How do I stop the program searching temporary Microsoft Office files like ~$AA_File.docx?

Question

When searching through folders I sometimes get warnings like:

Primary search method failed, raw data search used. Unknown file format...

Most of the time these files are Microsoft Office temporary files that are usually deleted when the document is closed but not always, e.g.

~$AA_Certificate.docx
~$Security CheckList.xlsx

The warning can make it harder to review the 'real' warnings, how do I prevent the program from searching these file types?

asked Apr 21, 2021 by dave (30.1k points)

1 Answer

dave · Answer 1 · 2021-04-21T08:23:58+0000

You can exclude those file types from searches by using the Persistent Search Filter option.

Step 1 - Click on the filter button

Persistent search filter button

Step 2 - Add a new filter

Click the 'Add...' button to add a new filter and choose the 'File name' option and use the expression:

NOT:<~$

For example:

Adding new temporary file filter

Click the 'Save' button to save the filter and close the dialog.

Step 3 - Switch the new filter on

Click the check box to make sure the filter is switched on.

Switch filter on

Subsequent searches should now exclude those temporary files, which you can verify in the Summary tab:

Summary tab