The Windows 11 search bar isn't locating GIMP .xcf files.
The Windows 11 search bar isn't locating GIMP .xcf files.
In the past ... since Windows 8, I've relied on Classic Shell to achieve the familiar Windows 7 appearance we all appreciate.
With classic shell, I could easily locate files by pressing the Windows key, typing "floor plans 2022.xcf" and opening it in Gimp.
Recently, I re-imaged my computer to Windows 11 Pro and tried using the default Windows 11 interface search.
When searching for "floor plans 2022.xcf" or "*.xcf", nothing appeared.
In fact, searching for "." or ".xcf" also returned no results.
Looking for file types like docx, .jpg or .png showed the correct files in the Windows start search.
To clarify, I wasn't looking for a preview thumbnail of an .xcf file, just a simple confirmation that the file exists so I could open it.
I reviewed Indexing Options > Advanced Options > File Types and confirmed that xcf was checked with "Index properties only" (changed to contents as well, let it complete).
I also checked Indexing Options and found that the entire drive containing these files had been indexed, and indexing was finished.
In the search settings, it displayed 228218 Indexed files and 0 Pending.
Now, when I open a file explorer and navigate to the root of that drive, I get 3884 .xcf files in about half a second—suggesting they are indeed indexed.
This leads me to believe xcf files are properly indexed.
I just seem to struggle with using the start menu search tool.
Any suggestions or should I reinstall Classic Shell?
When a .xcf file is detected, it can be clicked to open it using GIMP - correct? Is GIMP the standard application for .xcf files?
When a .xcf file is detected, it can be clicked to open it using GIMP - correct? Is GIMP the standard application for .xcf files?
It seems Microsoft resolved the problem during a prior Windows update. I can now locate .xcf files using the Windows search feature!