Windows 7 search file contents: how can I; or is it another regression?

[Cerb]

I want to search in the contents of all files in a directory for certain text. Allegedly, I should be able to use *phrase or contenthrase to get the job done. Of course, neither work. I can open files and find basic search terms in them, but search isn't getting them.

Is there a way to do this in Windows 7?

P.S. I can find indexing options, but
a) I don't want to wait for indexing (I want 2k/XP's GREP-like functionality from the FM) GUI, and
b) the indexing options only appear to affect files with extensions, that Windows has some other clues about

 

[ViRGE]

I can only give you half an answer, but B is always true regardless of the search mode. Windows can't check the contents of any file if it doesn't know how to read it. You can tell what file types Windows can read the contents of when looking at the File Types section of the search index controls. All file types with a description of "File Properties Filter" can not be read by Windows.