how do i get finder to search in a folder?

That's weird. Select the folder instead of this mac is supposed to restrict the search.

As quick test, login to a new user account and see if the same problem is happening (I fully expect it will not happen).

If things work in another account, we will know that the problem is specific to your account.

I would start by deleting Finder preferences, then logging out and back in. This ought to fix it.

To delete Finder preferences, press Command-Shift-G and paste

~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

Drag the file out of the folder. You can put it in the trash, or park it on the desktop.

Then log out and back in.

Finder Preferences > Advanced > When performing a search: [Search the Current Folder]. This is what I use.

With the Finder settings that I provided, I have a Finder window open on in a folder with the following hierarchy. I copy the five text files from the dir3 location to my Desktop. In the open Finder window of the Metadata directory, I enter the following search string in the Finder window:

name:c

This returns a window with 10 c*.txt files in the Metadata hierarchy, and none of the c*.txt files that I copied to the Desktop. Big Sur 11.4.

Tree:



Tim, without neglecting Luis's EtreCheck Pro suggestion, look in your ~/Library/Caches folder and see if there are com.apple.finder and com.apple.Spotlight folders in it. If so, drag these to the Desktop, log out, and sign back into your normal account. See if the current folder search issue is resolved.

Use the Additional text toolbar item below to post the copy/pasted Etrecheck report too.

I have the same issue, but only for attached external hard disks. Files are found correctly over all internal and external storage using "This Mac." When I try to restrict the search to a desired folder on an attached HDD, search comes up with a blank.

Thanks to @Luis Sequeria1 and @VikingOSX I've deleted the 3 library files: ...plist, ...finder, and ...spotlight. Logged out, restarted my iMac, logged back in. No joy, same behavior throughout.

Odd, and wish I had an answer.

That's good advice, but the OP is saying that even when the folder is selected the search results contain stuff from elsewhere in his mac.

Yes, I fully understand that, and it is working correctly for me also; but the OP says it does not work for him.

Let's see what Tim's results are after he applies my Finder Preferences recommendation. Knowing the Spotlight search arguments may also lead to refinements there too.

Before you do that, please run Etrecheck and post its full report here. We may be able to spot something in the report that may help.