab is pointed to, thus loosing my "place", as I'm looking for some related files to be put in Search Results tab if found.
I was hoping for a checkbox, maybe called "Search entire drive", to be put after "follow folder links" under "location" entry box.

[j_c_hallgren]

Just bumping this as it (full drive selection)continues to be one of my most common irritations in doing a Find...when I'm in a given folder and want to stay there but do a search using entire drive C, it's quite inconvenient (IMO) to have to either clear and retype so auto-complete will finish or using pull-down to select it...

So at the right side of "Selected Locations" checkbox, as stated before, I'd like to see a "Entire drive" or similar titled checkbox that would:
1) Change entry in Location box to root of current tabs drive, or drive C if on Search Results tab when no other drive is selected in tree.
2) Reset to OFF when search is completed or aborted, thus not affecting the next pass without user re-select.

[jacky]

So at the right side of "Selected Locations" checkbox, as stated before, I'd like to see a "Entire drive" or similar titled checkbox that would:
1) Change entry in Location box to root of current tabs drive, or drive C if on Search Results tab when no other drive is selected in tree.
2) Reset to OFF when search is completed or aborted, thus not affecting the next pass without user re-select.

I don't beleive a checkbox as you descrive would be a very "natural" way to do such things. But thinking about it, I thought that maybe having either a button there that would popup a menu, unless it could be directly added to the Location's textbox ctxt menu, but having a way to get a menu that would list a few common places. And when clicking on one, the Location field would be replaced by the clicked location.

Listed locations could included things such as Drives, Tabs, Favorite Folders & Special System Folders.

[admin]

Just bumping this as it (full drive selection)continues to be one of my most common irritations in doing a Find...when I'm in a given folder and want to stay there but do a search using entire drive C, it's quite inconvenient (IMO) to have to either clear and retype so auto-complete will finish or using pull-down to select it...

If this is so common, why not make that drive(s) a catalog item or even a locked tab. Then select it, type your search pattern and Find Now.

A new idea would be a location with one or more blanks-to-fill! E.g. the location term C:\?<1> would pop up an input box where you enter a string (e.g. "*.txt") which will serve as the search pattern in this case, completing the term to "C:\?*.txt", and then run that search.
An example with 2 blanks: <1>?<2> First input box to state the location, second input box to state the pattern.
The numbers are not really needed of processing is always from left to right, so it could be C:\?<> and <>?<> .
Of course, instead of "<>" another char(s) could be found...
Get the idea?

[jacky]

Get the idea?

Yep, and I think it could be pretty cool. Even though, I don't know what jc based his searches on, but if they involved any other filter than name (eg. size & date) that won't do it for him. (But a locked Finding Tab would, that is if it's always the exact same searches (location & patterns) he's doing)

Although, regarding a somewhat similar idea :

Hi hi, now you're going bananas...

[j_c_hallgren]

If this is so common, why not make that drive(s) a catalog item or even a locked tab. Then select it, type your search pattern and Find Now.

I don't use locked tabs, and putting drive into Catalog would require more back-and-forth mouse movement (right side to left side and back), plus it would then alter the current location of tab which I'm trying to retain...

Your "idea" appears to be overkill for what I'm wishing...sorry!

The main thing that causes the problem is that "location" box value floats/updates to current selected folder...if it were able to be fixed/locked until changed by user request (click/type/checkbox, etc), then at least I'd be able to do global searches (my most common) a bit easier...however, that isn't ideal either and then having a button like jacky suggested isn't that different or better than the existing drop-down, it would seem...

So if instead of clicking on drop-down arrow (to get recently used), I was able to go to a checkbox below it, and click the box to set Name to current drive, that would be very efficient, IMO...it's kinda the extreme reverse of the "Include Subfolders" box, as I'd want to go all the way UP instead of down...
After all, I often go to the other checkboxes (filter/follow/etc) and set those before I do next search so having another one seems practical.

[jacky]

So if instead of clicking on drop-down arrow (to get recently used), I was able to go to a checkbox below it, and click the box to set Name to current drive, that would be very efficient, IMO...it's kinda the extreme reverse of the "Include Subfolders" box, as I'd want to go all the way UP instead of down...

Let me disagree here. For a few reasons, mainly because the "Include subfolders" is indeed an option for the find process; while what you're describing, through a checkbox, would be just a way of setting the location for the search you're about to start.
You even said that once the search is done the checkbox state should be re-initialized (ie. unchecked) so to have it work again next time, it must be checked again. That does not suits the usual way a checkbox works, which is an option, so either enabled or disbaled.

Hence my idea for a list of common places that could be useful, so one could fill the Location field with one of them quickly.

Another idea would be a checkbox, but for "Auto-update Location field with current one". Checked by default, to get the behavior as it is now, you could uncheck it so that your Location field isn't affected no more when changing location.
You'll then always have the last used one, and can change manually or through MRU for example. And enabling/checking it again would replace the Location field with current location, so it can be used as one wishes.
(But it would be a "real"/regular option. Once (un)set it is & stays that way until the user changes it.)

[j_c_hallgren]

Let me disagree here.

Another idea would be a checkbox, but for "Auto-update Location field with current one". Checked by default, to get the behavior as it is now, you could uncheck it so that your Location field isn't affected no more when changing location.

Polite disagreements like this help create a better product in many cases! And upon reflection, I'll agree with your contention about option should be fixed until changed...

You've morphed my idea into a slight variant of "if it were able to be fixed/locked until changed by user request "...and one which I would agree seems to satify my needs...given the current space available for caption, I'd maybe shorten it to something like "Use current" or "Auto Update"...

It should replace the Location entry with current at the time when it is unchecked, so you'd not have to type it in should you change your mind, and by default, be set to YES, keeping behavior as is now.

[lukescammell]

Sounds good guys

[admin]

It should replace the Location entry with current at the time when it is unchecked, so you'd not have to type it in should you change your mind, and by default, be set to YES, keeping behavior as is now.

unchecked? you mean checked? or did i not get it?

[j_c_hallgren]

Two values are:
Yes/On/checked (default at install ) = Auto-update location to match tab
No/Off/unchkd = Leave location as is and do not change

When switching from No to Yes, it should then 'plop' current tab loc into Location, so that user won't have to do anything else (like type it in).