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Finder search not finding files that are actually there

I've already forced Finder to quit and tried again - but Finder still doesn't find a file that actually exists. What's going on?

MacBook Pro 15", macOS 10.14

Posted on Mar 12, 2020 12:42 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Mar 12, 2020 10:33 AM

The Finder uses Spotlight for searching, and it sometimes needs to be forced to re-index its database. Here's how:


https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201716


This might take some time! Hope this helps you! Regards, Ian.

5 replies

Mar 12, 2020 1:41 AM in response to silver_mica

silver_mica Said:

"Finder search not finding files that are actually there: I've already forced Finder to quit and tried again - but Finder still doesn't find a file that actually exists. What's going on?"

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Try Spotlight Search:

Try Spotlight Search, and see if these files pop up: [Hold Down: command + Press: spacebar ]


Type the name of the file:

Finder search not finding files that are actually there

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