If you have a lot of documents or compressed files on your computer, it is easy to lose track of them. The out-of-the-box Windows search function does an okay job at finding things, but when it comes to searching by the contents of a document or zip file, it just doesn’t cut it. Microsoft realized this and created the Office 2010 Filter Pack to improve search functionality. This pack also supports all of the older extensions (2007, and 2003) so this new one is all you need.
Wait, What Does It Do?
This downloadable filter pack from Microsoft will enable you to use Windows (Start Menu search) to search not only document titles, but also the text within your documents. The filter pack supports searching in the following file types:
Download Office 2010 Filter Packs
Visit the Microsoft Download Center [download link] and grab your filter packs! Make sure you get the version that matches your operating system; there is both a 32-bit and a 64-bit. If you aren’t sure what bit operating system you are running, read this quick guide! These filter packs will work for Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP. Nobody is left out!
Once the file is done downloading, just run the FilterPack*bit.exe and to start setup. Installation is so simple that it is impossible to mess up, just Click Next a couple times and you are done.
Conclusion
The Office 2010 Filter pack is a groovy add-on for any Windows user, regardless of whether or not you even have Microsoft Office installed. In a test below after installing the update Windows was able to search the contents of all of my documents and find what I was looking for.
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