PDF Search fix for Windows 7 64-bit

The Scan Man has run into several clients recently who complained that they were not getting any search results when looking for text contained within searchable PDF’s.  The common thread was that they were all using Windows 7 64-bit Search.

Brooks Duncan, publisher of the Document Snap blog, has a great test and solution.  The Scan Man has applied the fix to about a dozen machines.  Today, I installed the solution on 2 Macs in the Windows partition, and it worked great. From the Document Snap blog:

What Is The Problem?

Windows 7′s search capabilities are pretty good, but for some reason the 64-bit has a problem indexing PDF files. Windows Search uses something called an iFilter to help it index files, and the PDF iFilter for 64-bit Windows is missing. (This probably applies to 64-bit Vista and 64-bit XP too).

Here is how to tell if you have the problem:

• Click on the Start Menu and choose Control Panel
• Change View By to Small Icons and click on Indexing Options
• Click on the Advanced button
• Click on the File Types tab
• Scroll way down to pdf and you will probably see Registered IFilter Is Not Found

If you see that message, you have the iFilter problem.  Visit the DocumentSnap website for the complete instructions for installing the Adobe IFilter.  The process takes about 4 minutes and is very easy.

Download the Fix from Adobe: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=4025