Sometime, it’s useful to be able to search for information that is inside the Office documents, instead of just looking at file name. Microsoft Filter Packs is a single point-of-distribution for Office IFilters. IFilters are components that allow search services to index content of specific file types, allowing user to search for content (i.e. text within the document) in those files. In other words, Office 2010 Filter Packs enhance the default search capabilities of Microsoft Search Services in SharePoint, SQL Server, Exchange Server and Windows Search used in Windows server or client platforms such as Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2.

By installing Microsoft Office 2010 Filter Packs, the following IFilters will be installed, and system will have additional capability to search for content in the file types or extensions listed below:

  • Legacy Office Filter (version 97-2003; .doc, .ppt, .xls)
  • Metro Office Filter (version 2007 and 2010; .docx, .docm, .pptx, .pptm, .xlsx, .xlsm, .xlsb)
  • Zip Filter (.zip)
  • OneNote filter (.one)
  • Visio Filter (.vdx, .vsd, .vss, .vst, .vdx, .vsx, .vtx)
  • Publisher Filter
  • Open Document Format Filter

Windows Search Services was previously known as Windows Indexing Services. The filter packs support Windows 7; Windows Server 2003 SP2; Windows Server 2008 R2; Windows Server 2008 SP2; Windows Vista SP1 ;Windows XP SP2; and Windows XP SP3. As it’s a filter, the Microsoft Filter Pack requires the Microsoft Search Service.

Download Microsoft Office 2010 Filter Packs from Microsoft Download Center or by using the following direct download links:

32-bit (x86): FilterPack32bit.exe
64-bit (x64): FilterPack64bit.exe