Limit search to specified Folders or File Types in Visual Studio?

Yes, in the find/replace window you can:

  • specify the file types in the "Look at these file types" option
  • and choose the folders in the ... button of the "Look in" option.

Find and Replace Window


I can't believe this issue still exists in VS2015. We have a solution explorer folder tree. Why is "Current Selected Folder" not an option in the drop down. The "..." doesn't default to starting in the solution folder, I have to browse across the network to t the share, then drill down through all the folders to get at a folder that is ALREADY right there and selected in the solution explorer. Dreamweaver has had this functionality for its search for at least a decade (maybe longer).


Fastest folder search in VS:

As said in other answers, there is no immediate way to limit your search to a given folder within the current solution. (There are at least 3 feature requests for this in visualstudio.uservoice.com that have all been closed for lack of upvotes.)

But here is the fastest workaround that I could find.
Works without leaving VS and with keystrokes only (no mouse action required):

  • In Solution Explorer select the folder to search within.
  • Press Ctrl-C (copies folder path to clipboard).
  • Press Ctrl-Shift-F to open "Find in Files".
  • Enter your search term, then press Tab to forward the cursor to the "Look in" field.
  • Press Ctrl-V to paste in the folder path from clipboard.

  1. Click Find in Files
  2. Choose search folders three dots button "..."
  3. Choose desired folder
  4. Verify folder name and click desired action

Click Find in Files

Choose search folders

Choose desired folder Verify folder name and click desired action