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 No files were found to look in.

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Microsoft Visual Studio 2005/.NET Framework 2.0

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No files were found to look in. 

This error generally occurs when a file name or directory has been specified in the Look in list and that file name or directory does not exist or cannot be found. This error can also appear if you specify a valid directory that does not contain the file extension specified in the File types list or the directory specified does not contain any files.

To correct this error

  1. Use the Custom Directory Set dialog box to browse to the directory or file name to search rather than typing in the path or file name. You can access the Custom Directory Set dialog box by choosing the ellipsis button next to the Look in list.

  2. Change the file extension specified in the File types list to *.* to search all files in the specified directory.

See Also

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'No files were found to look in": Find in Files IDE Problem      DrX   |   Edit   |   Show History

This one will make you chuckle: to fix this error, make sure your IDE has focus and press.. wait for it.. Ctrl+Scroll Lock. I'll say that again.. Ctl+Scroll Lock.
Better believe it.

Credit goes to:

http://blogs.ugidotnet.org/franny/archive/2005/12/08/31303.aspx

DrX

Still not working...      jgoeke   |   Edit   |   Show History
What about when you have selected a path and specified *.* as the extension and the search STILL returns "No files were found to look in." What is wierd is if I select "Entire Solution" or any of the other options, the search works fine, it simply won't work when a path is specified.....
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What is the definition of CONTROL+SCROLL LOCK      QuiteGood001   |   Edit   |   Show History
I have seen many posts telling the solution is CONTROL + SCROLL LOCK but I have been unable to find anything that tells what CONTROL + SCROLL LOCK is supposed to do. Does anybody know what this hotkey's definition is?
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Try Alt + Break instead      dbates   |   Edit   |   Show History
Control + Scroll Lock didn't work for me in VS 2005, but the Alt + Break did the trick. Credit goes to a comment on the above mentioned blog. Talk about an obscure fix. That was odd.
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ctl + scroll lock worked for me      Matt_FL   |   Edit   |   Show History
The combination "ctl + scroll lock" did the trick for me in VS 2005! Wow odd solution, but it works so I'm happy.
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Alt Break worked for me, in VS2008 Express      davetheguru   |   Edit   |   Show History
This problem still exists in VS 2008! - Alt + Break fixed it for me, instead of Ctl + Scroll Lock. Would someone at Microsoft please fix this bug - its been around for about 10 years now...

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Ctrl+ScrollLock fixed it in VS 2008 Standard      eleezeeum   |   Edit   |   Show History
Whatever that is!!
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Ctrl + ScrollLock fixed for me, VS 2005      Neel83   |   Edit   |   Show History
Thanks a lot..i was really tense coz i can't work without this.....really odd.. seems like it is VS cheat code.
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this seems a bit ridiculous      RichardGunkersoneyville   |   Edit   |   Show History
what's the root cause here? why has this bug survived so many years through so many versions? Why would "find" ever depend on the state of these keys?
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The reason Ctrl + ScrollLock works      BobAck   |   Edit   |   Show History
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