At the top level menus, select 'Search' -> 'File Search' Then near the bottom (in the scope) there is a choice to select the entire workspace.
For your "File search has encountered a problem", you need to refresh the files in your workspace, in the Project/Package Explorer, right click and select "Refresh" at any level (project, folder, file). This will sync your workspace with the underlying file system and prevent the problem.
You will get an window, you can give either simple search text or regx pattern. Once you enter your search keyword click Search and make sure that Scope is Workspace.
eclipse instasearch plugin is a very useful plugin for search needs inside eclipse.
It is based on lucene. This is also available in eclipse marketplace.
It has extensive feature set.
Instantly shows search results
Shows a preview using relevant lines
Periodically updates the index
Matches partial words (e.g. case in CamelCase)
Opens and highlights matches in files
Searches JAR source attachments
Supports filtering by extension/project/working set
Eclipse does not search if the "File name patterns" field is empty.
So, if you want to search some text, write within "Containing text" field
and leave by default "File name patterns" with asterisk (*).