Windows11 File Explorer search box does not search subfolders with "File contents" enabled

“File contents” does not guarantee that every nested location is indexed. Explorer should search subfolders, but exclusions, unsupported file filters, permissions, or an incomplete index can produce top-level-only results.

Start from the parent folder and choose Search options, All subfolders. Test with a unique phrase inside a plain text file two levels down, using content:"unique phrase". Open Settings, Privacy & security, Searching Windows and confirm the parent folder is not excluded. In Advanced indexing options, verify the folder is included and, under File Types, that the extension uses “Index Properties and File Contents.” Rebuild the index and let it finish before retesting.

If the text file is found but another format is not, that format’s filter is the limitation. If neither is found, copy the test tree under your user profile. Success there indicates an exclusion, permission, or special-folder boundary in the original location rather than a general Explorer failure.