Q: Folders don't show up in Finder Searches

The default search is already Kind is Any, so I'm confused about why you would need to do that.

Typing in the Search field will give you the option of choosing file names or contents.

Also, if you want to do a File Name search, use cmd-ctrl-F.

However, when I type a term into the search field, folders are returned.      

There is another thread where the person had the same issue with Spotlight searches. https://discussions.apple.com/message/21592327#21592327

Spotlight Alternatives

Find Any File

Spotlight – 5 things You Never Knew

Are you talking about a regular finder window, or after you have used Cmd-F or Find in the File menu?

From what you describe, it sounds like you are editing a saved search, and not just "finding" normally.

When you select Find, you should see something like this:

Spotlight is the indexing and search technology that Apple uses to find things. You can do a "Spotlight Search" by typing a string into the Spotlight search field in the menu bar.

Whether you use the Finder, or Spotlight in the menu bar, Spotlight is used to do the search.

Is the icon on the folder you are opening purple with a gear on it? Or, are you starting from All My Files?

If so, that is a search folder. It already has search criteria defined. That is why you must change it.

You don't have to use Cmd-F, but you do have to start from a normal folder, and not a search folder.

If you are not starting from a Search folder, where are you seeing "Show Search Criteria." I cannot get that anywhere on a normal folder?

Another tip, if you want to search the folder you have selected, open Finder Preferences, Advanced tab, and set "When performing a search:" to "Search the Current Folder"

Or, set it to your liking.

EDIT:

A search folder had a defined search criteria set. It isn't an actual folder that holds files and other folders. It is merely the results of a pre-definded search. If you search a Search folder, you are just adding additional search criteria to the already defined criteria.

When you search a normal folder, it doesn't have any other criteria defined.

In Finder preferences, General, do you have it set to display "All my files" when you open a new Finder Window? That would cause the problem you describe. All my files is a search folder.

Whatever you'd like it to be. Since it is set to show "All My Files" in any new window, you will always get a Search Folder window when you open a new window.

You can set it to always show your Home folder, or your hard drive, or a folder you pick. Just depends on what you want to see. If you want it to be All My Files, that is fine, just realize it is always a search folder and you will have to modify the search criteria.

I don't like all the stuff shown in All My Files, so I don't even have it show up in the sidebar. I'd rather start from the known actual locations, Documents, Music, Pictures, etc. I have my windows always open to my Home, then I can get to any of the other folders easily.

my problem is that 1)command+space bar no longer give me spotlight. 2)And the finder search window no longer shows me the folders.

I solved the problem 1)with setting the Keyboard shortcut back to command+space bar, for some reason, the default on El Capitan is Option+space bar

And 2) in the "view" menu (besides File, Edit ...), I click show "Toolbar".

nosna wrote:

 

for some reason, the default on El Capitan is Option+space bar

It is not. I don't know why yours would change, though.