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I'm wondering if there are any hidden prefs (to be read via defaults) that would alter default search parameters for Finder.

Currently search string is searched in contents of a file (by default). Is there a way to alter it to search in file name?

Search in Finder

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This has changed - in the way you would like it to work - from Leopard to Snow Leopard. It has been a gripe a lot of people had (incl. me). I know this does not answer your question, so it's only a comment. – Wolf Sep 13 '09 at 11:36
one more reason for an upgrade .) thanks! – Eimantas Sep 13 '09 at 12:27
+1 - When I want to search for content, it is usually spontaneous, from any app, so I use the Spotlight shortcut (command-space) When I am in finder, it is usually to manipulate a specific file. I know the file name, I just don't know where it is. – benc Aug 7 '10 at 17:00
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Google turned up a promising link

http://www.macosxhints.com/article.php?story=20050501162147222

I'll try to sort out the steps and post something simple, here.

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Has anybody got that to work on 10.6? I haven't. I have another idea for a solution, I need to play with it a bit, but I'll probably be back to post an answer soon :) – cwd Mar 17 '11 at 14:27
@cwd I couldn't get it to work on 10.6 either. But I just added updated instructions to osx - Make search by file name default in Finder - Super User. – Lri Mar 31 '11 at 17:15
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up vote 1 down vote

This also looks very good:

http://techblog.willshouse.com/2011/03/31/set-finder-to-search-file-name-instead-of-contents-on-mac-os-x-leopard/

Works for me with OS X 10.6

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Would you mind adding the steps to your answer? It'd help to have everything here in case the link goes offline. That'd be awesome! – slhck Aug 20 '11 at 10:28
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