How to create a spotlight search for all files inside a folder?

In Lion, you have All My Files to search everything in your home folder. However, when you activate finder's spotlight, via command + F you can start searching only by first typing something.

How can I search for everything in one particular folder (say, external HDD) without specifying a search token?

Solution 1:

After some more research, it reminds me that finder's spotlight had boolean UI since OS X 10.5. You can filter for "not a folder" for All My Files experience, or with a little bit more filter for "all files".

It feels a bit hack-y though.

Solution 2:

You can create a saved search similar to "All My Files" but only searching a specific folder:

1. Open the folder you want to search

2. Enter -kind:folder into the search field

3. At the top of the window make sure to choose to search only the folder you're in. It will select "This Mac" by default, unless you've changed your Finder preferences.

4. Click "Save" (directly under the search field) to save your search and add it to the sidebar.

5. (Optional) Change the window to icon view, then change View Options (Cmd+J) to arrange by Kind and sort by Date Last Opened.