What causes case sensitive searches on my iMac?

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Level 1

8 points

What causes case sensitive searches on my iMac?

My iMac Retina 5K, from 2017, running macOS Ventura 13.7.6, has started making all searches case-sensitive. It has begun recently in the last few weeks. I frequently have case locked and end up typing some things in all caps, depending on where they are filed and maintained. Other people often send me files and folders with different cases. I need all of these files to show up, not just those with caps or partial caps. I'm reasonably adept, but not a professional by any means. As I age, I'm beginning to feel like I'm less and less capable. What would have caused this recent change and how can I switch back to case insensitive searches?

[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Original Title: Case sensitive file searches

iMac (2017 – 2020)

Posted on Jul 15, 2025 09:14 AM

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Answer 1

lkrupp

Level 7

21,159 points

Jul 15, 2025 09:34 AM in response to rphlipper

So what are you using to search files? Finder? Spotlight? Third party search app?

For Finder searches open a Finder window, start a search (command+F), under Kind select Other... and check to see if Raw Query is checked. Raw Query enabled makes searches case sensitive. If it’s not check then toggle it on/off a few times. I found this by doing a basic search so be aware, not everything out here is accurate. Your mileage may vary.

By default both Finder and Spotlight searches are not case sensitive.

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