When you search for a file in Windows Windows searches
only for file types it recognizes. Files that aren't
listed in the 'Registered file types' list are ignored.
A simple edit of the Registry will make Windows search
for every file, regardless of its extension.
Open the Registry Editor as described above, and then
navigate to and select:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ContentIndex.
Double-click the FilterFilesWithUnknownExtensions icon
in the right pane, change the 0 in the 'Value data' box
to 1, and press Enter.
To ensure that Windows XP searches for every possible
file, select All Files and Folders under 'Type of file'
in the Search Companion pane. (If you don't see this
option, click More Advanced Options.) Check Search system
folders, Search hidden files and folders, and Search
subfolders (as desired). In Windows 2000, click Search
Options, check Type, and make sure that (All Files and
Folders) is selected in the resulting drop-down menu.
Check Advanced Options, and make sure Search Subfolders
is checked. Finally, to ensure that Windows 2000 finds
system and hidden files, choose Tools, Folder Options
and click the View tab. In the 'Advanced settings' list,
select Show hidden files and folders. Uncheck Hide
protected operating system files (Recommended), click
Yes to acknowledge the warning, and finish by clicking OK.