Why can't Spotlight search for a particular file?

[miw]

Hello, I am pretty new with Mac and I am trying out my new macbook pro. I'm trying to get to know it. And a while ago I was trying the Spotlight feature. I have a file under User/Library/Preferences/ that is called com.yahoo.messenger3.users.myname123.plist

I just thought I'd try to search for it on Spotlight if it can find it. I typed myname123 on spotlight but no results were found. Why? Are there any specific strings that should be entered if the search string is between a filename?

 

[GGJstudios]

Spotlight will not search the Library folders. Use Finder to search those, adding the criteria to include system files in the search.

 

[miw]

Hi, I tried Finder and looked at its Preferences but I can't find where I can add the criteria for it to search on System Files. Where am I supposed to see that? Thanks in advance!

 

[spinnerlys]

Open Finder window,

press CMD+F,​

go to the drop down menu where it says KIND,​

select Other...​

and then select System files in the Attribute column,​

and check the In Menu column, if you want to see it next time in the search window.​

That's at least what I just found out.

 

[miw]

It worked! Thank you 🙂